ALFA ROMEO

Alfa Romeo 145 and 146: platform of the first FIAT Tipo and longitudinal boxer engine, completes 30 years of history

Luckily for them, Alfa Romeo has always opted for compact models in the past: Alfasud, Arna and the popular 33, whose successor appeared 30 years ago. Or rather, their successors.

The Alfa Romeo 145 (model 930A) and 146 (model 930B) measured between 4,060 and 4,230 mm in length and were on sale between 1994 and 2000. The 145 was a classic three-door compact hatchback, while the 146 was a five-door model. doors with a sedan touch.

Development of the Type 930, which would replace the aging 33 in the competitive compact market, began in 1990. The 145 was presented at the Turin Motor Show in April 1994 and at the Paris Motor Show in July. The launch in the European market was scheduled for September 9, but was postponed to October.

In April 1992, development began on a second vehicle, the 146 or Type 930B, derived from the 145 and sold alongside it. The 146 was presented at the Bologna Motor Show in November 1994 and went on sale in May 1995.

The 145's bodywork was the work of Ermanno Cressoni, head of Alfa Romeo Design, who became head of the Centro Stile following the acquisition of Alfa Romeo by FIAT. Cressoni has been responsible for the design of vehicles such as the Alfetta sedan, the Giulietta transaxle, the first Alfa Romeo 33 and the Alfa 75.

FIAT Tipo base, but with boxer engines...The Alfa Romeo 145 and 146 were based on the platform of the first FIAT Tipo. This was extensively modified to allow the use of the longitudinally mounted Alfa Romeo boxer engines.

Consequently, the Alfa Romeo 145 also underwent the modifications that the FIAT Tipo underwent throughout its career. The 145 and 146 were partially galvanized and therefore well protected against corrosion.

Initially the 145 was available with the petrol engines already known from the Alfasud and the 33, 8-valve boxer engines with 1.4 liters (90 hp) and 1.6 liters of displacement (103 hp), in addition to a block with 1.7 liters of displacement and 16 valves (129 hp). A turbocharged diesel engine with a displacement of 2.0 liters and a maximum power of 90 hp was also available.

Externally, the first series was recognizable by the oval exhaust system outlet and the flat hubcaps with the Alfa Romeo logo in relief, while the interior was dominated by a gray dashboard with rectangular air vents.

Top of the range Quadrifoglio...In September 1995, the Alfa Romeo 145 Quadrifoglio Verde was presented at the 56th Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) as the top-of-the-range model. The differences were noticeable in the side skirts with the Quadrifoglio Verde emblem, the alloy wheels, the sports seats, the specific instrumentation, the leather steering wheel with contrasting red stitching and the specially tuned sports suspension.

The engine used was the first TwinSpark: a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder in-line with dual ignition and 150 hp of maximum power.

With the December 1996 update, the line went from boxer blocks to 4-cylinder in-line engines with dual ignition, with gasoline options with displacements of 1.4 to 2.0 liters and 16 valves, as well as a turbocharged diesel engine.

While there were no exterior modifications, the interior received important changes: a two-tone center console with redesigned ventilation controls, as well as round air vents and a steering wheel with a colored Alfa Romeo logo.

Another change was made in October 1998. The external modifications mainly affected the bumpers, which debuted inserted moldings and a more rounded appearance, while they were completely painted in the body color.

Production of the 145 ended in December 2000, with a total of 221,037 units sold, while the Alfa 146 was retired with 233,295 units registered.

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