FACTfile - Alfa Romeo 166 – Page 3

Interior
The new 166 brings the stylistic good looks that are part of Alfa Romeo's great tradition, reinterpreted to meet the demands of today's sensibilities and aesthetic tastes. The same good looks are apparent inside, where ample space is backed by outstanding comfort, sophisticated trim and padding and attention to detail.

The lines that run inside the new Alfa 166 passenger compartment are continuations of the exterior shape. The design is flowing and well proportioned, the curves sweeping seamlessly between the front and rear, between the central console and the seats and between the facia and the quilted door panels.

The real attraction of the new model lies in a passenger compartment that has been made lighter through careful choice of colours and materials that are a pleasure to touch and look at. The trim is opulent in terms of aesthetic appearance and also its substance. The environment has been carefully thought out in every detail: from mats that match the ceiling to sealing strip in the same colour as the body. An extensive range of materials and colours are combined to create a combination of three different environments: performance, elegance and classic Alfa Romeo.

As on all Alfa Romeo models, the central focus is the driver's cockpit and this has been designed with the maximum care. The driving position is sporty yet comfortable and allows full control of the car under all circumstances. The dashboard, which curves to mirror the shape of the steering wheel, contains the four main instrument dials. These are strictly analogue as Alfa tradition dictates and overlap slightly (like Olympic rings) because they are arranged over different reading planes so that they can easily be identified at a glance. All the other hi-tech items (controls of the climate control system, radio and Trip computer) are clustered on a console in the middle of the car where they can be reached with ease and do not distract the driver's attention. The new central console display delivers a stylish metallic effect.

When designing the facia, the need to deliver optimum climate control was considered. The user-friendly, intuitive controls allow fast, very accurate adjustment. The central diffuser and five front outlets are round and very stylish with chrome outlines and ensure a high air output with even distribution throughout the passenger compartment.

The two drawers and numerous compartments in the side panels, console and central armrest complete an array of creature comforts designed specifically for a prestige car with a sporting heart. Last but not least, the seats are big, comfortable and enveloping and offer plenty of space, even at the back, while still leaving plenty of room for a capacious boot.

The new Alfa 166 is fitted as standard with a fully automatic climate control system able to assure the best possible comfort and safety conditions. Passenger compartment temperature, humidity and ventilation can all affect the driver's level of awareness and wellbeing. And of course the heating and ventilation system is also responsible for demisting the windscreen and side windows. And there is more. The Alfa 166 system is also fitted with a temperature estimator that records internal and external temperature by means of sensors and assesses the sensation of thermal well-being experienced by passengers, the energy exchange between human body and passenger compartment that is affected by humidity, temperature and treated air flow.

Another sensor located in the middle of the windscreen base detects solar radiation striking the car. In other words, the sensor allows the system to prevent an excessive increase in temperature inside the car caused by the sun and thus to inform the climate control system in time.

All these parameters are monitored continuously and used to update the distribution, ventilation and mixing automatically. Outlet air temperature and fan speed can be adjusted to maintain the sensation of thermal wellbeing preset by the user in the passenger compartment. The result is a very constant interior temperature, even with significant changes in external conditions.

Each of these parameters may also be adjusted manually. Manual settings take precedence over the automatic system and are stored until the user cancels the command. Particular attention has also been directed to the quality of the air that reaches the car interior through a two-layer filter. The first traps particles that measure more than 0.5 microns in diameter and pollen (that can cause allergic reactions). The second active carbon filter reduces polluting substances and absorbs unpleasant smells.

The recirculation function is activated automatically when the passenger compartment temperature has to be reduced quickly. It may also be activated manually to prevent unclean air entering when the car is in queues or driving through a tunnel.

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