The strategic rethink
Passion
The Portello Scuderia. The fashion for vintage and historic cars continues to grow: the “Portello Scuderia” is created, with applications for membership coming from hoards of passionate Alfa owners who are ready to take to the track to defend Alfa Romeo’s glorious sporting past. The name comes from the original Alfa Romeo headquarters, on the Portello road, so-called because it led to one of the minor gates of the Sforzesco Castle in Milan.
A star in an Alfa Romeo. Liza Minelli, in Italy for a series of concerts, in a “90” in Milan
The Cars
Alfa 33
- YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 1983/1986 (I series), 1986/1989 (II series), 1990/1994 (III series)
- ENGINE: front longitudinal; boxer 4 cylinder – 3 cylinders in line (1.8 TD)
- ENGINE CAPACITY: cc 1186 (1.2) – 1351 (1.3) – 1490 (1.5) – 1712 (1.7) – 1779 (1.8 T.D.)
- POWER OUTPUT: 68 bhp at 6000 rpm. (1.2), 79/6000 (1.3), 84/5800 (1.5/1.5 Q.O./1.5 4×4), 105/6000 (1.5Q.V.), 86/5800 (1.3S), 95/5750 (1.5 Q.O. ‘84/1.5 4×4), 105/6000 (1.5 TI/1.5 4×4), 114/5800 (1.7 Q.V.), 107/5800 (1.7 I.E.), 72/4000 (1.8 T.D.) III series: 90 bhp at 6000 rpm. (1.3), 105/6000 (1.5), 107/5800 (1.7), 133/6500 (1.7 16v), 84/4200 (T.D.), 97/6000 (1.5 IE), 88/6000 (1.3 IE)
- TOP SPEED: I and II series: 162 – 200 Km/hr III series: 175 – 207 Km/hr
The new “average car”. The 33 replaces the Alfasud in the Alfa range and on the Pomigliano production line, but retains the Alfasud’s general mechanical framework. The car’s style, however, is completely renewed and modern. A new expression is coined to describe it – a “split two-box” – and it takes the wedge shape already used on the Giulietta. Two different engine sizes are available, 1.3 and 1.5 (1.2 only for some markets). From November 1983 a version is also available with manual four-wheel drive. Based on the pattern of sporting saloons, in 1984 the 1.5 Quadrifoglio Verde version is launched, with electronic ignition, and capable of reaching 185 Km/hr. The II series makes its appearance in 1986 and is available in a greater number of versions, and has a restructured and refitted passenger cabin. The new “33” range is marketed from January 1990, initially comprising seven versions, six of which have boxer petrol engines and the other a turbodiesel.
The 75
- YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 1985/1992
- ENGINE: front longitudinal, 4 cylinders – 6 cylinders at 60°-V (2.5 Q.V. – Milano, 3.0 V6)
- ENGINE CAPACITY: cc 1570 (1.6), 1779 (1.8), 1962 (2.0), 1995 (TD), 2492 (2.5 Q.V. – Milano), 2959 (3.0 V6)
- POWER OUTPUT: 110 bhp at 5800 rpm. (1.6), 120 bhp at 5300 rpm. (1.8), 128 bhp at 5400 rpm. (2.0), 95 bhp at 4300 rpm. (TD), 156 bhp at 5600 rpm. (2.5 Q.V. ), 155 bhp at 5800 rpm. (1.8 Turbo), 154 bhp at 5600 rpm. (Milano), 148 bhp at 5800 rpm. (2.0 TS), 188 bhp at 5800 rpm. (3.0 V6)
- TOP SPEED: 175 – 220 Km/hr
The new Giulietta. Launched in May 1985, the 75 takes its name from the number of years Alfa Romeo has been in existence. Its original bodywork style, created by the Alfa Romeo «Centro Stile», together with its high-performance engines, make it an immediate great commercial success: in just three years 170 thousand models of the 75 are produced. The Turbo version is launched in January 1986 and in February the Milano, aimed at the US market. 1987 sees the launch of two more versions, the 2.0 Twin Spark and the 3.0 V6. In 1898 the range is completed by the 1.6 and the 1.8 catalytic. The 1.8 Turbo Quadrifoglio Verde and the 2.0 Twin Spark are launched at the 1990 Turin Motor Show, both with Allestimento Sportivo Numerato (ASN – Numbered Sporting Equipment). In 1992 the new range is launched: 1.6 catalytic and 2.0 Turbodiesel 95 bhp.
The 164
- YEAR OF PRODUCTION: 1987/1992 (I series), 1992/1998 (II series)
- ENGINE: I series – front transversal, 4 cylinders in line (TS,Turbo,TD) 6 cylinders a V 60° (3.0 V6, 2.0 V6 Turbo) II series – front transversal, 4 cylinders in line (TS,TD), 6 cylinders at 60°-V (3.0 V6 2v, V6 TB, Quadrifoglio 4)
- ENGINE CAPACITY: I series – cc 1962 (TS), 1995 (Turbo), 2959 (3.0 V6), 2500 (TD), 1996 (2.0 V6 Turbo) II series – cc 1995 (TS), 2500 (TD), 2959 (3.0 V6 24v/Q4), 1996 (V6 TB)
- POWER OUTPUT: I series – 148 bhp at 6000 rpm. (TS), 175 bhp at 5250 rpm. (Turbo), 192 bhp at 5600 rpm. (3.0 V6), 117 bhp at 4200 rpm. (TD), 207 bhp at 6000 rpm. (2.0 V6 Turbo) II series – 148 bhp at 5800 rpm. (T.S.), 125 bhp at 4200 rpm. (TD), 211 bhp at 6300 rpm. (3.0 V6 24v/Q4), 202 bhp at 6000 rpm. (V6 TB), 231 bhp at 6300 rpm. (Q4)
- TOP SPEED: 200 – 240 Km/hr
The recovery model. Launched in September 1987, the Alfa 164 is the first car produced under the aegis of the Fiat-Lancia group and soon becomes the winning card for the new-look Alfa Romeo. The design is by Pininfarina, who gives the car the look of a distinguished saloon, which is at the same time aggressive and powerful. Initially the engines are those used on the 75 range, with some improvements, but from 1990 the range is widened by the versions equipped with a 3-liter 6-cylinder catalytic engine for the US market.
In 1992 the 164 embarks on a new life-cycle, with six models divided into two ranges. The so-called “Super” range, with three different engines (V6 24v, V6 TB and TD), joins the 164 Twin Spark and 164 TD. Aesthetically the trim on the Super differs from the standard trim for the new front with poly-elliptical lighting clusters and a redesigned Alfa Romeo shield, more pronounced front and rear bumpers, the new side bumper strips with progressive shading, the black side member covers and the new aerodynamic side mirrors. The entire rim of the body is trimmed with an anodized aluminum molding.
The standard fittings are particularly impressive, including an anti-pollen filter, 4 electric windows, cruise control, driver’s side airbag and a new external finish. In 1994 the range is completed with the showpiece 164 Quadrifoglio 4, combining the 3.0 V6 24v engine with a sophisticated permanent four-wheel drive system with active electronic traction control and a Getrag 6-speed gearbox.
Racing
1980
With drivers Giacomelli and Depailler, 1980 sees Alfa Romeo field a top-class Formula 1 team. Tragically, Alfa Romeo’s first full season in the category is rocked by the death of the Frenchman during practice at Hockeneim, but ends with an encouraging pole position for Giacomelli. The following season, the best Formula 1 result is a 3rd place for Giacomelli in Las Vegas.
1982-83
The loyal Giacomelli is teamed with De Cesaris. The young driver from Rome thrills enthusiasts by claiming a surprise pole position in qualifying for the Western USA Grand Prix at Long Beach. A result unfortunately not built upon: De Cesaris and Giacomelli finish the championship with 5 and 2 points respectively. Meanwhile the “Portello Scuderia” produces the vintage racing car team.
Formula 1 management is transferred to Euroracing, which was successful in Formula 3 with Alfa engines: De Cesaris earns 15 points and the team finishes 6th in the constructors championship.
1985-86
Alfa Romeo’s interest in Formula 1 fades. Riccardo Patrese and Eddy Cheever are the Alfa drivers for the private Euroracing team, sponsored by Benetton, which the company also supports in 1986.
In other categories, these years see Alfa engines dominate the Italian, French and European Formula 3 championships, while the 75s take part in Touring races and the Formula Alfa Boxer training category uncovers promising youngsters.
Personalities
A. De Cesaris
The relationship between the gritty Roman driver and Alfa Formula 1 begins in 1980, the year in which Andrea De Cesaris makes his debut in a single-seater. The young driver returns to drive Alfa Romeos once again in 1982, making a positive start to the season: he clocks the best time in qualifying for the USA Grand Prix and takes third place in the Monaco GP. He finishes the world championship in only 17th place however. In 1983 two second places in Germany and South Africa are enough to earn him eighth place in the classification, with 15 championship points. De Cesaris has continued his career in Formula 1.
The Company
Alfa Romeo can no longer sustain the expansion that it enjoyed under Luraghi, and even the Joint Venture with the Japanese car manufacturer Nissan (A.R.N.A: Alfa Romeo Nissan Automobili), for the production of a new car, does not produce the expected results. In 1986 Finmeccanica sells Alfa to the FIAT Group, which concentrates it, along with Lancia, in a new grouping called “Alfa Lancia S.p.A.”, which becomes operational in 1989. In the same year the Alfa Romeo ‘Centro Stile’ moves to an industrial complex at Arese: the building is designed with the collaboration of Adalberto dal Lago using criteria designed to encourage creativity on the one hand, and the rational arrangement of the operational departments on the other.
“Recovery” is at hand: New Alfa Romeo ranges are developed and the company strives to maintain the technological autonomy associated with the tradition of its products and logo. In the world of Formula 1 the eighties begin with a revolution in turbo engines and witness the advent of aeronautic technology used in car design and construction.