Alfa 166 to get 300bhp 3.5-litre V6 engine with GTA badge next year as 156 GTA goes 4x4
Alfa are building a 300 bhp 3.5-litre Alfa 166GTA which will debut next December. It will be powered by the 3.548cc engine recently revealed in the N-Technology built Alfa 156GTAm prototype which made its first public appearance at the weekend on display at the Bologna Motor Show. The engine will offer an estimated 300 bhp, probably through four wheel drive.
With Alfa Romeo having to massage performance figures in order that the smaller, lighter 147GTA does not officially out perform its larger and more expensive 156GTA cousin, they have taken the step of raising the engine capacity for the 166GTA to avoid any unflattering comparisons. The facelifted 166 which will roll out in September will be made up of a range with heavy hitting powerplants. The entry level version will be a 165 bhp 2.0 JTS unit, followed by a 192 2.5 V6, a 225 bhp 3.2 V6 and finally the range topping 300 bhp 3.5 V6 GTA. These petrol units versions will be joined by two diesels, a 150 bhp 2.4 JTD and a 180 bhp 20v 2.4 JTD.
Inside sources state that the end of 2003 will see the introduction of the Alfa 156GTA Evoluzione, with four wheel drive and powered by either a 280 bhp 3.2-litre V6 JTS engine or possibly the new 300 bhp 3.5-litre V6. This will be joined by entry level 130 bhp 1.6 JTS and 150 bhp 1.8 JTS versions.