Alfa Romeo Sprint
| Alfa Romeo Sprint | |
|---|---|
| Alfa Romeo Sprint | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Alfa Romeo |
| Production | 1976–1989 |
| Assembly | Alfasud Pomigliano d'Arco (Napoli) |
| Designer | Italdelsign (1975) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 3-door coupé |
| Platform | FF |
| Related | Alfa Romeo Alfasud |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.2 L 1.3 L H4 1.5 L H4 1.7 L H4 |
| Transmission | 5 speed manual gearbox, front wheel drive |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,45 m |
| Length | 4.02 m |
| Width | 1.62 m |
| Height | 1.30 m |
| Curb weight | 905 kg |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | none |
| Successor | Alfa Junior (late 2007) |
The Alfa Romeo Sprint was a coupe version of the Alfa Romeo Alfasud, produced from 1976 to 1989 by Alfa Romeo. It's related to Alfa Romeo 33 and Alfa Romeo GTV and it was sold in Europe and Australia only.
History
Until 1983 car name was Alfasud Sprint and after that Alfa Romeo Sprint. It was available with a 1.3, 1.5, or 1.7 Litre engine, most of which (except the very late 1.7 models) were equipped with double carburetors. The late 1.7 engines were equipped with the same fuel injection system as the Alfa Romeo 33. There were few pieces of 2.5 V6 rear mounted engine rear wheel drive Sprints, but never made to full serial produciton.
In 1983, the car received a minor facelift, to coincide with the release of the Alfa Romeo 33. This involved a multitude of changes, notably a change from chrome to plastic bumpers, new headlamps, new hood and grill, different materials and some elements in cabin. Sprint also get platform upgrade, which was now on the same as new model Alfa Romeo 33 (1st generation till 1990). This means Alfa 33 (1st generation) and Sprint 83-89 share practicaly same mechancis, which is important of renewing old Sprints, due to 10 times more Alfa 33 produced.
The Alfa Romeo Sprint was one of the best handling small coupes of it's time. Altough of very average quality they were fun to drive and very predictable. With engine mounted over front wheels and very low point of gravity due to flat (boxer) engine, it has unique way of driving in curves, imagine having motor, two wheels and a rest of car being towed behind.
The Alfa Romeo Sprint was famous for its rust, as many of them had rust already when they were originally shipped from Italy to the customers; this was caused by the cheap ungalvanised Russia imported metal (too high level of carbon in metal and sea shore near the storage facilities) used during the time when the Sprints were produced.
There were a total of 116,552 Sprints produced during its lifespan. 15 of these formed the basis of the Australian-built Giocattolo sports car, which used a mid-mounted Holden V8 engine.
Design
4.02 meter long coupe has a very low profile and puts great optical impact of late 70's and 80's italian car design. Grile with two pairs of lamps empahses sport look and feel, flat 3rd door and wide angular appearance put cherry on a cream of Italdesign's 1974 concept. Straight from the same drawing board and Alfa Sprint angular concept, with sligthly different proportions another legend was born, Volkswagen Golf, year earlyer than Sprint. Until 1983 Alfasud Sprint had chrome bumpers and different grile, restyling in 1983 brought plastic and lower bumpers and some other upgrades like famous 14 inch Italspeed wheels with 8 circles and nonstandard Michelin 340 mm tyres. Depending on equipment, some Sprints had plastic side bumpers and rear spoiler (mainly Quadrifoglio Verde). The most famous was Zender pack add-in, with lower bumpers and sideskirts, sold mostly in UK and few other countries.
Interior
Although Alfa Sprint has space enough for five, it's 4 seatter. Two front seats have great back profile and came in two versions, ordinary and sporty with prolongated thighs part. Dashboard is very simple, with rev and speed instruments in front of driver, right handle behind steering wheel controls wipers and air conditioning fan speed, left when turned starts lights. Not so common feature is ignition key, put on left side of steering wheel (instead of more ordinary right). On the middle console there are few switches for front and rear fog lamp, rear window heater and rear window wiper. Next to it stands place for clock, until 1983 analog of Jaeger instruments, after that Sprint came with digital. Lower part is classical air condition temperature handles, one for hot, second for cold air intake, and third to distribute flow to top or low part of cabin. Back seats are made for two person and have sporty profile. At the back, trunk will be opened with handle next to driver's seat and it's practicaly only one big window. Trunk has capacity of 425 litres, largely due to high profile at the rear and it is covered with special leather cover to prevent looking inside.
Today & future
The number of cars reduced to few thousand in last years, most of them are in average condition, stil many fans owe two or even more specimens in superb state. It's rare car in common day traffic, but always a guest at Alfisti meetings. Alfa Sprint is similar to larger and more powerful Alfa Romeo coupe of that time, Alfa Romeo GTV.
Alfa Sprint came as coupe version of famous Alfa Romeo Alfasud and it had not real predecessor, as it had no successor. Alfa GTV, which was Alfa Romeo's only coupe during 90's it's practicaly the same size, but more of old Alfa GTV. Alfa Sprint is meant as small coupe, although some revival ideas came trough in last two decades, nearest relative is Alfa Romeo GT (which derives of Alfa 156 and though larger). At IAA 2007 in Frankfurt Alfa Romeo is presenting Alfa Romeo Junior, which some believes will finally be next generation of Alfa Romeo Sprint.
Racing
Alfa Sprint used to be very popular racing car in the late 70's till 1983. Sprint Trofeo was well known european GT competition in that years. Stil Alfa Sprint is being used in significant numbers as a racing car, mostly in historic cups or hill climbing races. Popularity goes to mentioned superb handling.
Engines
- 1.2 Boxer (1286 cc) (75 bhp)
- 1.3 Boxer (1351 cc) (77 to 84 bhp depending on model)
- 1.5 Boxer (1490 cc) (84 to 105 bhp depending on model)
- 1.7 Boxer (1712 cc) (114 bhp, 105 bhp cat. version)
- 1.7 16v i.e. Boxer (1712 cc) (132 bhp, latest series in 1989)
- 2.5 V6 (2495 cc) (160 bhp, several prototypes built)
External links
- Alfa Romeo Sprint service manuals and parts catalogs downloads site
- Alfa Romeo Sprint dedicated page (work in progress)
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