Alfa Romeo 145 and 146 explained

Manufacturer:Alfa Romeo
Assembly:Italy: Pomigliano d'Arco plant, Campania[1]
Class:Small family car (C)
Layout:Longitudinal front-engine, front-wheel-drive (Boxer)
Transverse front-engine, front-wheel-drive (Twin Spark)
Platform:Type Two[2]
Transmission:5-speed manual
Wheelbase:25401NaN1
Width:17121NaN1
Height:14261NaN1
Weight:1140kg-1275kgkg (2,510lb-2,811lbkg)
Predecessor:Alfa Romeo 33
Successor:Alfa Romeo 147
Sp:uk

The Alfa Romeo 145 (Type 930A) and the Alfa Romeo 146 (Type 930B) are small family cars produced by Italian automobile manufacturer Alfa Romeo between 1994 and 2000. The 145 is a three-door hatchback and was launched at the 1994 Turin Motor Show, while the 146 is a five-door hatchback, launched in 1995 to replace the Alfa Romeo 33.

The 145 and 146 share exterior and interior components from the B-pillar forwards.[3] [4] A total of 221,037 145s and 233,295 146s were built.

History

Development of Tipo 930, the replacement for the ageing 33 in the competitive family hatchback market, lasted four years.[5] The first offspring of the project, the three door 145, made its début on static display at the April 1994 Turin Motor Show[6] and then at the Paris Motor Show in July; a simultaneous European commercial launch was planned for 9 September, but it was delayed until October.[7]

In April 1992, work began on a second car, the 146 or Tipo 930B, derived from and to be sold alongside the 145; with its more traditional Alfa Romeo style, it was aimed at a different clientele, that of the outgoing 33.[8] The 146 premiered in November 1994 at the Bologna Motor Show[9] and went on sale in May 1995.[10]

At launch, the engine line up for both cars comprised a 1.9 litre inline four turbo diesel and the boxer petrol engines from the 33, in 1.3 8 valve, 1.6 8 valve and range topping 1.7 16 valve forms.[11] Depending on the market, the engines were available in either or both base and better equipped L (for "Lusso") trim levels; L trim standard equipment was richer on larger engined cars.

Quadrifoglio and ti

Flagship sport models with the two litre 16 valve Twin Spark inline four engine from the 155 arrived a year after the début: the 145 Quadrifoglio and 146 ti. Each of the two litre versions had a unique trim level; both included more standard equipment than the L trims, like ABS, leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob and Momo sport seats.

The 145 Quadrifoglio (145 Cloverleaf in the United Kingdom), launched at the September 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show and on sale from October,[12] had deep body colour side skirts with "green cloverleaf" badges and five hole alloy wheels.

The 146 ti went on sale in February 1996.[13] It came with painted side skirts, a boot spoiler and twelve hole alloy wheels. Two litre cars were equipped with stiffer suspension, uprated all disk braking system, ABS, wider, lower profile tyres and 'quick rack' direct steering (also seen on the 155, GTV and Spider) which improved responsiveness, but also compromised the turning circle.

First revisions

From January 1997, all the boxers were phased out in favour of 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 versions of the Twin Spark 16 valve engine.[14] [15] 1.8 litre cars adopted the sport chassis, steering, and brakes of the Quadrifoglio/ti, and also offered some of their optional equipment such as the sport seats. At the same time, the interior was updated: a new air conditioning system, a redesigned dashboard and an upholstered insert were fitted for left-hand drive cars.[16] Right-hand drive cars retained the previous dashboard design. Outside changes were minor: new wheel covers and alloy wheels and a wider choice of paint colours.

In September 1997, Alfa Romeo introduced the Junior, a trim level targeted at young buyers that combined the sport styling and chassis setup of the range topping models, with the affordable entry level 1.4 powertrain,[17] later the 1.6 engine was added to this trim as well. Based on the 1.4 L, Junior cars were distinguished by the Quadrifoglio's side skirts with "Junior" badges, specific 15-inch alloy wheels, and the stainless-steel exhaust tip (as well as, on the 146, the boot spoiler) from the ti.

By March 1998, 1.8 and 2.0 Twin Spark engines received the updates first introduced on the 156; due to variable length intake manifolds the two powertrains gained 4 to 5 PS and reached peak torque at engine speeds some 500 rpm lower.[18]

1999 restyling

At the Geneva Motor Show in March 1999, Alfa Romeo introduced the restyled '99 line up for both models.[19] The new common rail direct injection 1.9 turbo-diesel JTD engine replaced the 1.9 TD.

The main changes outside were new, body colour bumpers with round fog lights and narrow protection strips; the interior got new upholstery and detail trim changes such as chrome vent surrounds. Optional side airbags complemented the already available passenger and standard driver airbags.

The Junior trim level was discontinued, in favour of "pack sport" option package that included side skirts, rear spoiler, alloy wheels, leather wrapped steering wheel and sport seats, all standard features on the two litre models. A second "pack lusso" package offered leather steering wheel, velour upholstery and mahogany wood trim.

In September of the next year, at the Paris Motor Show the all-new 147 was officially launched.[20] Eventually, in 2000, the 145 and 146 were superseded by the all-new 147, which was a far bigger commercial success, with its acclaimed front end styling and improved quality.

Specifications

Based, as they were, on the Fiat Group's Tipo Due (Type Two) platform, the 145 and 146 had a unibody structure, front MacPherson strut and rear trailing arm suspension. A peculiarity of these cars is that they were designed to be fitted with both longitudinal engines (the older Boxers]) and with transverse engines (the diesels and the Twin Spark).

The former were mounted in the same configuration as on the 33 or Alfasud, that is longitudinally overhanging the front axle with the gearbox towards the cabin; the latter in the conventional transverse position with the gearbox to the left side. All engines were coupled to a five speed manual transmissions. Steering was rack and pinion, with standard hydraulic power assistance.

Engines

EngineLayoutDisplacement
Bore x stroke
ValvetrainFuel and intake systemsPeak powerPeak torqueProduction period
Petrol engines
1.4*H41,351 cc
SOHC 8VWeber-Marelli MPI900NaN0 at 6,000 rpm115NaN at 4,400 rpm1994–1997
1.4 T.Spark 16V**I4 TS1,370 cc
82.0 x 64.9 mm
DOHC 16V, VVTMotronic MPI1030NaN0 at 6,300 rpm124NaN at 4,600 rpm01/1997–2000
1.6H41,596 cc
84.0 x 72.0 mm
SOHC 8VMotronic or Rochester MPI1030NaN0 at 6,000 rpm135NaN at 4,500 rpm1994–1997
1.6 T.Spark 16VI4 TS1,598 cc
82.0 x 75.6 mm
DOHC 16V, VVTMotronic MPI1200NaN0 at 6,300 rpm144NaN at 4,500 rpm01/1997–2000
1.7 16VH41,712 cc
87.0 x 72.0 mm
DOHC 16VMotronic MPI1290NaN0 at 6,500 rpm149NaN at 4,300 rpm1994–1997
1.8 T.Spark 16VI4 TS1,747 cc
82.0 x 82.7 mm
DOHC 16V, VVTMotronic MPI1400NaN0 at 6,300 rpm169NaN at 4,000 rpm01/1997–03/1998
Motronic MPI, VLIM1440NaN0 at 6,500 rpm169NaN at 3,500 rpm03/1998–2000
2.0 T.Spark 16VI4 TS, 2 Balance shaft1,970 cc
83.0 x 91.0 mm
DOHC 16V, VVTMotronic MPI1500NaN0 at 6,200 rpm187NaN at 4,000 rpm10/1995–03/1998
Motronic MPI, VLIM1550NaN0 at 6,400 rpm187NaN at 3,500 rpm03/1998–2000
Diesel engines
1.9 TD*I41,929 cc
82.6 x 90.0 mm
SOHC 8VInjection pump, turbo intercooler900NaN0 at 4,100 rpm191NaN at 2,400 rpm1994–1999
1.9 JTDI41,910 cc
82.0 x 90.4 mm
SOHC 8VCommon rail DI, turbo intercooler1050NaN0 at 4,000 rpm255NaN at 2,000 rpm1999–2000
* Continental European markets only. ** Continental Europe and Ireland only.[21] [22] [23] [24]

Performance

Alfa Romeo 145
Model1.41.4 TS 16V1.61.6 TS 16V1.7 16V1.8 TS 16V2.0 Quadrifoglio1.9 TD1.9 JTD
width=7%140 PSwidth=7%144 PSwidth=7%150 PSwidth=7%155 PS
Top speed
km/h [mph]
178km/h185km/h185km/h195km/h200km/h205km/h207km/h210km/h211km/h178km/h185km/h
Acceleration
12.5 s11.2 s11.0 s10.29.8 s9.2 s9.1 s8.4 s8.3 s12.0 s10.4 s
Alfa Romeo 146
Model1.41.4 TS 16V1.61.6 TS 16V1.7 16V1.8 TS 16V2.0 ti1.9 TD1.9 JTD
width=7%140 PSwidth=7%144 PSwidth=7%150 PSwidth=7%155 PS
Top speed
km/h [mph]
179km/h187km/h187km/h197km/h201km/h207km/h209km/h215km/h216km/h179km/h187km/h
Acceleration
12.8 s11.5 s11.5 s10.5 s10.2 s9.4 s9.3 s8.5 s8.4 s12.5 s10.5 s

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The company . 4 August 2007 . alfaromeo.com.
  2. Web site: Fiat Type platform . Fiat-tipo-portugal.com . 30 September 2010 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100618144111/http://www.fiat-tipo-portugal.com/curiosidades.htm . 18 June 2010 .
  3. Web site: Full review of Used Alfa Romeo 146 Hatchback What Car? . whatcar.com . 5 January 2014.
  4. Web site: Alfa Romeo 146 review . alfaworkshop.co.uk . 26 January 2007 . 5 January 2014.
  5. News: Dall'Alfa ecco l'auto che non c'era . Paolo . Artemi . Nestore . Morosini . 7 July 1994 . . it . 17 January 2015.
  6. News: Ti vedo e non ti tocco . Marco . Matteucci . 24 April 1994 . . it . 17 January 2015.
  7. News: Dal 15 ottobre 145 in vendita . 8 September 1994 . . it . 17 January 2015.
  8. News: Sportiva con linea da famiglia . Nestore . Morosini . 4 May 1995 . . it . 17 January 2015.
  9. News: Secondo passo, ecco 146 . Paolo . Artemi . 26 November 1994 . . it . 17 January 2015.
  10. News: Arriva 146, l'Alfa formato famiglia . 146 arrives, the family-sized Alfa . Nestore . Morosini . 29 April 1995 . . it . 17 January 2015.
  11. Book: Automobil Revue '83 . Büschi . Hans-Ulrich . Hallwag, AG . 170–171 . Berne, Switzerland . 78 . 10 March 1983 . 3-444-06065-3.
  12. News: Trasparenze e super motori, ma anche curve nelle code . Paolo . Artemi . 9 September 1995 . . it . 17 January 2015.
  13. News: Sulla coda del "Biscione" rispunta la mitica sigla Ti . The mythical Ti badge is back on the "Biscione's" tail . Luca . Delli Carri . 8 February 1996 . . it . 17 January 2015.
  14. News: I nuovi cuori Alfa, l'eterna giovinezza Lancia . Alfa's new hearts, Lancia's eternal youth . Paolo . Artemi . 5 December 1996 . . it . 17 January 2015.
  15. Web site: Alfa Romeo/Models/Alfa Romeo 145 & 146 . 1 August 2007 . carsfromitaly.net . https://web.archive.org/web/20070731140300/http://carsfromitaly.net/alfaromeo/index.html. 31 July 2007 . live.
  16. Web site: Alfa Romeo al 57º Salone Inter. Dell'Automobile di Francoforte . alfaromeopress.com . 1 September 1997. it . 15 January 2015.
  17. Web site: Alfa 146 Junior: Giovane con grinta . alfaromeopress.com . 1 September 1997. it . 15 January 2015.
  18. Web site: Alfa 145 e 146 al 68º Salone di Ginevra . alfaromeopress.com . 3 March 1998. it . 15 January 2015.
  19. Web site: 69º Salone di Ginevra: Alfa 145 e 146 . alfaromeopress.com . 8 March 1999. it . 16 January 2015.
  20. Web site: L'Alfa Romeo al 74º Salone Internazionale dell'Automobile di Parigi - Press Releases - Fiat Chrysler Automobiles EMEA Press . Alfaromeopress.com . 27 September 2000 . 19 February 2016.
  21. Web site: Alfa Romeo 145 (94-01) – Facts and Figures . 14 December 2009 . Parker's.
  22. Web site: Alfa Romeo 146 (95-01) – Facts and Figures . 14 December 2009 . Parker's.
  23. Book: 145 Owners manual . Alfa Romeo . 183-186 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160331081724/http://forum.alfa145.com/uploads/owners_manual/07.%20Technical%20Specifications.pdf . 2016-03-31 . dead . Alfa Romeo 145 - 146 Forum . Fiat Auto S.p.A. . Turin, Italy . July 1999 .
  24. Book: Bilkatalogen 2000 (Swedish edition of German Auto Katalog) . Åhman, Michael . Auto Motor & Sport Sverige AB . Solna, Sweden . 178–179 . 1999.