Living With the Last Busso V6

The Morning Ritual

There's a moment every morning that reminds me why I chose this car. You turn the key, the Bosch Motronic system runs its checks, and then the Busso V6 comes alive. Not with the artificial drama of a modern turbocharged engine, but with a cultured, mechanical awakening. A gentle shake, then a smooth idle that settles into a low, purposeful rumble.

The 166 is not a fast car by modern standards. Its 226 horsepower moves 1,545 kg of Italian grand tourer with appropriate urgency rather than violence. But speed was never the point. The point is the delivery of that power — the way the V6 builds momentum with a rising howl that rewards patience and rev-hunger.

The Sportronic Compromise

Many purists dismiss the Sportronic automatic transmission. I understand their position but respectfully disagree. In manual mode, the sequential shifts are slow by modern standards — but they are deliberate, mechanical, and satisfying. The gearbox learns your driving style over time, adapting its shift points and firmness. After 20,000 km together, it knows me.

Living Costs

Let me be honest: this is not a cheap car to maintain. Parts are available but not always easy to source. Labor costs are higher because fewer mechanics understand these cars. But every euro spent feels like an investment in preservation rather than mere maintenance.

The Sound

Nothing else sounds like this. The Busso V6 has a vocal range that spans from a whispered idle to a full-throated aria at 6,300 RPM. With the custom exhaust, the car's voice is now properly expressed — cultured at cruising speed, thrilling when you press on.

In an era of synthesized engine notes and artificial drama, the Busso V6 remains honest. What you hear is exactly what's happening: mechanical poetry in motion.