Alfa Romeo 33

Alfa Romeo 33
Overview
Manufacturer	Alfa Romeo
Production	1983–1995
Assembly	Pomigliano d'Arco, Italy
Designer	Ermanno Cressoni
Body and chassis
Class	Small family car
Body style	5-door hatchback 5-door station wagon
Layout	FF layout Four wheel drive
Related	Alfa Romeo Sprint
Powertrain
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
Dimensions
Length	4075 mm (160.4 in.)
Width	1613 mm (63.5 in.)
Height	1350 mm (53.1 in.)
Curb weight	890-1070 kg (1962-2359 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Alfa Romeo Alfasud Alfa Romeo Arna
Successor	Alfa Romeo 145/146

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 at 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 and increased unsprung weight — the Alfasud's inboard front disks (mounted on the gearbox) had been moved to the more common outboard disks (mounted on the wheel hubs). The rear disks of the Sud's four-wheel disk arrangement had also been replaced with drums from the Nissan Cherry, as used on the Arna.

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.

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 (the Series II), 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 III), 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 the 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)

Series I

Engines

• 1.2 1186 cc flat-4, 50 kW (68 PS; 67 bhp) @6000 rpm, 92 N⋅m (68 ft⋅lbf) @3200 rpm (Single carburettor)
• 1.3 1351 cc flat-4, 58 kW (79 PS; 78 bhp) @6000 rpm, 113 N⋅m (83 ft⋅lbf) @3500 rpm (Single carburettor)
• 1.3 1351 cc flat-4, 63 kW (86 PS; 84 bhp) @5800 rpm, 121 N⋅m (89 ft⋅lbf) @4000 rpm
• 1.5 1490 cc flat-4, 62 kW (84 PS; 83 bhp) @5800 rpm, 123 N⋅m (91 ft⋅lbf) @3500 rpm
• 1.5 1490 cc flat-4, 70 kW (95 PS; 94 bhp) @5750 rpm, 133 N⋅m (98 ft⋅lbf) @4000 rpm (Twin carburettor)
• 1.5, 1490 cc flat-4, 77 kW (105 PS; 103 bhp) @6000 rpm, 136 N⋅m (100 ft⋅lbf) @4000 rpm (Twin carburettor)

Second series (1986-1989)

Engines

• 1.3 flat-4, 58 kW (79 PS; 78 bhp) (Single carburettor)
• 1.3 flat-4, 63 kW (86 PS; 84 bhp) (Twin carburettor)
• 1.5 flat-4, 77 kW (105 PS; 103 bhp) (Twin carburettor)
• 1.5i flat-4, 77 kW (105 PS; 103 bhp) (Twin carburettor)
• 1.7 flat-4 , 1712 cc, 87 kW (118 PS; 117 bhp) (Twin carburettor)
• 1.8 TD straight-3, 1779 cc, 54 kW (73 PS; 72 bhp) (KKK 14 turbocharger)

Third series (1989-1995)

Series III

Engines

• 1.3 flat-4, 63 kW (86 PS; 84 bhp) (Twin carburettor)
• 1.4 ie flat-4 , 66 kW (90 PS; 89 bhp) (Weber IAW)
• 1.5 flat-4, 77 kW (105 PS; 103 bhp) (Twin DRLA40 carburettors)
• 1.5 ie 1490 cc flat-4, 70 kW (95 PS; 94 bhp) @6000 rpm, 125 N⋅m (92 ft⋅lbf) @4500 rpm
• 1.7 ie 1712 cc flat-4, 81 kW (110 PS; 109 bhp)/cat. 77 kW (105 PS; 103 bhp) @5800 rpm, 145 N⋅m (107 ft⋅lbf) @4500 rpm (Bosch L3.1)
• 1.7 ie 16V 1712 cc flat-4, 95 kW (129 PS; 127 bhp) @6500 rpm, 151 N⋅m (111 ft⋅lbf) @4600 rpm (Bosch Motronic ML4.1)
• 1.7 ie 16V flat-4, 101 kW (137 PS; 135 bhp)/cat. 97 kW (132 PS; 130 bhp) (Bosch Motronic ML4.1)
• 1.8 TDI straight-3, 62 kW (84 PS; 83 bhp)

External links

• Dutch alfaclub with lots of technical information
• International Enthusiasts Forum (Part of the Slightly Technical Alfa Romeo 33 Pages)
• Alfa Romeo 33 Restoration and Technical Information
• Alfa Romeo 33 service manuals downloads site