motorways. Oncemeticulousinshootingitselfinthefoot,Alfahas been missing that particular target a lot lately.<br><br> The 166 Twin Spark may lack a little in headroom, outright urge and ultimate ride refinement, but it has quality stamped through it like no Alfa before. It has driver appeal in abundance, too, and even quite respectable fuel economy, provided you don 9t cane it. The ultimate driving machine?<br><br> Almost. June 1999 HOW THE ALFA166 COMPARES Engine cap/power (cc/bhp) Revs at 70mph (rpm) 30-70mph through gears (sec) 30-70mph in 5th/4th gears (sec) Fuel economy (mpg) Brakes best stop (m/kg) Maximum legroom - front (cm) Typical leg/ kneeroom - rear (cm) Steering turns/ (p) circle (m) Overall length (cm) ALFAROMEO1662.0TWINSPARK 1970/155 3500 9.6 24.3/16.7 29 27½/18 110 103/76 2.3/11.9 472 BMW 520i 1991/150 3280 9.8 26.9/19.7 33 23½/18 116 103/76 3.0/11.0 478 Jaguar S-Type 3.0 V6 2967/240 2825 8.0 22.2/16.7 23½ 24½/22 111 102/77 2.7/11.5 486 Rover 75 2.5 V6 (automatic) 2497/177 2540 9.3 N/A 28 24½/22 114 100/77 3.2/11.4 475 Saab 9-5 2.0t 1985/150 2560 9.5 30.7/16.3 31½ 25½/32 110 103/78 2.9/11.0 481 Volvo S80 2.9 (automatic) 2922/204 2500 8.3 N/A 24 25½/20 112 114/80 3.0/11.6 482 all with ABS (p) all power-assisted SCORECARD Overtaking / pulling power Fuel economy Handling / steering Comfort / ease of control Interior space / practicality Accident / injury avoidance Costs in service Depreciation prospects mph IN 5TH GEAR IN 4TH GEAR 30 30 4 0 4 0 5 0 5 0 6 0 6 0 70 70 THROUGH THE GEARS 20 mph 5TH/4TH SPEED RANGES 12.7/8. 12.7 18.3 24.3 6.6 11.7/8.1 11.6/8.4 13.8/9.5 FUEL CONSUMPTION MEASUREMENTS 44-46 26 79 472 196 182* No 135 133 94-97 190 (ski flap only) 80-100 85-110 103 40 76 ( without sunroof ) 88 91-98 142 T: typical back seat space behind medium-sized front occupants 15 (inner sill) (outer sill) 42 49 T T *with mirrors folded Centimetres 8.3 12.6 16.7 4.5 3.9 6.5 9.6 1.7 2 PERFORMANCE Acceleration time in seconds Fuel grade: 95 octane, unleaded Premium Type of use - air conditioning off* mpg In the city - heavy traffic 18 In the country - quiet driving 42 Typical mpg overall 29 Realistic tank range 66 litres/420miles *with air conditioning switched on, consumption will increase by 2 3 4% in winter and 4 3 8% in summer BRAKES Pedal feel Handbrake Behaviour in an emergency Dry road stopping distance from 50mph (with standard ABS) (A good-to-average best stop is about 26m at 15-20kg pedal load) Fade test: pedal load required for a moderate (34m/.75g) stop: 8kg at start of test, 13kg at end of test (Ideal brakes show no change) 10m 20m Distance Pedalload 30m _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 46m _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 31½m _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 29½m (ABS just working) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 27½m (.92g best stop - ABS working fully) 40m 50m 60m 8kg 12kg 18+kg 15kg Swift, smooth engine 3 quiet cruiser, too ...<br><br> but it 9s doleful at lower revs Convenient switchgear ... but clutch pedal pad awkardly angled Neat stowage areas in facia and rear shelf ... but glovebox small and no drinks holders Comfortable seats for most people ...<br><br> but not for the portly or short-legged Ski-flap caters for long objects ... but back seats don 9t fold for more boot space Neat boot lock ... but it 9s key-only opening LIKES AND GRIPES 1 3 5 2 4 mph * for best acceleration REVS PER MINUTE 5th 4th 3rd 2nd 1st 7000* 7000 6710 Gearing gives 20.0mph per 1000rpm in top = 3500rpm at 70mph 34 84 134 57 110 Four-door saloon © The Automobile Association 1999 Maximum speeds<br><br>

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