Alfa romeo 75

Project 75: Dal pollaio alla pista (parte 1) - Davide Cironi Drive Experience (SUBS)

In May 1985, in the year of the 75th anniversary of Alfa Romeo, a new flagship model of the company, Alfa 75, was released, replacing the 2nd generation Giulietta. It was the last rear-wheel drive model, released by Alfa Romeo.

The 75th design was developed by a group of designers under the leadership of Ermanno Cressoni and represents a compromise between the forms of Alfa 33 and Alfa 90. The task of the designers was to create a car with pronounced sporting features, but without excessive aggressiveness. It turned out quite original typical Italian car design.

By the beginning of production, in September 1985, 4 versions of the 75th engine were produced, with the following engines: 1.6 l. (110 hp), 1.8 l. (119 hp), 2.0 Twin Spark (128 l. pp.) and 2.0 turbo diesel (95 hp). For the American market, 75 Alfa was supplied under the name Milano. They differed a little. So, a 1.8 liter engine (150 hp) was installed on Milano, which had a turbocharger and a catalyst (the catalyst was simply necessary, as the car had to be strictly certified for export to the American market). Outwardly, 75 and Milano almost did not differ (there were other bumpers on Milano). Due to the unprofitability of Milano production in 1989, the Milano production was discontinued.

From February 1986, for the 75th, the release of the new V6 engine of the Basso design, 2.5 liter in volume, begins Since April 1987, Alfa 75 begin to equip the next version of the V6 - a volume of 3 liters and a capacity of 188 hp At the same time, the 75th began to install 2.5 Twin Spark power 145 hp with adjustable catalyst. In September 1987, Alfa 75 began exporting to the United States under the name Milano. Especially for this, a new version of the car with an engine of 1.8 America (150 hp) with turbocharging and a catalyst was developed. Milano and the usual versions of the 75th were assembled on different conveyors, but externally differed only in the shape of the front bumper.

From 1987 to 1989, Milano was produced in 4 versions of Silver, Gold, Platinum, QV. Milano is considered in all respects the best version of the Alfa 75. This is confirmed by the fact that in order to gain access to the US domestic market, foreign cars had to undergo rather tough tests. At the end of 1989, due to the unprofitability of production, Milano was discontinued.

In June 1989, a small restyling of the model was made; apparently, this resulted in a slight change in the front end of the body. At the same time, a rather rare version of the 75th -75 Lusso with the 3.0 i Veloce engine was released.

Since the autumn of 1989, version 1.8 and 1.8 ie began to be equipped with exhaust gas catalytic converters, as a result of which they became more environmentally friendly, but they lost 2 hp.

Shortly before discontinuing the Alfa 75, in 1991, the Twin Spark Limited Edition was released with the 2.0i TS engine. The participation of Alfa 75 in many races did not go unnoticed, and the famous Nicola Larini performed at the Alfa Romeo factory team.

Alfa 75 was a huge success, as evidenced by the fact that despite the release in 1988 of the new flagship of the company - Alfa 164, the 75th continued to be produced until May 1992, when Alfa 155 helped the 164th completely replace the tired for 7 years of the flagship Alfa Romeo.

According to a number of specialists, the Alfa 75 was one of the best sports sedans of the late 80s and early 90s, ahead of its competitors in price / performance ratios such as the BMW 325i, BMW M3, Mercedes 190 2.3, Toyota Cressida, Nissan Maxima .