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Alfa Romeo 145 Alfa Romeo 146
Alfa Romeo 145 Quadrifoglio
Overview
Manufacturer	Alfa Romeo
Production	1994–2000 (145) 1995–2000 (146)
Assembly	Italy: Pomigliano d'Arco plant, Campania
Designer	Chris Bangle at Centro Stile Fiat (145) Centro Stile Alfa Romeo under Walter de Silva (146)
Body and chassis
Class	Small family car (C)
Body style	3-door hatchback (145) 5-door hatchback (146)
Layout	Longitudinal front-engine, front-wheel-drive (Boxer) Transverse front-engine, front-wheel-drive (Twin Spark)
Platform	Type Two (Tipo Due)
Related	Fiat Tipo (160) Lancia Delta Alfa Romeo Sportut
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 1.4 L Boxer Flat-4 1.6 L Boxer Flat-4 1.7 L Boxer Flat-4 1.4 L Twin Spark I4 1.6 L Twin Spark I4 1.8 L Twin Spark I4 2.0 L Twin Spark I4 Diesel: 1.9 L turbo-diesel I4 1.9 L JTD turbo-diesel I4
Transmission	5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,540 mm (100.0 in)
Length	145 1994–1999: 4,093 mm (161.1 in) 1999–2001: 4,061 mm (159.9 in) 146 1995–1999: 4,257 mm (167.6 in) 1999–2001: 4,235 mm (166.7 in)
Width	1,712 mm (67.4 in)
Height	1,426 mm (56.1 in)
Kerb weight	1,140–1,275 kg (2,513–2,811 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Alfa Romeo 33
Successor	Alfa Romeo 147

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. 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. The first offspring of the project, the three door 145, made its début on static display at the April 1994 Turin Motor Show 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.

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. The 146 premiered in November 1994 at the Bologna Motor Show and went on sale in May 1995.

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. 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, had deep body colour side skirts with "green cloverleaf" badges and five hole alloy wheels.

The 146 ti went on sale in February 1996. 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. 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. 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, 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.

1999 restyling

At the Geneva Motor Show in March 1999, Alfa Romeo introduced the restyled '99 line up for both models. 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. 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

Performance

Notes

1. The same 1,351 cc engine was badged 1.4 on some markets, e.g. on the German one.
2. The acronym, standing for turismo internazionale–international touring, evoked the sport versions of the first Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

References

1. "The company". alfaromeo.com. Retrieved 4 August 2007.
2. "Chris Bangle resigns". cardesignnews.com. Archived from the original on 6 February 2009. Retrieved 4 August 2007.
3. "Curiosidades" [Curiosa]. Fiat Tipo Portugal (in Portuguese). 1 July 2008. Archived from the original on 18 June 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. ^ 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. ^ 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. Büschi, Hans-Ulrich, ed. (10 March 1983). Automobil Revue '83. Vol. 78. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag, AG. pp. 170–171. ISBN 3-444-06065-3.
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

• Alfa Romeo 145 / 146 Technical Centre Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine

• Compact cars
• Hatchbacks
• Sedans
• Front-wheel-drive vehicles
• Cars powered by boxer engines
• 2000s cars
• Cars introduced in 1994
• Cars introduced in 1995
• Cars discontinued in 2000