1971 / 1972 - A star is born
After long years of planning and engineering, the Alfasud is presented
at the Turin Motor Show in 1971.
The entirely new vehicle has nothing in common with the Alfa Romeos
(series 105) which were produced before.In contrast to the classic Alfa drivetrain-layout with a front Bialbero
four cylinder engine and rear-wheel-drive, the Alfasud is a front-wheel-drive
car which has a four cylinder Boxer engine with a capacity of 1186 cm³
which overhangs the front axle. The engine was developed in order to repair
and maintain it as easily as possible, everything is accessible without
greater problems. Valve adjustment has been simplified: you do not have
to remove the camshafts anymore to adjust the valves with shims because
the camshafts of the Boxer-engine have little holes. Through the holes
you can adjust the valves with an Allen
key with ease. A hydraulically operated dry single clutch provides the
connection between the engine and all new four-speed gearbox with integrated
differential. The engine comes with one vertical single-barrel Solex C32 DISA/2 carburettor and has develops 63 bhp and a torque of 8,5
kgm at 3500 rpm. With a kerb weight of only 830 kg, the Alfasud reaches
a top speed of 152 kph. This makes it one of the fastest 1200 cm³
cars at its time. The front brake discs are inboardly mounted to reduce
unsprung masses. This improves the comfort. The rear wheels are als braked
with disc brakes. The first Alfasuds still do not have power-assisted braking.
The independent front wheels with Mc Pherson struts, transverse arms and
trailing beams have an anti-roll bar. The rigid rear axle has trailing
beams and a
Panhard-rod. 145 SR 13 wheels are standart.
As optional extra there are
165 / 70 SR tires. The concept with a front Boxer-engine allows a very
roomy interior. Compared to other Alfa Romeos of that time, the equipment and trim of the Alfasud is rather stingy. Neither a rev-counter nor
a water temperature gauge can be found on the dashboard. A red light burns
as long as the engine ahs not reached a certain temperature. The seats
are covered with skai, the floor with rubber mats. The height-adjustable
steering wheel is unique in the 1200 cm³-class. Nearly all controls
and switches are united in the two steering column stalks also the fan-switch
and the horn. At the end of August 1972 the Alfasud has reached the European
Alfa dealer's showrooms. There are so many orders that Alfa Romeo can not
deliver the new car as quickly as the clients want. Alfa Romeo first planned
to introduce a two-door version
together with the launch of the four-door Alfasud. But only some two-door
prototypes are made.
| 1972 | Chassis Numbers | Code |
| Alfasud | AS*5000001*901A to *5022351*901A | Type 901 A, Engine Type AS30100 |
Last Update: October,13th 2003 Created: March 2000
© Layout and text by Tim Rauen. The photos of this page are published with the permission of Alfa Romeo S.p.a.