Alfa Romeo 164
Encyclopedia
The Alfa Romeo 164 is an executive car
with saloon body, produced by the Italian
automaker
Alfa Romeo
from 1987 to 1998.
The 164 was re-badged as the 168 for the Hong Kong
and Malaysian markets, as the number "164" had a very negative connotation (In Chinese it is a homophone to "一路死" — all the way to death), and "168" has quite the opposite ("一路發" — all the way to prosperity).
), and was most notably the first large front-wheel drive Alfa. The 164 was essential to Fiat's plan to relaunch Alfa Romeo as a prestige car brand after the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The 164 was the last Alfa saloon to be sold in the North America
n market, where only the 3.0 L V6 was offered (12-valve from 1991 to 1993, 24-valve from 1994 to 1995).
It was quite successful in Europe, attracting keen drivers who wanted an affordable and reliable sports saloon as an alternative to the German offerings of BMW
and Mercedes-Benz
.
The 164 was discontinued and replaced by the Alfa Romeo 166
in 1998. 273,857 had been produced.
in 1987, shortly after completing the Ferrari Testarossa
. The 164 can be seen to share several styling design ideas with the Ferrari expressed as a four-door saloon. In concern for heritage, the design is also the logical extension and successor of the Alfetta
, particularly the late-model "long nose, square light".
The 164 was the first Alfa to feature extensive use of computer aided design for calculating structural stresses, resulting in a very rigid but still relatively lightweight body. The 164 was the basis of the Type Four platform, which it shares with Lancia Thema
, Fiat Croma
and Saab 9000
. Being the last to reach the market, the 164's bodyshell was the most aerodynamic of the four, and had a markedly sleeker profile and lower coefficient of drag. In order to permit this design variation, an exclusive front suspension was developed.
The 164 was the first of the "new technology" Alfa Romeos, and is the technological and styling basis of all Alfas to the present day.
The 164 also introduced dramatically improved build quality over previous Alfas, featuring galvanised
steel frame and various body panels for the first time, ending the most common complaint by Alfa customers about rust
problems encountered in older models such as the Alfasud and the GTV.
Even though some purists feared of loss of character due to the adoption of front-wheel drive
for the first time in an Alfa top-line saloon, the car proved itself as a comfortable and sure-footed car, with a distinctively sporting character, inline with the marque's tradition. In fact, the motorpress of the day found its only fault to be some torque steer, particularly in earlier versions.
Equipped with the most complex wiring loom of any Alfa Romeo, the 164 was designed to compete in the executive car
segment dominated by the German cars. It offered better value for money in terms of technology (having three onboard computers, one for air conditioning
, one for instrumentation, and one for engine management; air conditioning and instrument functions shared a multiple-mode coded Z-80-class microcontroller for dashboard functioning). Air-direction within the ventilation system was controlled by a pair of servomechanism
s, which were constructed using notoriously fragile plastic gears and were prone to failure; possible high part costs are alleviated by the commonality of these parts with the 166
. At least one aftermarket company has also developed metal replacement gears which eliminates the breakage issue.
The car had some very advanced features for its day, such as automatic climate control and electronically controlled damping suspension (in the top-line Cloverleaf models and 164S). This suspension actively reduced damping in response to conditions to provide a dynamic compromise between road holding and comfort. The 164 also boasted engines rated among the best in the industry at the time, and the same basic engine designs were used until very recently by Alfa Romeo across its model range.
In 1993 Alfa introduced a four wheel drive
variant called the Q4 (short for Quadrifoglio 4), which was equipped with an even more powerful version of the 3.0L V6 engine. The Q4 four-wheel-drive system (Viscomatic) was co-developed with the Austrian company Steyr-Puch. The system was very advanced when compared to other 4WD systems at that time. The system consisted of a viscous coupling unit, central epicyclic differential and Torsen
differential in the rear. The whole system is connected to ABS and Motronic units. The power driven to the rear axle is continuously variable from 0 to 100%, so the car can be fully front- or rear-wheel-drive as conditions require. Torque is distributed between axles depending on the speed, turning radius, engine rpms, throttle position and ABS parametrics. This model was equipped with a Getrag
6-speed manual gearbox.
's last design effort prior to the 164 was the Ferrari Testarossa. The design ideas present in the Testarossa were developed in the 164 within the brief of a four-door saloon. Examples of this include the wedge-profile which is reminiscent of the Testarossa, and the three grooved cheat lines running down the side of the 164's false door-panels and bumpers recall the air intake strakes, and the processed lip of these panels also recall the stylistic separation of elements of the Ferrari.
The wedged notch running down the length of the vehicle is a unique and striking design feature, which helped earn the 164 a unique place in automotive styling annals. It is often described as the most important and greatest example of styling for the year of its introduction, 1987.
The 164 has also been described as a more significant, though no less important departure for Alfa as the well known 'Monstro', the Alfa Romeo SZ
of 1988.
Styled by Pininfarina
, the 164's exterior bore a more than a passing resemblance to the Peugeot 605
, launched a year later, and also styled by Pininfarina
. This is particularly apparent in the wedge-shaped body and in the longitudinal groove along the side of both cars. However, individual stylistic treatment given by features such as the integration of the traditional Alfa triangular grille
, elongated in the hood, and the full-width rear light cluster distinguished the 164 from its French counterpart.
The 164's styling cues have been carried over to contemporary late-series 33
s, and to the 155, and the aerodynamic
wedge shape introduced in the 164 remains a visible design feature in all subsequent Alfa Romeos into the present day.
engine with two spark plugs per cylinder. Apart from that, this engine was also notable for having a two-stage valve timing system (before Honda
's famous VTEC
), and an induction valve blade-type system, aimed at improving low-end torque.
The block of the Twin Spark was the same 2.0 L that had been a part of Alfa's road and race car history since the 1930s. This was intended to give buyers a strong sense of heritage, as well as a significant advantage in terms of reliability. New to the engine was the introduction of fuel injection
, controlled by a Bosch
Motronic
system.
A very sophisticated engine, with a traditional Alfa chain-driven DOHC cylinder head, a single cooling fan and generator belt, drastically improved reliability and reduced parasitic friction. The battery of all 164s is placed in the trunk to achieve a close 50:50 weight distribution.
Next was a turbocharged 2.0 L 8-valve engine, derived from the Lancia Thema
i.e. Turbo, and including an overboost feature (this was later replaced by a turbocharged V6 in some markets).
The top-line engine was the 3.0 L "Arese" V6 designed by Giuseppe Busso
originally for the Alfa 6.
Initially it was of the older 12v design but was later revised to 24 valves for the QV model.
The 3.0 L 24 valve V6 was also used to power the four-wheel drive
Q4 variant.
For some markets, a turbocharged 2.0 L V6 was developed, based from the 3.0 L engine with reduced displacement and a very sophisticated engine management system from Bosch
.
Finally, there was also a turbodiesel
version with an engine sourced from the Italian engine maker VM Motori
. Rated at 125 PS (92 kW), even this weakest version was capable to propel the 164 past the 200 kilometre per hour mark. This was the fastest diesel saloon in those days.
, which in turn served as the basis of the new Alfa Romeo Spider
. The 164 also served as the basis of the Italdesign Scighera
supercar concept — interestingly, only the engine output was uprated, the majority of the car's underpinnings, and even its interior being shared with the 164 without significant change.
The Alfa Romeo 164 Pro-Car made in 1988 was a 3.5L V10 mid-engined racing car. The Alfa Romeo V10 engine was originally planned to be used for Ligier Formula One cars and produced 620 bhp at 13300 rpm and 39 kgm of torque at 9500 rpm. Weighting only 750 kg (1,653 lb) the 164 Pro-Car achieved a top speed of 340 kilometre per hour and went quarter of a mile (~400 m) in only 9.7 seconds. It was planned to race in a special racing series (as a support event to Formula One Grands Prix). Alfa was only manufacturer who made a car for this series before it was canceled. Only one chassis with an Alfa Romeo V10 was built by Motor Racing Developments Ltd., the company behind the Brabham Formula One team, which was owned by Alfa Romeo at the time.
Executive car
Executive car is a British term that refers to a car's size and is used to describe an automobile larger than a large family car. In official use, the term is adopted by EuroNCAP, a European organisation founded to test car safety.- History :...
with saloon body, produced by the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
automaker
Automaker
The automotive industry designs, develops, manufactures, markets, and sells motor vehicles, and is one of the world's most important economic sectors by revenue....
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of cars. Founded as A.L.F.A. on June 24, 1910, in Milan, the company has been involved in car racing since 1911, and has a reputation for building expensive sports cars...
from 1987 to 1998.
The 164 was re-badged as the 168 for the Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and Malaysian markets, as the number "164" had a very negative connotation (In Chinese it is a homophone to "一路死" — all the way to death), and "168" has quite the opposite ("一路發" — all the way to prosperity).
Overview
First unveiled at the 1987 Frankfurt Motor Show, the 164 could be considered the first of the "new generation" of Alfa Romeos. It was the last model to be developed while the marque was still independent (although it was launched a few months after the purchase of the company by FiatFiat
FIAT, an acronym for Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino , is an Italian automobile manufacturer, engine manufacturer, financial, and industrial group based in Turin in the Italian region of Piedmont. Fiat was founded in 1899 by a group of investors including Giovanni Agnelli...
), and was most notably the first large front-wheel drive Alfa. The 164 was essential to Fiat's plan to relaunch Alfa Romeo as a prestige car brand after the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The 164 was the last Alfa saloon to be sold in the North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n market, where only the 3.0 L V6 was offered (12-valve from 1991 to 1993, 24-valve from 1994 to 1995).
It was quite successful in Europe, attracting keen drivers who wanted an affordable and reliable sports saloon as an alternative to the German offerings of BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
and Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
.
The 164 was discontinued and replaced by the Alfa Romeo 166
Alfa Romeo 166
The Alfa Romeo 166 is an executive car that was produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo between 1998 and 2007.The car was designed by Centro Stile Alfa Romeo under the control of Walter de'Silva, and was facelifted in 2003.- History :...
in 1998. 273,857 had been produced.
Design
The Alfa Romeo 164 was styled by PininfarinaPininfarina
Pininfarina S.p.A. is an Italian car design firm and coachbuilder in Cambiano, Italy.Founded as Società anonima Carrozzeria Pinin Farina in 1930 by automobile designer and builder Battista "Pinin" Farina, Pininfarina has been employed by a wide variety of high-end automobile manufacturers,...
in 1987, shortly after completing the Ferrari Testarossa
Ferrari Testarossa
The Ferrari Testarossa is a 12-cylinder mid-engine sports car manufactured by Ferrari, which went into production in 1984 as the successor to the Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer...
. The 164 can be seen to share several styling design ideas with the Ferrari expressed as a four-door saloon. In concern for heritage, the design is also the logical extension and successor of the Alfetta
Alfa Romeo Alfetta
Alfa Romeo GTV redirects here. For 916 series GTV see Alfa Romeo GTV & SpiderThe Alfa Romeo Alfetta is an Italian rear-wheel drive executive saloon car and fastback coupé produced from 1972 until 1987 by Alfa Romeo...
, particularly the late-model "long nose, square light".
The 164 was the first Alfa to feature extensive use of computer aided design for calculating structural stresses, resulting in a very rigid but still relatively lightweight body. The 164 was the basis of the Type Four platform, which it shares with Lancia Thema
Lancia Thema
The Lancia Thema is an executive car produced by the Italian automaker Lancia between 1984 and 1994, and one of four cars to share the Type Four platform alongside the Alfa Romeo 164, Fiat Croma and Saab 9000...
, Fiat Croma
Fiat Croma
The Fiat Croma is a nameplate used for two automobiles produced by Italian automaker Fiat, one a large family car built from 1985 to 1996 and the other a cross-over wagon built from 2005 to 2011.- Fiat Croma :...
and Saab 9000
Saab 9000
The Saab 9000 is an automobile that was produced by the Swedish company Saab from 1984 to 1997. The 9000 was replaced by the 9-5 in the late 1997....
. Being the last to reach the market, the 164's bodyshell was the most aerodynamic of the four, and had a markedly sleeker profile and lower coefficient of drag. In order to permit this design variation, an exclusive front suspension was developed.
The 164 was the first of the "new technology" Alfa Romeos, and is the technological and styling basis of all Alfas to the present day.
The 164 also introduced dramatically improved build quality over previous Alfas, featuring galvanised
Galvanization
Galvanization is the process of applying a protective zinc coating to steel or iron, in order to prevent rusting. The term is derived from the name of Italian scientist Luigi Galvani....
steel frame and various body panels for the first time, ending the most common complaint by Alfa customers about rust
Rust
Rust is a general term for a series of iron oxides. In colloquial usage, the term is applied to red oxides, formed by the reaction of iron and oxygen in the presence of water or air moisture...
problems encountered in older models such as the Alfasud and the GTV.
Even though some purists feared of loss of character due to the adoption of front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
for the first time in an Alfa top-line saloon, the car proved itself as a comfortable and sure-footed car, with a distinctively sporting character, inline with the marque's tradition. In fact, the motorpress of the day found its only fault to be some torque steer, particularly in earlier versions.
Equipped with the most complex wiring loom of any Alfa Romeo, the 164 was designed to compete in the executive car
Executive car
Executive car is a British term that refers to a car's size and is used to describe an automobile larger than a large family car. In official use, the term is adopted by EuroNCAP, a European organisation founded to test car safety.- History :...
segment dominated by the German cars. It offered better value for money in terms of technology (having three onboard computers, one for air conditioning
Air conditioning
An air conditioner is a home appliance, system, or mechanism designed to dehumidify and extract heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle...
, one for instrumentation, and one for engine management; air conditioning and instrument functions shared a multiple-mode coded Z-80-class microcontroller for dashboard functioning). Air-direction within the ventilation system was controlled by a pair of servomechanism
Servomechanism
thumb|right|200px|Industrial servomotorThe grey/green cylinder is the [[Brush |brush-type]] [[DC motor]]. The black section at the bottom contains the [[Epicyclic gearing|planetary]] [[Reduction drive|reduction gear]], and the black object on top of the motor is the optical [[rotary encoder]] for...
s, which were constructed using notoriously fragile plastic gears and were prone to failure; possible high part costs are alleviated by the commonality of these parts with the 166
Alfa Romeo 166
The Alfa Romeo 166 is an executive car that was produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo between 1998 and 2007.The car was designed by Centro Stile Alfa Romeo under the control of Walter de'Silva, and was facelifted in 2003.- History :...
. At least one aftermarket company has also developed metal replacement gears which eliminates the breakage issue.
The car had some very advanced features for its day, such as automatic climate control and electronically controlled damping suspension (in the top-line Cloverleaf models and 164S). This suspension actively reduced damping in response to conditions to provide a dynamic compromise between road holding and comfort. The 164 also boasted engines rated among the best in the industry at the time, and the same basic engine designs were used until very recently by Alfa Romeo across its model range.
Alfa Romeo 164 Q4
Four Wheel Drive
The Four Wheel Drive Auto Company, more often known as Four Wheel Drive or just FWD, was founded in 1909 in Clintonville, Wisconsin, as the Badger Four-Wheel Drive Auto Company by Otto Zachow and William Besserdich.-History:...
variant called the Q4 (short for Quadrifoglio 4), which was equipped with an even more powerful version of the 3.0L V6 engine. The Q4 four-wheel-drive system (Viscomatic) was co-developed with the Austrian company Steyr-Puch. The system was very advanced when compared to other 4WD systems at that time. The system consisted of a viscous coupling unit, central epicyclic differential and Torsen
Torsen
Torsen is a type of differential used in automobiles. It was invented by American Vernon Gleasman and manufactured by the Gleason Corporation. Torsen is a contraction of Torque-Sensing...
differential in the rear. The whole system is connected to ABS and Motronic units. The power driven to the rear axle is continuously variable from 0 to 100%, so the car can be fully front- or rear-wheel-drive as conditions require. Torque is distributed between axles depending on the speed, turning radius, engine rpms, throttle position and ABS parametrics. This model was equipped with a Getrag
Getrag
Getrag is a leading manufacturer of automobile manual transmissions. The company was founded on 1 May 1935, in Ludwigsburg, Germany, by Hermann Hagenmeyer; as the Getriebe und Zahnradfabrik Hermann Hagenmeyer GmbH & Cie KG...
6-speed manual gearbox.
Development
The 164's development was by far the most demanding of any car manufactured by Alfa Romeo, and set the standard by which other European manufacturers would be measured.- Initial testing of the 164's dynamic elements began in 1984, where GiuliettaAlfa Romeo GiuliettaThe Alfa Romeo Giulietta was a subcompact automobile manufactured by the Italian car maker Alfa Romeo from 1954 to 1965. The Giulietta was introduced at the Turin Motor Show in 1954 and almost 132,000 were built in the Portello factory in Milan.The first Giulietta model was a coupé, the Giulietta...
s where used as test mules for engines and drivetrain. Initial handling bugs were ironed out on the factory's test track in AreseAreseArese is a comune in the Province of Milan in the Italian region Lombardy, located about northwest of Milan. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 19,333 and an area of ....
. - In 1985, the first pre-production 164's were put through their paces on the road. Heavily disguised, with many false panels and even a false nose design (borrowing heavily from the then equally undeveloped 155), sporting 4 round headlamps, these vehicle mules served to test the 164 for the gruelling 1 million kilometre static and road testing demanded of the design.
- In 1986 and 1987, the first 150 164's were given their pre-production testing. In terms of engineering demands, these exceeded every Alfa before, and by quite a substantial margin.
- In Morocco, desert testing saw 5 grey 164 Twinsparks and V6's undergo the equivalent of the Paris-Dakar rally. Road conditions varied from good tarmac to off-road conditions, and accelerometers confirmed the superiority of the 164 in terms of passenger comfort. This data was cross-confirmed in the engineering laboratory with a sophisticated dummy in the driver's seat, with accelerometers both in its seat, and in its ears to mimic that of the semi-circular canals of the ear.
- The Twinspark and the V6 underwent handling trials at Arese. The Twinspark displayed very mature driving manners at the limit, with minimal skid. The V6 displayed a 25% increase in at-the-limit skid, a natural consequence of its greater nose weight.
- ABS testing confirmed that the Twinspark has superior braking to the V6. Brake linings of the 164's were run at maximum braking until they literally glowed with heat, and displayed no deviation in form. The 164 was the first Alfa to feature slotted double-walled disc brakes. At no point were the discs drilled to release excess heat, the original design being demonstrated to be excellent.
- Acceleration testing confirmed the V6 was the superior performer in terms of speed. In line with Alfa Romeo's remarkable ability to get all cars to achieve their speedometer maximum point, 164's were tested to their design maximum — 240 km/h (149.1 mph). All achieved them, though the Twinspark displays reluctance to exceed 205 km/h (127.4 mph), and achieved 240 very slowly. The V6 achieved it easily, and maintained it, thus demonstrating Alfa's legendary performance.
- Sound production was tested in an anechoic chamber, the car being subjected to stress and road noise testing, with instruments and with live subjects at the wheel, on a specially designed rig.
- Electromagnetic stability of the complex electronic system was also tested, in an anechoic chamber equipped with EM emitters (radar).
- The 164 engines were run to destruction, the Twinspark proving to be the most robust, and with the longest possible engine life. The V6 displayed only 10% shorter overall engine life.
Styling
PininfarinaPininfarina
Pininfarina S.p.A. is an Italian car design firm and coachbuilder in Cambiano, Italy.Founded as Società anonima Carrozzeria Pinin Farina in 1930 by automobile designer and builder Battista "Pinin" Farina, Pininfarina has been employed by a wide variety of high-end automobile manufacturers,...
's last design effort prior to the 164 was the Ferrari Testarossa. The design ideas present in the Testarossa were developed in the 164 within the brief of a four-door saloon. Examples of this include the wedge-profile which is reminiscent of the Testarossa, and the three grooved cheat lines running down the side of the 164's false door-panels and bumpers recall the air intake strakes, and the processed lip of these panels also recall the stylistic separation of elements of the Ferrari.
The wedged notch running down the length of the vehicle is a unique and striking design feature, which helped earn the 164 a unique place in automotive styling annals. It is often described as the most important and greatest example of styling for the year of its introduction, 1987.
Alfa Romeo SZ
The Alfa Romeo SZ or ES-30 is a high-performance limited-production sports car/road-concept car built between 1989 and 1991 with partnership via Centro Stile Zagato, Centro Stile Alfa Romeo and Centro Stile Fiat...
of 1988.
Styled by Pininfarina
Pininfarina
Pininfarina S.p.A. is an Italian car design firm and coachbuilder in Cambiano, Italy.Founded as Società anonima Carrozzeria Pinin Farina in 1930 by automobile designer and builder Battista "Pinin" Farina, Pininfarina has been employed by a wide variety of high-end automobile manufacturers,...
, the 164's exterior bore a more than a passing resemblance to the Peugeot 605
Peugeot 605
The Peugeot 605 is an executive car produced by the French manufacturer Peugeot between 1989 and 1999, with a facelift in 1995.-History:The 605 was a saloon/sedan built on the same platform as the Citroën XM, and was successor to the unsuccessful Peugeot 604 which went out of production 4 years...
, launched a year later, and also styled by Pininfarina
Pininfarina
Pininfarina S.p.A. is an Italian car design firm and coachbuilder in Cambiano, Italy.Founded as Società anonima Carrozzeria Pinin Farina in 1930 by automobile designer and builder Battista "Pinin" Farina, Pininfarina has been employed by a wide variety of high-end automobile manufacturers,...
. This is particularly apparent in the wedge-shaped body and in the longitudinal groove along the side of both cars. However, individual stylistic treatment given by features such as the integration of the traditional Alfa triangular grille
Grille
A grille or grill is an opening of several slits side by side in a wall or metal sheet or other barrier, usually to let air or water enter and/or leave but keep larger objects including people and animals in or out.-Spelling:In the United States, "grille" is used to differentiate the automotive...
, elongated in the hood, and the full-width rear light cluster distinguished the 164 from its French counterpart.
The 164's styling cues have been carried over to contemporary late-series 33
Alfa Romeo 33
The Alfa Romeo 33 is a small family car produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo between 1983 and 1995. It was essentially an evolution of its predecessor, the Alfasud, which was based on the same floorplan, chassis and mechanicals albeit with some minor modifications...
s, and to the 155, and the aerodynamic
Aerodynamics
Aerodynamics is a branch of dynamics concerned with studying the motion of air, particularly when it interacts with a moving object. Aerodynamics is a subfield of fluid dynamics and gas dynamics, with much theory shared between them. Aerodynamics is often used synonymously with gas dynamics, with...
wedge shape introduced in the 164 remains a visible design feature in all subsequent Alfa Romeos into the present day.
Engines
The base 164 engine was the 2.0 L Twin Spark I4Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
engine with two spark plugs per cylinder. Apart from that, this engine was also notable for having a two-stage valve timing system (before Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
's famous VTEC
VTEC
VTEC is a valvetrain system developed by Honda to improve the volumetric efficiency of a four-stroke internal combustion engine. The VTEC system uses two camshaft profiles and electronically selects between the profiles. It was invented by Honda R&D engineer Ikuo Kajitani, and was the first system...
), and an induction valve blade-type system, aimed at improving low-end torque.
The block of the Twin Spark was the same 2.0 L that had been a part of Alfa's road and race car history since the 1930s. This was intended to give buyers a strong sense of heritage, as well as a significant advantage in terms of reliability. New to the engine was the introduction of fuel injection
Fuel injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
, controlled by a Bosch
Robert Bosch GmbH
Robert Bosch GmbH is a multinational engineering and electronics company headquartered in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. It is the world's largest supplier of automotive components...
Motronic
Motronic
Motronic is the trade name given to a range of digital engine-management systems developed by Robert Bosch GmbH, commonly known as Bosch.-Motronic ML1.x:Motronic ML1.x was one of the first digital engine-management systems developed by Bosch...
system.
A very sophisticated engine, with a traditional Alfa chain-driven DOHC cylinder head, a single cooling fan and generator belt, drastically improved reliability and reduced parasitic friction. The battery of all 164s is placed in the trunk to achieve a close 50:50 weight distribution.
Next was a turbocharged 2.0 L 8-valve engine, derived from the Lancia Thema
Lancia Thema
The Lancia Thema is an executive car produced by the Italian automaker Lancia between 1984 and 1994, and one of four cars to share the Type Four platform alongside the Alfa Romeo 164, Fiat Croma and Saab 9000...
i.e. Turbo, and including an overboost feature (this was later replaced by a turbocharged V6 in some markets).
The top-line engine was the 3.0 L "Arese" V6 designed by Giuseppe Busso
Giuseppe Busso
Giuseppe Busso was an Alfa Romeo and Ferrari technical designer.Born in Turin, he graduated as an industrial designer, and In 1937 began working for Fiat in its aviation engine department....
originally for the Alfa 6.
Initially it was of the older 12v design but was later revised to 24 valves for the QV model.
The 3.0 L 24 valve V6 was also used to power the four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
Q4 variant.
For some markets, a turbocharged 2.0 L V6 was developed, based from the 3.0 L engine with reduced displacement and a very sophisticated engine management system from Bosch
Robert Bosch GmbH
Robert Bosch GmbH is a multinational engineering and electronics company headquartered in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. It is the world's largest supplier of automotive components...
.
Finally, there was also a turbodiesel
Turbodiesel
Turbodiesel refers to any diesel engine with a turbocharger. Turbocharging is the norm rather than the exception in modern car and truck diesel engines...
version with an engine sourced from the Italian engine maker VM Motori
VM Motori
VM Motori S.p.A. is a diesel engine manufacturing company in Cento, Italy, in Emilia-Romagna, an Italian region which is also home to Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Ducati.- History :...
. Rated at 125 PS (92 kW), even this weakest version was capable to propel the 164 past the 200 kilometre per hour mark. This was the fastest diesel saloon in those days.
Petrol
| Model | Engine | Volume | Power | Torque | 0–100 km/h, s | Top speed | Model year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 T.Spark 8v | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
1962 cc | 108 kW (148 PS) | 187 Nm (138 ft·lbf) @ 4700 rpm | 9.2 | 215 km/h (133.6 mph) | 1987–1989 |
| 2.0 T.Spark 8v (cat) | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
1962 cc | 106 kW (144 PS) | 187 Nm (138 ft·lbf) @ 4700 rpm | 9.9 | 210 km/h (130.5 mph) | 1990–1992 |
| 2.0 TS 8v | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
1962 cc | 106 kW (146 PS) | 193 Nm (142 ft·lbf) @ 5000 rpm | 9.9 | 215 km/h (133.6 mph) | 1992–1995 |
| 2.0 TS Super 8v | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
1995 cc | 106 kW (146 PS) | 187 Nm (138 ft·lbf) @ 5000 rpm | 9.9 | 215 km/h (133.6 mph) | 1992–1997 |
| 2.0 Turbo 8v | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
1995 cc | 129 kW (175 PS+overboost) | 265 Nm (195 ft·lbf) @ 2500 rpm | 7.2 | 225 km/h (139.8 mph) | 1987–1991 |
| 2.0 V6 Alfa Romeo V6 engine Alfa Romeos in-house V6 engine design made its initial début in 1979 in the Alfa 6. Introduced in 2.5 L guise, production engines would eventually range from 2.0 L to 3.2 L displacement. With modifications it is possible to increase engine displacement to... Turbo 12v |
V6 | 1997 cc | 156 kW (210 PS+overboost) | 306 N·m (226 ft·lbf) @ 2750 rpm | 7.2 | 240 km/h (149.1 mph) | 1991–1994 |
| 3.0 V6 12v | V6 | 2959 cc | 141 kW (192 PS) | 261 Nm (192 ft·lbf) @ 4900 rpm | 8.1 | 230 km/h (142.9 mph) | 1987–1989 |
| 3.0 V6 12v (cat) | V6 | 2959 cc | 135 kW (184 PS) | 261 Nm (192 ft·lbf) @ 4900 rpm | 8.1 | 230 km/h (142.9 mph) | 1990–1992 |
| 3.0 V6 12v Super | V6 | 2959 cc | 132 kW (180 PS) | 255 Nm (188 ft·lbf) @ 4400 rpm | 8.0 | 230 km/h (142.9 mph) | 1992–1997 |
| 3.0 V6 QV 12v | V6 | 2959 cc | 147 kW (200 PS) | 274 Nm (202 ft·lbf) @ 4400 rpm | 7.7 | 237 km/h (147.3 mph) | 1990–1992 |
| 3.0 V6 24v Super | V6 | 2959 cc | 155 kW (211 PS) | 266 Nm (196 ft·lbf) @ 5000 rpm | 8.0 | 240 km/h (149.1 mph) | 1992–1997 |
| 3.0 V6 24v QV | V6 | 2959 cc | 170 kW (232 PS) | 276 Nm (203 ft·lbf) @ 5000 rpm | 7.0 | 245 km/h (152.2 mph) | 1992–1993 |
| 3.0 V6 Q4 | V6 | 2959 cc | 170 kW (232 PS) | 276 Nm (203 ft·lbf) @ 5000 rpm | 7.7 | 240 km/h (149.1 mph) | 1993–1997 |
Diesel
| Model | Engine | Volume | Power | Torque | 0–100 km/h, s | Top speed | Model year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 Turbodiesel | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
2499 cc | 86 kW (117 PS) | 260 Nm (191 ft·lbf) @ 2200 rpm | 11.1 | 200 km/h (124.3 mph) | 1987–1992 |
| 2.5 Turbodiesel | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
2499 cc | 92 kW (125 PS) | 288 Nm (212 ft·lbf) @ 2000 rpm | 10.8 | 202 km/h (125.5 mph) | 1992–1997 |
Timeline
- 1983 - Alfa Romeo launches Project 164.
- 1984 - Early testing of drivetrains begins at Arese, using Nuova Guiletta's as test mules.
- 1985 - External and Internal Design in conjunction with Pininfarina frozen at this point.
- 1985 - Summer and Winter testing of prototypes in Africa and Sweden.
- 1986 - 150 pre-series vehicles tested over a 1 million km test course in extreme climates. Crash test compliance for introduction into the American market.
- 1987 - 164 unveiled at Frankfurt Motor Show.
- 1988 - 164 goes on sale throughout Europe (Series 1).
- 1990 - Mild suspension tweaks to alleviate torqueTorqueTorque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
steer, styling update on rear light clusters; Also, introduction of Bosch electronic switchgear internally, and revised instrument switchgear in Lusso versions (Series 1.5). - 1993 - Range revamped. Many small exterior changes including new headlight clusters. 3.0 L V6 engine upgraded to 24-valves, but the 12-valve engine remains. (Series 2).
- 1994 - Four-wheel drive Q4 model introduced with the 3.0 L V6 engine. New interior design and fittings, and final-series trim options introduced. (Series 3).
- 1995 - Alfa sales in United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
cease. - 1997 - 164 production ends.
- 1998 - 164 selling ends.
164 Pro-Car and concept cars
The 164 served as the basis of the Alfa Romeo ProteoAlfa Romeo Proteo
The Alfa Romeo Proteo concept car was released at the Geneva Motor Show in 1991. It is a 2-door coupe cabriolet featuring a 3.0 liter quad-cam 24-valve , 60 degree V6 coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission, with top speed of . The engine used in Proteoproduces...
, which in turn served as the basis of the new Alfa Romeo Spider
Alfa Romeo GTV & Spider
The Alfa Romeo GTV and Alfa Romeo Spider were two sports cars produced by the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo from 1995 to 2006....
. The 164 also served as the basis of the Italdesign Scighera
Italdesign Scighera
The Alfa Romeo Scighera is a fully working futuristically-styled concept car designed and constructed by Italdesign of Turin, Italy in 1997. The Scighera is derived from the 164, and has an all aluminium body and frame structure is made of aluminium-carbon fibre composite, and powered by an Alfa...
supercar concept — interestingly, only the engine output was uprated, the majority of the car's underpinnings, and even its interior being shared with the 164 without significant change.
The Alfa Romeo 164 Pro-Car made in 1988 was a 3.5L V10 mid-engined racing car. The Alfa Romeo V10 engine was originally planned to be used for Ligier Formula One cars and produced 620 bhp at 13300 rpm and 39 kgm of torque at 9500 rpm. Weighting only 750 kg (1,653 lb) the 164 Pro-Car achieved a top speed of 340 kilometre per hour and went quarter of a mile (~400 m) in only 9.7 seconds. It was planned to race in a special racing series (as a support event to Formula One Grands Prix). Alfa was only manufacturer who made a car for this series before it was canceled. Only one chassis with an Alfa Romeo V10 was built by Motor Racing Developments Ltd., the company behind the Brabham Formula One team, which was owned by Alfa Romeo at the time.
External links
- The Worldwide 164 Register: Meet Other 164 Owners, Get Tips, Technical Support and More!
- Dutch official Pininfarina designed Alfa Romeo's Register
- Dutch official Alfa 164 Club Register
- International 164 Cloverleaf Register
- UK Alfa 164 Model Register
- Alfa Romeo 164 Home Page
- Alfa164.nl - Dutch/English 164 site