Alfa Romeo 164 1987-1998, Itália
Fotografia
The Alfa
Romeo 164 (codenamed Type 164) is a four-door executive saloon that
was manufactured by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo from 1987
to 1998 and designed by Pininfarina.
The predecessors of the 164 were the Alfetta, and its Alfa 6 derivative. It
was superseded by the 166 in 1998, after a
total of 273,857 domestic and export 164 units.
In October
1978, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia and Saab jointly agreed to each develop an executive saloon
based on their shared Type Four platform ("Tipo
4" in Italian), to eventually compete against the likes of the Ford Granada and Opel Rekord (Vauxhall Carlton) as well as more premium saloons by BMW and Mercedes-Benz in the form of the 5 Series and E-Class,
respectively.
Project 164
started life as Project 156 (Not to be confused with Alfa Romeo 156) and was completed in 1981, then still under
Alfa Romeo. A year later, that project morphed into the 164 based on the Type
Four platform. This new model was designed by Enrico Fumia of Pininfarina, with a wedge shape that afforded it a
leading drag coefficient of Cd=0.30. The design
would later influence the rest of the Alfa Romeo range (starting in 1990 with
the major redesign of the 33 and culminating with the 155, and also see Pininfarina adapt it for the 1987
Peugeot 405 and the 1989 Peugeot 605 sedans).
Below is a
chronology of the key milestones in the development of this new vehicle:
Initial
testing of the 164's dynamic elements (engine and drivetrain) began in 1984,
where mules based on the then contemporary Giulietta were
used. Initial handling characteristics were honed on the factory's "Balocco"
test track in Arese.
In 1985, the
first pre-production 164s 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 four 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 164s 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 five grey 164 Twinsparks and V6s
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 164s
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.
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.
Ultimately
unveiled at the 1987 Frankfurt Motor Show, the
164 was the last model to be developed while the Alfa Romeo was still a fully
independent company, and was formally launched a few months after the takeover by Fiat.
Enrico Fumia of Pininfarina was responsible for the 164 design, with the
first 1:1 scale model produced in 1982. Design cues were publicly revealed
on the Alfa Romeo Vivace concept car, which was exhibited at the 1986 Turin Motorshow that went on to influence the design of
the Alfa Romeo GTV and Spider (916
series) launched in 1994.
The 164 became
the first Alfa to benefit from extensive use of computer aided design,
used to calculate structural stresses that resulted in a very rigid but still
relatively lightweight chassis. Although sharing the same platform as that of
the Lancia Thema, Fiat Croma and Saab 9000, by virtue of the fact that it was the last of the
four to enter production, it featured unique front suspension geometry and the
most distinctive styling of the lot. In fact, for example, the other cars all
shared identical side door panels. Though still voluminous, the 164 had the
tightest aperture to the rear boot, which had a 510-Litre capacity.
Overall, the
164 also benefitted from improved build quality relative to previous Alfas,
thanks to the extensive use of galvanised steel for the frame and various body panels
for the first time in the brand's history. Moreover, the car featured advanced
(but notoriously troublesome) electronics thanks to the most complex wiring
harness fitted to any Alfa Romeo. For example: it had three onboard computers
(one for air conditioning, one for
instrumentation, and one for the engine management); air conditioning and
instrument functions shared a multiple-mode coded Zilog Z80-class microcontroller for dashboard functioning).
The instrumentation included a full range of gauges including an advanced
check-panel.
Its interior
was spacious and modern, available with standard velour seating or leather trim
depending on the model. Its dashboard continued the avantgarde design of the
exterior with a centre dashboard that was dominated by a large number of
seemingly identical buttons arranged in rows. Air-direction within the
ventilation system was controlled by a pair of servomechanisms, which were constructed using notoriously
fragile plastic gears that were prone to failure (prompting at least one
aftermarket company to develop metal replacement parts).
Again
depending on the model, the 164 could feature automatic climate control and
electronically controlled damping suspension - the latter, for example, in the
sports-oriented Quadrifoglio Verde ("Green Cloverleaf ")
and 164S models. This suspension actively reduced damping in response to
conditions to provide a dynamic compromise between road holding and comfort.
The 164 was
only ever built as a 4-door saloon, unlike the related Type Four cars that were
available in other bodystyles (i.e. Croma and 9000 hatchback; 9000 and Thema
sedans; Thema wagon). In addition, until 1993, the 164 was only available as
a front wheel drive like
the related cars.
In its home
market of Italy, the original 164 range launched in 1987 comprised the
following models:
2.0i Twin Spark (badged "T.SPARK")
3.0i V6 12-valve
2.5
Turbodiesel (badged "TD").
European
export versions were fitted with catalytic converters to meet more stringent
emission standards, and this included the Twin Spark Europa model.
In 1990, the
range was expanded by the 4 cylinder 2.0i Turbo, the sports-oriented 3.0i
V6 Quadrifoglio Verde (badged "QV" or "S") and
North American export versions for the 1991 model year that included the
luxury-oriented 164 L ("L" for Lusso in Italian)
equipped with the 3.0L V6 producing 183 hp (136 kW) and 185 lb⋅ft (251 N⋅m) of torque and the 164 S (in
essence, the "QV") with an uprated 200 hp (149 kW) and
189 ft-lbs.
Apart from
minor running production upgrades, the range was revamped and became known as
the 164 Super in 1993. Key differences on the outside consisted of
chrome trimmings added to the upper edge of the bumpers bars and revised
headlights now with a slimmer profile. Inside, there were revised instruments
and a centre console that featured more delineated switchgear.
The range was
now also bolstered by the following models:
3.0i V6 24V with
a 24-valve engine upgrade
3.0i V6 Quadrifoglio
4 (badged "Q4"), which was the most powerful and sole all wheel drive variant built.
In the North American market, the new 24-valve version of the
3.0L V6 produced 210 hp (157 kW) and 198 lb⋅ft (268 N⋅m) of torque in LS trim while the S model developed 230 hp (172 kW) and 202 lb⋅ft (274 N⋅m). The 3.0L V6 was the only engine ever
offered there, and 1995 would prove to be the last year an Alfa sedan would be
sold there until the 2017 model year.
The 164 was
rebadged as the 168 for the Hong Kong and Malaysian markets, as the number "164" had a
very negative connotation (路死 — a Chinese
homophone meaning "all the way to death"), and "168" has
quite the opposite (路發 — meaning "all the way to
prosperity").
Quadrifoglio Verde:
The 164 QV
or Quadrifoglio Verde was available from 1990 to 1992 as the top of
the range model. It was fitted with a bodykit that comprised an extended front
spoiler, deeper side-skirts and a deeper rear apron. Inside, the QV featured
sculpted sports seats whereas, mechanically, it was fitted with an up-rated
version of the 3-Litre V6 12-valve engine (147 kW vs 132 kW
(179 PS; 177 hp) for the standard car) and adjustable damper
settings. This was the only export 164 available with a manual transmission
(e.g. in Australia). From 1992, this model was the powered by the new 24-valve
V6 engine.
Q4:
In 1993, Alfa
introduced a four-wheel-drive variant
called the Q4 (short for Quadrifoglio 4), which was equipped with the most
powerful 3-Litre V6 engine fitted to the 164, featuring 24-valves. The Q4's
four-wheel-drive system ("Viscomatic") was co-developed with the
Austrian company Steyr-Puch. and
was more advanced than others compared at the time. The system consisted of a
viscous coupling unit, central epicyclic differential and Torsen differential in
the rear. Connected to the ABS and "Motronic" engine management
modules, the power driven to the rear axle was continuously variable from 0 to
100% subject to road conditions. Torque was 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.
Engines:
The base 164
engine was the 2.0 L Twin Spark I4 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 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. The engine featured fuel injection, controlled by a Bosch Motronic system as well as a
chain-driven DOHC cylinder head, a single cooling fan and generator belt,
improved reliability and reduced parasitic friction. The battery of all 164s
was placed in the trunk to achieve a near 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 2.0 L
V6, which was based on the 3.0 L engine and was fitted with a very
sophisticated engine management system from Bosch.
The top-line
engine was the 3.0 L "Arese" V6 designed
by Giuseppe Busso originally
for the Alfa 6. Its 12-valve design was later upgraded to 24-valves
for the new V6 models and, specifically, the QV and Q4.
Last but not
least, for Europe, 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 km/h (124 mph) mark.
Performance:
|
Model
|
Type
|
Displ.
|
Power
|
Torque
|
0–100 km/h
(0–62 mph) |
Top
speed
|
Model
year
|
|
Petrol
engines
|
|||||||
|
2.0 T.Spark 8v
|
2.0 L
(1,962 cc) |
108 kW
(147 PS; 145 hp)
|
187 N⋅m (138 lbf⋅ft) at
4700 rpm
|
9.2 s
|
215 km/h
(134 mph) |
1987–1989
|
|
|
2.0
T.Spark 8v (cat)
|
2.0 L
(1,962 cc) |
106 kW
(144 PS; 142 hp)
|
187 N⋅m (138 lbf⋅ft) at
4700 rpm
|
9.9 s
|
210 km/h
(130 mph) |
1990–1992
|
|
|
2.0
TS 8v
|
2.0 L
(1,962 cc) |
105 kW
(143 PS; 141 hp)
|
193 N⋅m (142 lbf⋅ft) at
5000 rpm
|
9.9 s
|
215 km/h
(134 mph) |
1992–1994
|
|
|
2.0
TS Super 8v
|
2.0 L
(1,995 cc) |
105 kW
(143 PS; 141 hp)
|
187 N⋅m (138 lbf⋅ft) at
5000 rpm
|
9.9 s
|
215 km/h
(134 mph) |
1995–1997
|
|
|
2.0
Turbo 8v
|
2.0 L
(1,995 cc) |
129 kW
(175 PS; 173 hp)
|
265 N⋅m (195 lbf⋅ft) at
2500 rpm
|
7.2 s
|
225 km/h
(140 mph) |
1987–1991
|
|
|
2.0 V6 Turbo
|
2.0 L
(1,996 cc) |
156 kW
(212 PS; 209 hp)
|
306 N⋅m (226 lbf⋅ft) at
2750 rpm
|
7.2 s
|
243 km/h
(151 mph) |
1991–1992
|
|
|
2.0 V6 Turbo
Super
|
2.0 L
(1,996 cc) |
151 kW
(205 PS; 202 hp)
|
301 N⋅m (222 lbf⋅ft) at
2750 rpm
|
8.0 s
|
237 km/h
(147 mph) |
1993–1997
|
|
|
3.0
V6 12v
|
3.0 L
(2,959 cc) |
141 kW
(192 PS; 189 hp)
|
261 N⋅m (193 lbf⋅ft) at
4900 rpm
|
8.1 s
|
230 km/h
(140 mph) |
1987–1989
|
|
|
3.0
V6 12v (cat)
|
3.0 L
(2,959 cc) |
135 kW
(184 PS; 181 hp)
|
261 N⋅m (193 lbf⋅ft) at
4900 rpm
|
8.1 s
|
230 km/h
(140 mph) |
1990–1992
|
|
|
3.0
V6 12v Super
|
3.0 L
(2,959 cc) |
132 kW
(179 PS; 177 hp)
|
255 N⋅m (188 lbf⋅ft) at
4400 rpm
|
8.0 s
|
230 km/h
(140 mph) |
1992–1997
|
|
|
3.0
V6 12v QV
|
3.0 L
(2,959 cc) |
147 kW
(200 PS; 197 hp)
|
274 N⋅m (202 lbf⋅ft) at
4400 rpm
|
7.7 s
|
237 km/h
(147 mph) |
1990–1992
|
|
|
3.0
V6 24v Super
|
3.0 L
(2,959 cc) |
155 kW
(211 PS; 208 hp)
|
266 N⋅m (196 lbf⋅ft) at
5000 rpm
|
8.0 s
|
240 km/h
(150 mph) |
1993–1997
|
|
|
3.0
V6 24v QV
|
3.0 L
(2,959 cc) |
170 kW
(230 PS; 230 hp)
|
276 N⋅m (204 lbf⋅ft) at
5000 rpm
|
7.0 s
|
245 km/h
(152 mph) |
1993–1997
|
|
|
3.0
V6 Q4
|
3.0 L
(2,959 cc) |
170 kW
(230 PS; 230 hp)
|
276 N⋅m (204 lbf⋅ft) at
5000 rpm
|
7.7 s
|
240 km/h
(150 mph) |
1993–1997
|
|
|
Diesel
engines
|
|||||||
|
2.5
Turbodiesel
|
2.5 L
(2,499 cc) |
86 kW
(117 PS; 115 hp)
|
260 N⋅m (190 lbf⋅ft) at
2200 rpm
|
11.1 s
|
200 km/h
(120 mph) |
1987–1992
|
|
|
2.5
Turbodiesel
|
2.5 L
(2,499 cc) |
92 kW
(125 PS; 123 hp)
|
288 N⋅m (212 lbf⋅ft) at
2000 rpm
|
10.8 s
|
202 km/h
(126 mph) |
1992–1997
|
|
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