Альфа Ромео Альфасуд: История и Модификации

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.

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. Along with a 5 speed gearbox, it featured a more powerful version of the 1.2 litre engine, brought to by adopting a Weber twin choke carburettor, allowing the small saloon to reach Recognizable by its bumper overriders and chrome strips on the door sills and on the tail, the Lusso was better appointed than the standard Alfasud (which was now called "normale"), with such features as cloth upholstery, headrests, padded dashboard with glove compartment and optional tachometer. with the same equipment of the Alfasud "L". The Lusso model was produced until 1976, and was then replaced by the new Alfasud 5m (5 marce, five speed) model, the first four door Alfasud with a five speed gearbox. Presented at the March 1976 Geneva Motor Show, it was equipped like the Lusso it replaced. In September 1976, the Alfasud Sprint coupé was launched. Built on the same platform of the saloon, it featured lower, more angular bodywork, again by Giorgetto Giugiaro, and featured a hatchback. The Sprint was powered by a new, more powerful Boxer, stroked from the 1.2 to displace and develop , and was paired the five speed gearbox. The same 1286 cc engine was later fitted into the 2 door saloon, creating the Alfasud ti 1.3, which was put on sale alongside the "ti" 1.2 in July 1977.

In late 1977 the Alfasud Super replaced the range topping four door "5m". It was available with both the 1.2 and 1.3 litre engines from the "ti", though both were equipped with a single choke carburettor. The Super introduced improvements both outside, with new bumpers including large plastic strips, and inside, with a revised dashboard, new door cards and the choice of either Alfatex (vinyl) or two tone cloth seats. Similar upgrades were applied to the Giardinetta. In May 1978 the Sprint and "ti" got new engines, a 1.3 (1,350 cc) and an 1.5 (1,490 cc), both with a twin choke carburettor. At the same time the Alfasud ti received cosmetic updates: bumpers from the Super, new rear spoiler on the boot lid, black wheel arch extensions and black front spoiler, and was upgraded to the revised interior of the Super. The 1.3 and 1.5 engines were soon made available alongside the 1.2 on the Giardinetta and Super, with a slightly lower output compared to the sport models, due to having a single choke carburettor. In 1979 the Sprint was given a double twin choke carburettor setup and became the Alfasud Sprint Veloce.

All Alfasuds were upgraded in 1980 with plastic bumpers, a new instrument panel, headlamps and rear lights, as well as other revisions. The Ti version was fitted with a twin carburetor version of the 1490 cc engine that had been fitted to the Sprint the previous year, developing A three door hatchback was added to the range in 1981 in either SC or Ti trim, and the two door Ti and Giardinetta were deleted from most markets around that time. Belatedly, in 1982 the four door cars were replaced by five door versions, as by now, most of its competitors were producing a hatchback of that size, although some also produced a saloon alternative. The range was topped by the five door Gold Cloverleaf, featuring the engine from the Ti and enhanced interior trim. In 1983 an attempt to keep pace with the hot hatchback market, the final version of the Alfasud Ti received a tuned 1490 cc engine developing 105 PS (77 kW). Named Quadrifoglio Verde (Green Cloverleaf), the model was also fitted with Michelin low profile TRX tyres on metric rims (tyre size 190/55 VR 340 TRX) as well as an enhanced level of equipment.

The Alfasud became notorious for its propensity to rust, notably because of an assembly process that combined inferior recycled steel, and the factory's Pomigliano d'Arco location just 15 kilometers from the Bay of Naples. In one instance, early Bodies in White, ready for painting, were left outside the assembly building, in the naturally salty air. To inhibit rust, engineers called for filling all bodywork box sections with synthetic foam, which was later discovered to hold moisture.

In 1983, the five door Alfasud saloons were replaced by the 33 models. The 33 was an evolution of the Alfasud's floorpan and running gear, including minor suspension alterations, and a change from four wheel disc brakes to front disc and rear drum brakes to reduce costs. The Alfasud Sprint was renamed the Alfa Romeo Sprint in 1983. That model was continued until 1989 by sharing 33's running gear. The three door versions continued for a further year before being replaced by the unsuccessful Alfa Romeo Arna, a joint venture between Alfa Romeo and Nissan.

The Alfasud was also assembled in Malaysia by City Motors of Ipoh, although the plant was located in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian cars received the 1.2, 1.35, and 1.5 litre engines, and all had the four door bodywork.

1971–1983 1.2 L (1,186 cc) Alfa Romeo Boxer H4, 63–68 hp
1977–1983 1.3 L (1,286 cc) Alfa Romeo Boxer H4, 68 75 hp (56 kW)
1978–1983 1.4 L (1,350 cc) Alfa Romeo Boxer H4,
1978–1984 1.5 L (1,490 cc) Alfa Romeo Boxer H4, 85–105 hp (63–78 kW)

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.

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 shorter wheelbase.

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.