Alfa Romeo 145 and 146

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

  • Alfa Romeo 145
  • Alfa Romeo 146
Kerb weight
1,140–1,275 kg (2,513–2,811 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorAlfa Romeo 33
SuccessorAlfa Romeo 147

The Alfa Romeo 145 (Type 930A) and the Alfa Romeo 146 (Type 930B) are

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.[4][5]
A total of 221,037 145s and 233,295 146s were built.

History

Alfa Romeo 145, rear view

Development of Tipo 930, the replacement for the ageing

Turin Motor Show[7] and then at the Paris Motor Show in July;[6] a simultaneous European commercial launch was planned for 9 September, but it was delayed until October.[8]

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.[9] The 146 premiered in November 1994 at the Bologna Motor Show[10] and went on sale in May 1995.[11]

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[a] 8 valve, 1.6 8 valve and range topping 1.7 16 valve forms.[11][12] 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,[13]
had deep body colour side skirts with "green cloverleaf" badges and five hole alloy wheels.

The 146 ti

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

Alfa Romeo 146

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.[15][16] 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.[17] 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,[18] 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

variable length intake manifolds the two powertrains gained 4 to 5 PS and reached peak torque at engine speeds some 500 rpm lower.[19]

1999 restyling

145 Pack Sport (post-facelift)

At the

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.[21] 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

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

Engine Layout Displacement
Bore x stroke
Valvetrain Fuel and intake systems Peak power Peak torque Production period
Petrol engines
1.4* H4 1,351 cc
80.0 x 67.2 mm
SOHC
8V
MPI
90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) at 6,000 rpm 115 N⋅m (85 lb⋅ft) at 4,400 rpm 1994–1997
1.4 T.Spark 16V** I4 TS 1,370 cc
82.0 x 64.9 mm
DOHC 16V, VVT
MPI
103 PS (76 kW; 102 hp) at 6,300 rpm 124 N⋅m (91 lb⋅ft) at 4,600 rpm 01/1997–2000
1.6 H4 1,596 cc
84.0 x 72.0 mm
SOHC
8V
MPI
103 PS (76 kW; 102 hp) at 6,000 rpm 135 N⋅m (100 lb⋅ft) at 4,500 rpm 1994–1997
1.6 T.Spark 16V I4 TS 1,598 cc
82.0 x 75.6 mm
DOHC 16V, VVT
MPI
120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) at 6,300 rpm 144 N⋅m (106 lb⋅ft) at 4,500 rpm 01/1997–2000
1.7 16V H4 1,712 cc
87.0 x 72.0 mm
DOHC
16V
MPI
129 PS (95 kW; 127 hp) at 6,500 rpm 149 N⋅m (110 lb⋅ft) at 4,300 rpm 1994–1997
1.8 T.Spark 16V I4 TS 1,747 cc
82.0 x 82.7 mm
DOHC 16V, VVT
MPI
140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 6,300 rpm 169 N⋅m (125 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm 01/1997–03/1998
VLIM
144 PS (106 kW; 142 hp) at 6,500 rpm 169 N⋅m (125 lb⋅ft) at 3,500 rpm 03/1998–2000
2.0 T.Spark 16V I4 TS, 2 Balance shaft 1,970 cc
83.0 x 91.0 mm
DOHC 16V, VVT
MPI
150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) at 6,200 rpm 187 N⋅m (138 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm 10/1995–03/1998
VLIM
155 PS (114 kW; 153 hp) at 6,400 rpm 187 N⋅m (138 lb⋅ft) at 3,500 rpm 03/1998–2000
Diesel engines
1.9 TD* I4 1,929 cc
82.6 x 90.0 mm
SOHC
8V
Injection pump, turbo intercooler 90 PS (66 kW; 89 bhp) at 4,100 rpm 191 N⋅m (141 lb⋅ft) at 2,400 rpm 1994–1999
1.9 JTD I4 1,910 cc
82.0 x 90.4 mm
SOHC
8V
Common rail DI, turbo intercooler 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) at 4,000 rpm 255 N⋅m (188 lb⋅ft) at 2,000 rpm 1999–2000
* Continental European markets only. ** Continental Europe and Ireland only.[22][23][24][25]

Performance

Alfa Romeo 145
Model 1.4 1.4 TS 16V 1.6 1.6 TS 16V 1.7 16V 1.8 TS 16V 2.0 Quadrifoglio 1.9 TD 1.9 JTD
140 PS 144 PS 150 PS 155 PS
Top speed
km/h [mph]
178 [111] 185 [115] 185 [115] 195 [121] 200 [124] 205 [127] 207 [129] 210 [130] 211 [131] 178 [111] 185 [115]
Acceleration
0–100 km/h (0–62 mph)
12.5 s 11.2 s 11.0 s 10.2 9.8 s 9.2 s 9.1 s 8.4 s 8.3 s 12.0 s 10.4 s
Alfa Romeo 146
Model 1.4 1.4 TS 16V 1.6 1.6 TS 16V 1.7 16V 1.8 TS 16V 2.0 ti 1.9 TD 1.9 JTD
140 PS 144 PS 150 PS 155 PS
Top speed
km/h [mph]
179 [111] 187 [116] 187 [116] 197 [122] 201 [125] 207 [129] 209 [130] 215 [134] 216 [134] 179 [111] 187 [116]
Acceleration
0–100 km/h (0–62 mph)
12.8 s 11.5 s 11.5 s 10.5 s 10.2 s 9.4 s 9.3 s 8.5 s 8.4 s 12.5 s 10.5 s

Notes

  1. ^ The same 1,351 cc engine was badged 1.4 on some markets, e.g. on the German one.
  2. Alfa Romeo Giulietta
    .

References

  1. ^ "The company". alfaromeo.com. Retrieved 4 August 2007.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Chris Bangle resigns". cardesignnews.com. Archived from the original on 6 February 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2007.
  3. ^ "Fiat Type platform". Fiat-tipo-portugal.com. Archived from the original on 18 June 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2010.
  4. ^ "Full review of Used Alfa Romeo 146 Hatchback What Car?". whatcar.com. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  5. ^ "Alfa Romeo 146 review". alfaworkshop.co.uk. 26 January 2007. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  6. ^ a b Artemi, Paolo; Morosini, Nestore (7 July 1994). "Dall'Alfa ecco l'auto che non c'era". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  7. ^ Matteucci, Marco (24 April 1994). "Ti vedo e non ti tocco". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  8. ^ "Dal 15 ottobre 145 in vendita". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). 8 September 1994. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  9. ^ Morosini, Nestore (4 May 1995). "Sportiva con linea da famiglia". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  10. ^ Artemi, Paolo (26 November 1994). "Secondo passo, ecco 146". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  11. ^ a b Morosini, Nestore (29 April 1995). "Arriva 146, l'Alfa formato famiglia" [146 arrives, the family-sized Alfa]. Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  12. .
  13. ^ Artemi, Paolo (9 September 1995). "Trasparenze e super motori, ma anche curve nelle code". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  14. ^ Delli Carri, Luca (8 February 1996). "Sulla coda del "Biscione" rispunta la mitica sigla Ti" [The mythical Ti badge is back on the "Biscione's" tail]. Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  15. ^ Artemi, Paolo (5 December 1996). "I nuovi cuori Alfa, l'eterna giovinezza Lancia" [Alfa's new hearts, Lancia's eternal youth]. Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  16. ^ "Alfa Romeo/Models/Alfa Romeo 145 & 146". carsfromitaly.net. Archived from the original on 31 July 2007. Retrieved 1 August 2007.
  17. ^ "Alfa Romeo al 57º Salone Inter. Dell'Automobile di Francoforte". alfaromeopress.com (in Italian). 1 September 1997. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  18. ^ "Alfa 146 Junior: Giovane con grinta". alfaromeopress.com (in Italian). 1 September 1997. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  19. ^ "Alfa 145 e 146 al 68º Salone di Ginevra". alfaromeopress.com (in Italian). 3 March 1998. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  20. ^ "69º Salone di Ginevra: Alfa 145 e 146". alfaromeopress.com (in Italian). 8 March 1999. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  21. ^ "L'Alfa Romeo al 74º Salone Internazionale dell'Automobile di Parigi - Press Releases - Fiat Chrysler Automobiles EMEA Press". Alfaromeopress.com. 27 September 2000. Retrieved 19 February 2016.
  22. ^ "Alfa Romeo 145 (94-01) – Facts and Figures". Parker's. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  23. ^ "Alfa Romeo 146 (95-01) – Facts and Figures". Parker's. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
  24. ^ Alfa Romeo (July 1999). 145 Owners manual (PDF). Turin, Italy: Fiat Auto S.p.A. pp. 183–186. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 March 2016 – via Alfa Romeo 145 - 146 Forum.
  25. ^ Åhman, Michael, ed. (1999). Bilkatalogen 2000 (Swedish edition of German Auto Katalog). Solna, Sweden: Auto Motor & Sport Sverige AB. pp. 178–179.

External links