Alfa Romeo Arna

Infobox Automobile


name=Alfa Romeo Arna
manufacturer=Alfa Romeo
production=1983–1987
53,047 produced
predecessor=Alfa Romeo Alfasud
assembly=Pratola Serra, Italy
successor=Alfa Romeo 33
class=Subcompact
body_style=3-door hatchback
5-door hatchback
engine=1.2 L "Flat-4"
1.3 L "Flat-4"
1.5 L "Flat-4"
transmission = 5 speed manual
front_track = 1392 mm (54.8 in)
rear_track =
1402 mm (55.2 in)
wheelbase = 2416 mm (95.1 in)
length = 4000 mm (157.5 in)
width = 1621 mm (63.8 in)
height = 1340 mm (52.7 in)
weight = 850 kg (1874 lb)
related= Nissan Cherry Europe
Nissan Pulsar (N12) Milano

The Alfa Romeo Arna was a subcompact automobile produced by the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo between 1983 and 1987.

Launched at the 1983 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Arna was a product of a short-lived partnership between Alfa Romeo and Japanese manufacturer Nissan; the car's name was an acronym meaning "Alfa Romeo Nissan Autoveicoli". The Arna was essentially a twin of the N12 series Nissan Pulsar / Nissan Cherry (also known as the Nissan Cherry Europe in Europe and the Nissan Pulsar Milano in Japan), but featured Alfa Romeo engines carried over from the Alfasud, as well as an Alfa transmission and front suspension. It did however use an independent rear suspension from Nissan. The body panels of the car were constructed in Japan by Nissan, then shipped to the then-new Alfa factory in Pratola Serra, near Naples, for assembly. Italian-built cars badged as Nissan Cherry Europe can be readily identified by their rear lighting clusters, which match those of the Arna rather than the Japanese-built Cherry.

The Arna was however not an economic success, and production ceased after only four years, most likely due to the bizarre fact that the Arna exhibited the worst qualities of each of its parents. While customers would expect an Italian-Japanese vehicle to feature cutting-edge Italian styling and lithe driving dynamics coupled to reliable Japanese mechanicals, the idiosyncratic Arna was the reverse. It carried on Alfa's legacy of electrical issues [ [http://cars.uk.msn.com/News/Top_ten_article.aspx?cp-documentid=475412 MSN Cars] 'Top ten disastrous cars'] and tempestuous mechanicals married to a Nissan body of questionable build and frumpy styling, with insipid handling common to Japanese cars of the time.Cite web|url=http://www.motorbase.com/vehicle/by-id/1360028274/|title=Alfa Romeo Arna|accessdate=2008-03-18|work=motorbase.com] This mis-match of technical strengths served to kill the sales of the Arna very rapidly. The Arna is listed as number 26 in the Richard Porter book, "Crap Cars".

On an episode of "Clarkson's Car Years", host Jeremy Clarkson threw an explosive inside an Arna, and while commenting on the car's failures, it exploded.

Models

The Arna was constructed initially as 3-door L version and 5-door SL with Alfasud 1.2 boxer engine (63 PS). In 1984 was introduced3-door TI version with 1.3 boxer engine, this version was capable to reach Auto km/h|170 top speed. In 1985 came more powerful 1.2 engine with Auto PS|68|0Cite web|url=http://www.carsfromitaly.net/alfaromeo/index.html|title=Alfa Romeo Arna|accessdate=2007-10-29|work=carsfromitaly.net] and there was also some TI trim cars built with 1.5 boxer engine, sold also as Nissan Cherry Europe GTI.Cite web|url=http://alfasud.alfisti.net/ase13.html|title=ARNA|accessdate=2007-10-29|work=alfasud.alfisti.net] The 1.5 TI/Cherry GTI had top speed of Auto km/h|175.Cite web|url=http://www.carfolio.com/specifications/models/car/?car=18876|title=1985 Alfa Romeo Arna 1.5 Ti|accessdate=2007-10-29|work=carfolio.com]

Engines

* 1.2 L (1186 cc) Flat-4 Auto PS|63|1
* 1.2 L (1186 cc) Flat-4 Auto PS|68|1
* 1.4 L (1350 cc) Flat-4 Auto PS|71|1 or Auto PS|86|1
* 1.5 L (1490 cc) Flat-4 Auto PS|95|1

References