Alfa Romeo · 1971–1989

Alfa Romeo Alfasud

The Alfa Romeo Alfasud (Type 901, 902 and 904) is a small family car manufactured and marketed from 1971 to 1989 by Alfa Romeo as a front-engine, four-door, five-passenger entry-level model over a single generation — with facelifts in 1977 and 1980. There was also a two-door sedan, only available in "ti" trim. Alfa Romeo subsequently introduced a three-door wagon variant, the Giardinetta (1975); two-door coupé, the Alfasud Sprint (1976); three-door hatchback (1981) and finally the five-door hatchback (1982). Assembly was primarily at the Alfa Romeo Pomigliano d'Arco plant, and 893,719 were manufactured from 1972 to 1983, with the addition of 121,434 Sprint coupé versions between 1976 and 1989. Developed by Austrian engineer, Rudolf Hruska, the Alfasud was noted for its boxer engine configuration, low center of gravity, aerodynamic profile, class-leading handling, styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign, and a conspicuous susceptibility to rust.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Successor: Alfa Romeo 33

All Alfa Romeo Alfasud data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

History

=== Background and development === Alfa Romeo had explored building a smaller front wheel drive car in the 1950s but it was not until 1967 that firm plans were laid down for an all-new model to fit in below the existing Alfa Romeo range. The car was manufactured at a new factory at Pomigliano d'Arco in southern Italy, hence the car's name, Alfa Sud (Alfa South). January 18, 1968, saw the registration at Naples of a new company named "Industria Napoletana Costruzioni Autoveicoli Alfa Romeo-Alfasud S.p.A.". 90% of the share capital was subscribed by Alfa Romeo and 10% by Finmeccanica, at that time the financial arm of the government controlled IRI. Construction work on the company's new state-sponsored plant at nearby Pomigliano d'Arco began in April 1968, on the site of an aircraft engine factory used by Alfa Romeo during World War II. Launch. The Alfasud debuted at the Turin Motor Show in 1971, featuring front wheel drive with a Boxer of 1,186 cc water-cooled engine with a belt-driven overhead camshaft on each cylinder head; front (MacPherson struts and rear beam axle with Watt's linkage; inboard front disc brakes as well as rear disc brakes as well as rack and pinion steering. The boxer engine allowed a low hood/bonnet line, contributing to an aerodynamic profile, a low center of gravity, and noteworthy road-holding and handling. Despite its two-box shape, the Alfasud was not initially offered as a hatchback. Lights, turn indicators, horn, wipers and heater fan were operated by two column stalks. The range grows. In November 1973 the first Alfasud sport model joined the range, the two-door Alfasud ti—(Turismo Internazionale, or Touring International). Along with a 5-speed gearbox, it featured a more powerful version of the 1.2 litre engine, brought to 68 PS (50 kW; 67

Engines

1971–1983 1.2 L (1,186 cc) Alfa Romeo Boxer H4, 63–68 PS (46–50 kW) 1977–1983 1.3 L (1,286 cc) Alfa Romeo Boxer H4, 68–75 PS (50–55 kW) 1978–1983 1.4 L (1,350 cc) Alfa Romeo Boxer H4, 79 PS (58 kW) 1978–1984 1.5 L (1,490 cc) Alfa Romeo Boxer H4, 85–105 PS (63–77 kW)

Motorsport

From 1975, a racing series was organised exclusively for Alfasuds. One year later, the Alfasud Trophy began in Italy and Austria, and later France and Germany got their own competitions. In 1977 the "Trofeo Europa Alfasud" was set up, in which the best drivers from each country competed. The Trofeo Alfasud was equipped with the 1,286 cc engine with an Autodelta kit. Gerhard Berger is probably the best-known driver to participate in the Alfasud Trofeo. An Alfasud Ti contested the 1980 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 at Bathurst in Australia, placing fourth in the up to 1600 cc class. Jon Dooley, Rob Kirby and Andrew Thorpe took part in the 1982 British Saloon Car Championship season, using an Alfasud Ti and an Alfasud Sprint. The Alfasud Ti also competed successfully in Rallying, with class wins in the prestigious Monte Carlo Rally in 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985. Legendary 3 time Formula 1 World Champion Ayrton Senna, had an Alfasud Ti 1.5L. He drove it to his first F1 test with Williams Racing. An Alfasud driven by Peter Dew with John Pugh, participated in the first Himalayan Rally held in India, in 1980

Concept cars

=== Alfa Romeo Caimano === The Alfa Romeo Caimano is a concept car designed in 1971 by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign Giugiaro. It uses the same mechanicals and frame from the Alfasud, but with an 8-inch (200 mm) shorter wheelbase.

Famous conversions

Gian Franco Mantovani Wainer produced a one-off Bimotore version, with two 1,186 cc engines and four-wheel drive for rallying. Wainer also produced a turbocharged Turbowainer model in 1983. The Alfasud was the basis of the Minari kit car designed by Andy Borrowman and Sean Prendergast. Approximately 120 cars were sold throughout the 1990s. The Australian Giocattolo used the Alfasud Sprint body as the basis of a mid-engined car.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Alfa Romeo Alfasud
Manufacturer: Alfa Romeo
aka: Alfa Romeo Export GTA (South Africa)
Production: 1971–1983 (berlina), 1976–1989 (Sprint)
Assembly: Italy: Pomigliano d'Arco plant, Campania, Malaysia: Shah Alam (Swedish Motor Assemblies), Malta: Marsa (Car Assembly Ltd), South Africa: Brits
Designer: Giorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign
Class: Small family car (C)
Body style: 2/4-door saloon, 3/5-door hatchback, 3-door coupé (Alfasud Sprint), 3-door estate (Giardinetta)
Layout: Longitudinal front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Related: Alfa Romeo Sprint, Alfa Romeo Caimano
Engine: 1.2 L (1,186 cc) Boxer H4, 1.3 L (1,286 cc) Boxer H4, 1.4 L (1,350 cc) Boxer H4, 1.5 L (1,490 cc) Boxer H4
Transmission: 4-speed manual, 5-speed manual
Wheelbase: 2455 mm
Length: 3890 mm, 3935 – (Giardinetta)
Width: 1590 mm
Height: 1370 mm
Kerb weight: 810 - (approx.)
Successor: Alfa Romeo 33, Alfa Romeo Arna
sp: uk