Alfa Romeo 75

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Alfa Romeo 75 / Milano
Alfa Romeo 75
Manufacturer Alfa Romeo
Parent company Fiat Group
Production 1985-1992
Predecessor Alfa Romeo Alfetta
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Successor Alfa Romeo 155
Class Compact executive car
Body style 4-door sedan
Layout FR layout
Engine Petrol:
1.6 L straight-4
1.8 L straight-4
2.0 L straight-4
2.5 V6
3.0 V6
Diesel:
2.0 L straight-4
2.5 L straight-4
Transmission 5-speed manual
3-speed automatic
Wheelbase 2510 mm (98.8 in.)
Length 4331 mm (170.5 in.)
Width 1631 mm (64.2 in.)
Height 1349 mm (53.1 in.)
Curb weight 1100-1300 kg (2425-2866 lb)
Related Alfa Romeo GTV6
Alfa Romeo SZ
Similar Audi 80 (B3)
BMW 3 Series (E30)
Lancia Prisma
Mercedes 190
Saab 900
Designer Ermanno Cressoni
Alfa Romeo 75
Alfa Romeo 75

The Alfa Romeo 75, sold in North America as the Milano, is a compact sports sedan / compact executive car produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo between 1985 and 1992.

Contents

[edit] Overview

The 75 was introduced in May 1985 to replace the Alfetta and Giulietta (both with which it shared many components), and was named to celebrate Alfa's 75th year of production. The body, designed by Ermanno Cressoni, was styled in a striking wedge shape, tapering at the front with square headlights and a matching grille (similar features were applied to the Cressoni-designed 33).

On the Geneva Auto Show 1986 a prototype 75 Sports Wagon was to be seen, an attractive forerunner of the later 156 Sports Wagon. This version was, however, nixed after Fiat took control of Alfa Romeo.

[edit] Techinical features

The 75 featured some unusual technical features, most notably the fact that it was almost perfectly balanced from front to rear. This was achieved by using Transaxle schema - mounting the standard five-speed gearbox in the rear connected to the rear differential (rear-wheel drive). The front suspension was a torsion bar and shock absorber combination and the rear an expensive De Dion tube assembled with shock absorbers; these designs were intended to optimize the car's handling. The engine crankshaft was bolted directly to the two-segment driveshaft which ran the length of the underside from the engine block to the gearbox, and rotated at the speed of the engine. The shaft segments were joined with elastomeric 'doughnuts' to prevent vibration and engine/gearbox damage.

The 75 featured a then advanced dashboard-mounted diagnostic computer, called Alfa Romeo Control, capable of monitoring the engine systems and alerting the drivers of potential faults.

The 75 engine range at launch featured four-cylinder 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 liter petrol carbureted engines, a 2.0 liter intercooled turbo diesel, and a 2.5 liter fuel injected V6. In 1987, a 3.0 liter V6 was added. However, in North America, where the car was known as the Milano, only the 2.5 and 3.0 V6s were available, from 1987 to 1989. 75 is first Alfa Romeo road car, which use Twin Spark engine.

[edit] Engines

  • Launch, May 1985
    • 1.6 Carb with 110 bhp @ 5800 rpm and 146 Nm @ 4000 rpm
    • 1.8 Carb with 120 bhp @ 5300 rpm and 170 Nm @ 4000 rpm
    • 2.0 Carb with 128 bhp @ 5400 rpm and 183 Nm @ 4000 rpm
    • 2.0 TD with 95 bhp @ 4300 rpm (left hand drive markets only).
    • 2.5 Injected V6 with 156 bhp @ 5600 rpm and 206 Nm @ 3200 rpm
  • 1986
    • 1.8 Injected Turbo 155 bhp @ 5,800rpm and 226 Nm @ 2600 rpm
  • 1987
    • 2.0 TS with 148 bhp @ 5800 rpm and 186 Nm @ 4000 rpm (upgrade of existing 2.0 engine)
    • 3.0 V6 with 188 bhp @ 5800 rpm and 250 Nm @ 3000 rpm('Milano' in US markets only)
  • 1988
    • 1.6 catalytic with 105 bhp @ 6000 rpm
    • 1.8 i.e with 122 bhp @ 5500 rpm and 157 Nm @ 4000 rpm (replacing existing 1.8)
    • 2.4 TD with 112 bhp @ 4200 rpm and 235 Nm @ 2400 rpm
    • 3.0 V6 AMERICA catalytic with 188 bhp @ 5800 rpm and 250 Nm @ 3000 rpm (europe market only)
  • 1990
    • 1.6 i.e with 107 bhp @ 6000 rpm and 137 Nm @ 4000 rpm
    • 1.8 Turbo Quadrifoglio Verde with 165 bhp @ 5800 rpm
    • 2.0 TS catalytic with 148 bhp @ 5800 rpm (replacing existing 2.0)
    • 3.0 V6 Potenziata @ 192 bhp @5800 rpm and 250 nm @ 3000 rpm (replacing existing 3.0)

[edit] Motorsports

Alfa Romeo raced the 75 in the World Touring Car Championship until its demise in 1987.

[edit] External links