Development of
Tipo 930, the replacement for the ageing
33 in the competitive family
hatchback market, lasted four years. The first offspring of the project, the three door 145, made its début on static display at the April 1994
Turin Motor Show and then at the
Paris Motor Show in July; In April 1992, work began on a second car, the 146 or
Tipo 930B, derived from and to be sold alongside the 145; with its more traditional Alfa Romeo style, it was aimed at a different clientele, that of the outgoing 33. The 146 premiered in November 1994 at the
Bologna Motor Show and went on sale in May 1995. At launch, the engine line up for both cars comprised a 1.9 litre inline four
turbo diesel and the
boxer petrol engines from the 33, in 1.3 8 valve, 1.6 8 valve and range topping 1.7 16 valve forms. Depending on the market, the engines were available in either or both base and better equipped
L (for "Lusso")
trim levels; L trim standard equipment was richer on larger engined cars.
Quadrifoglio and ti Flagship sport models with the two litre 16 valve
Twin Spark inline four engine from the
155 arrived a year after the début: the 145 Quadrifoglio and 146
ti. Each of the two litre versions had a unique trim level; both included more standard equipment than the L trims, like
ABS, leather wrapped steering wheel and shifter knob and
Momo sport seats. The
145 Quadrifoglio (
145 Cloverleaf in the United Kingdom), launched at the September 1995
Frankfurt Motor Show and on sale from October, had deep body colour side skirts with "green cloverleaf" badges and five hole alloy wheels. The '
146 ti''''' went on sale in February 1996. It came with painted side skirts, a boot spoiler and twelve hole alloy wheels. Two litre cars were equipped with stiffer suspension, uprated all
disk braking system, ABS, wider, lower profile tyres and 'quick rack' direct steering (also seen on the 155, GTV and Spider) which improved responsiveness, but also compromised the turning circle.
First revisions From January 1997, all the boxers were phased out in favour of 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 versions of the Twin Spark 16 valve engine. 1.8 litre cars adopted the sport chassis, steering, and brakes of the Quadrifoglio/
ti, and also offered some of their optional equipment such as the sport seats. At the same time, the interior was updated: a new
air conditioning system, a redesigned dashboard and an upholstered insert were fitted for left-hand drive cars. Right-hand drive cars retained the previous dashboard design. Outside changes were minor: new wheel covers and alloy wheels and a wider choice of paint colours. In September 1997, Alfa Romeo introduced the
Junior, a trim level targeted at young buyers that combined the sport styling and chassis setup of the range topping models, with the affordable entry level 1.4 powertrain, later the 1.6 engine was added to this trim as well. Based on the 1.4 L, Junior cars were distinguished by the Quadrifoglio's side skirts with "Junior" badges, specific 15-inch alloy wheels, and the stainless-steel exhaust tip (as well as, on the 146, the boot spoiler) from the
ti. By March 1998, 1.8 and 2.0 Twin Spark engines received the updates first introduced on the
156; due to
variable length intake manifolds the two powertrains gained 4 to 5 PS and reached peak torque at engine speeds some 500 rpm lower.
1999 restyling At the
Geneva Motor Show in March 1999, Alfa Romeo introduced the restyled '99 line up for both models. The new
common rail direct injection 1.9
turbo-diesel JTD engine replaced the 1.9 TD. The main changes outside were new, body colour bumpers with round fog lights and narrow protection strips; the interior got new upholstery and detail trim changes such as chrome vent surrounds. Optional side airbags complemented the already available passenger and standard driver airbags. The
Junior trim level was discontinued, in favour of "pack sport" option package that included side skirts, rear spoiler, alloy wheels, leather wrapped steering wheel and sport seats, all standard features on the two litre models. A second "pack lusso" package offered leather steering wheel, velour upholstery and mahogany wood trim. In September of the next year, at the
Paris Motor Show the all-new
147 was officially launched. Eventually, in 2000, the 145 and 146 were superseded by the all-new 147, which was a far bigger commercial success, with its acclaimed front end styling and improved quality. ==Specifications==