Alfa Romeo 33 Series

Infobox Automobile


name = Alfa Romeo 33
manufacturer = Alfa Romeo
assembly= Pomigliano d'Arco, ItalyCite web|url=http://www.alfaromeo.com/cgi-bin/pbrand.dll/ALFAROMEO_COM/history/history.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1654034302.1184536284@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccfaddlhgfiflfcefecejgdfiidgnl.0&categoryOID=-1073750522&contentOID=1073793966|title=History/Alfa 33|accessdate=2007-07-16|work=alfaromeo.com]
parent_company = Fiat Group (from 1986)
production = 1983–1995
layout = FF layout
Four wheel drive
engine = Petrol:
1.2 "Flat-4"
1.3 "Flat-4"
1.4 "Flat-4"
1.5 "Flat-4"
1.7 "Flat-4"
Diesel:
1.8 L straight-3
front_track =
rear_track =
wheelbase =
length = 4075 mm (160.4 in.)
width = 1613 mm (63.5 in.)
height = 1350 mm (53.1 in.)
weight = 890-1070 kg (1962-2359 lb)
class = Small family car
body_style = 5-door hatchback
5-door station wagon
predecessor = Alfa Romeo Alfasud
Alfa Romeo Arna
successor = Alfa Romeo 145/146
related = Alfa Romeo Sprint
similar = Ford Escort
Lancia Delta
Volkswagen Golf
designer = Ermanno Cressoni

The Alfa Romeo 33 is a small family car produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo between 1983 and 1995. It was essentially an evolution of its predecessor, the Alfasud, which was based on the same floorplan, chassis and mechanicals albeit with some minor modifications. The 33 was discontinued in 1994 and replaced by the Alfa Romeo 145 and 146, which used the same boxer engines but built around an entirely new platform based on the Fiat Tipo.

Overview

The 5-door hatchback version was launched in 1983, and a station wagon version (initially badged Giardinetta, later badged SportWagon) was introduced the following year as the same time as a four-wheel drive version of the hatchback. The hatchback was styled by the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, Ermanno Cressoni, while the station wagon was designed by Pininfarina.

The 33 became renowned for its nimble handling and powerful boxer engines, but also became equally well-known for its unreliable electronics and tendencies to rust (a frequent complaint on Italian cars in general at the time). Another issue was its braking - in the issue of cost cutting the car had rear drum brakes, a retrograde step from its Alfasud predecessor, which had four wheel discs as standard.

The 33 has a unique place in Alfa Romeo history - nearly 1 million of these cars were produced internationally.

Facelifts

During its 11 year lifespan the 33 saw two restyles; In consequence Alfisti tend to label each styling trend of the 33 after the flagship vehicle produced by Alfa Romeo at that time.Fact|date=July 2008

The First 33's are sometimes referred to as 'Alfa 90' 33s, as they most resemble that car. Further re-styles were to follow: a mild one in autumn 1986, when the 1.7 litre engine was introduced and a revised interior; these are known as 'Alfa 75' 33s. Later followed a much more extensive facelift in the end of 1989 (the Series II), with a revised interior, the introduction of fuel injection, the 1.7 litre engine upgraded to include a 137 bhp 16 valve version, and a heavily restyled exterior, in line with the new Alfa "family look" established by the flagship 164. Also new four wheel version was introduced called as Permanent 4, which was renamed to Q4 starting from 1992. The last 33s are known as either 'Nuova' or '164' 33s for their resemblance to that model.These models are particularly prized by Alfisti for their performance and sophistication. Late production 33s also do not suffer from the rust problems of their ancestors, as their frames are galvanized in the manner Alfa introduced with the 164.

First series (1983-1986)

Engines

*1.2 1186 cc flat-4, convert|50|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on @6000 rpm, convert|92|Nm|ftlbf|0|abbr=on @3200 rpm (Single carburettor)
*1.3 1351 cc flat-4, convert|58|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on @6000 rpm, convert|113|Nm|ftlbf|0|abbr=on @3500 rpm (Single carburettor)
*1.3 1351 cc flat-4, convert|63|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on @5800 rpm, convert|121|Nm|ftlbf|0|abbr=on @4000 rpm
*1.5 1490 cc flat-4, convert|62|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on @5800 rpm, convert|123|Nm|ftlbf|0|abbr=on @3500 rpm
*1.5 1490 cc flat-4, convert|70|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on @5750 rpm, convert|133|Nm|ftlbf|0|abbr=on @4000 rpm (Twin carburettor)
*1.5, 1490 cc flat-4, convert|77|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on @6000 rpm, convert|136|Nm|ftlbf|0|abbr=on @4000 rpm (Twin carburettor)

First series restyling (1986-1989)

Engines

*1.3 flat-4, convert|58|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on (Single carburettor)
*1.3 flat-4, convert|63|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on (Twin carburettor)
*1.5 flat-4, convert|77|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on (Twin carburettor)
*1.5i flat-4, convert|77|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on (Twin carburettor)
*1.7 flat-4 , 1712 cc, convert|87|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on (Twin carburettor)
*1.8 TD straight-3, 1779 cc, convert|54|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on (KKK 14 turbocharger)Cite web|url=http://www.vmmotori.it/en/01/02/01/dettaglio.jsp?id=23|title=Automotive/Past vehicles|accessdate=2007-07-16|work=vmmotori.it]

econd series (1989-1995)

Engines

*1.3 flat-4, convert|63|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on (Twin carburettor)
*1.4 ie flat-4, convert|66|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on (Weber IAW)
*1.5 flat-4, convert|77|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on (Twin carburettor)
*1.5 ie 1490 cc flat-4, convert|70|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on @6000 rpm, convert|125|Nm|ftlbf|0|abbr=on @4500 rpm
*1.7 ie 1712 cc flat-4, convert|81|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on/cat. convert|77|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on @5800 rpm, convert|145|Nm|ftlbf|0|abbr=on @4500 rpm (Bosch L3.1)
*1.7 ie 16V 1712 cc flat-4, convert|95|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on @6500 rpm, convert|151|Nm|ftlbf|0|abbr=on @4600 rpm (Bosch Motronic ML4.1)
*1.7 ie 16V flat-4, convert|101|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on/cat. convert|97|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on (Bosch Motronic ML4.1)
*1.8 TDI straight-3, convert|62|kW|PS bhp|0|abbr=on

References

External links

* [http://www.alfaclub.nl Dutch alfaclub with lots of technical information ]
* [http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/phpBB3/index.php International Enthusiasts Forum (Part of the Slightly Technical Alfa Romeo 33 Pages)]
* [http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk Alfa Romeo 33 Restoration and Technical Information]
* [http://alfaromeo33.extra.hu/ Alfa Romeo 33 service manuals downloads site ]