Alfa Romeo 90

Alfa Romeo 90
Overview
Manufacturer Alfa Romeo
Production 1984–1987
Assembly Arese, Milan, Italy
Designer Marcello Gandini at Bertone[1]
Body and chassis
Class Executive car (E)
Body style 4-door saloon
Layout Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Related Alfa Romeo Alfetta
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,510 mm (98.8 in)
Length 4,390 mm (172.8 in)
Width 1,640 mm (64.6 in)
Height 1,420 mm (55.9 in)
Kerb weight 1,080–1,250 kg (2,380–2,760 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor Alfa Romeo Alfetta
Successor Alfa Romeo 164

The Alfa Romeo 90 (Type 162A) is an executive car produced by Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo between 1984 and 1987.

History

Designed by Bertone and introduced at the 1984 Turin Motor Show, the 90 was pitched between the Alfa Romeo Giulietta (nuova) and the Alfa Romeo Alfa 6, both of which were soon discontinued after the 90's launch. The car used the Alfetta chassis (including its rear mounted transaxle) and took its engines from the larger Alfa 6. The bodywork was similar to both, albeit modernised. One notable feature of the 90's design was small chin spoiler which extended above a certain speed to aid engine cooling.[2] Its angular lines with integrated bumpers gave the car a neat look consistent with the period, however the aerodynamics suffered with a drag coefficient of Cd=0.37.

The 90 was well equipped, including electric front windows and electrically adjustable seats as standard. The luxurious Gold Cloverleaf (Quadrifoglio Oro) model had electric rear windows, a trip computer, power steering, central locking, metallic paint and a digital instrument panel as standard.

The 90 was revamped in 1986 with many minor changes throughout, the most obvious exterior change being a new grille with smaller horizontal slants. Total 56,428 cars were sold within 4 years.

The 90 was made only as sedan but in 1985 Carrozzeria Marazzi developed an Alfa 90 Station Wagon prototype, only two cars were made.[3]

Suspension

The Alfa 90 has longitudinal front engine, rear mounted gearbox with differential lock, independent front suspension wishbones with torsion bar springs and rear De Dion tube. It has disc brakes on all four wheels, the rear brakes are mounted inboard.

Engines

Five engines were available: two Alfa Romeo Twin Cam engines; the 1,779 cc and 1,962 cc with fuel injection and two Alfa Romeo V6 engines: 1,996 cc V6 fuel injection, 2,492 cc V6 fuel injection and 2,393 cc turbodiesel made by VM Motori.[4] The 1,962 cc injection also incorporated a variable valve timing system.

The 2.0 V6 version was dedicated to the Italian market, where up to 1993 cars with engines over 2.0-litres were subjected to a doubled 38% VAT.[5] It was equipped with an innovative engine control unit and electronic injection system named CEM (Controllo Elettronico del Motore), developed by Alfa Romeo subsidiary SPICA.[6] It manages the opening time of the injectors and the ignition depending on the angle of the butterfly valves, with one throttle body per cylinder unlike on the Bosch Jetronic used on the 2.5 V6.

Model Chassis code Displacement Engine code Max. power Fuel system Top speed Production Units produced
Petrol engines
90 1.8ZAR162A101,779 cc (108.6 cu in)AR06202 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) Two double carburettors186 km/h (116 mph)[7]1984–19874,930
90 1.8 SuperZAR162A101,779 cc (108.6 cu in)AR06202 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) Two double carburettors 188 km/h (117 mph) 1986–19871,040
90 2.0ZAR162A201,962 cc (119.7 cu in)AR06212 128 PS (94 kW; 126 hp) Two double carburettors 191 km/h (119 mph) 1984–19874,288
90 2.0 IEZAR162A2A1,962 cc (119.7 cu in)AR01713 128 PS (94 kW; 126 hp) Bosch Motronic fuel injection 190 km/h (118 mph) [2]1984–198723,057
90 2.0I V6ZAR162A2B1,996 cc (121.8 cu in)AR06210 132 PS (97 kW; 130 hp) SPICA fuel injection 195 km/h (121 mph) 1985–19871,577
90 2.0I V6 SuperZAR162A2B1,996 cc (121.8 cu in)AR06210 132 PS (97 kW; 130 hp) SPICA fuel injection 195 km/h (121 mph) 1985–1987
90 2.5I V6ZAR162A002,492 cc (152.1 cu in)AR01646 156 PS (115 kW; 154 hp) Bosch Jetronic fuel injection 203 km/h (126 mph) 1984–19876,212
90 2.5I V6 SuperZAR162A002,492 cc (152.1 cu in)AR01646 156 PS (115 kW; 154 hp) Bosch Jetronic fuel injection 205 km/h (127 mph) 1986–1987
Diesel engines
90 2.4 TDZAR162A302,393 cc (146.0 cu in)VM81A01 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) Injection pump, turbo intercooler 178 km/h (111 mph) 1984–198711,274
90 2.4 TD SuperZAR162A302,393 cc (146.0 cu in)VM4HT 110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp) Injection pump, turbo intercooler 180 km/h (112 mph) 1986–19884,050
Total 1984–198756,428

Today

Practical Classics, a well-known classic car magazine, reported that only 10 Alfa Romeo 90s remain on British roads. As of June 2014, only one, a Gold Cloverleaf, is licensed with the DVLA, with a further eight on SORN.[8]

References

  1. "Designer". ajovalo.net. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  2. 1 2 "Alfa Romeo/Models". carsfromitaly.net. Archived from the original on 19 May 2007. Retrieved 2007-06-24.
  3. "The Sportwagon". alfa90register.info. Retrieved 2012-10-30.
  4. "Automotive/Past vehicles/Alfa Romeo 90". vmmotori.it. Retrieved 2007-06-24.
  5. Villare, Renzo (7 January 1993). "Ora il lusso costa un po' meno". La Stampa (in Italian). p. 32. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  6. "Alfa Romeo 90". omniauto.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2012-10-29.
  7. "alfa romeo 90". carfolio.com. Retrieved 2007-10-26.
  8. "How Many Left?". howmanyleft.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-06-26.

External links

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