Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT

The development of the "Tipo 116" project line began in 1967 with the goal of filling the large commercial gap between the compact Giulia model (Tipo 105) and the 2000 Berlina luxury sedan. Under the technical direction of Austrian engineer Rudolf Hruska and with design coordinated by Orazio Satta Puliga, the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo conceived a mid-size/executive sedan capable of offering ample family space without compromising the brand's historically agile behavior and sportiness.

The name "Alfetta" (which translates from Italian as "little Alfa") was chosen as a tribute to the legendary Alfa Romeo Tipo 158 and 159 Formula 1 cars. These racing cars, world champions in 1950 and 1951 in the hands of Giuseppe Farina and Juan Manuel Fangio, utilized a similar mechanical arrangement for the rear suspension and gearbox placement.

The official launch of the sedan took place in May 1972, near the city of Trieste. However, the start of industrial production was marked by severe labor disputes and strikes in Italy, which meant that the model only entered continuous manufacturing from mid-1973 onwards. In the UK market, sales only began in the spring of 1974 at a price of £2,449, a value that positioned the Italian sedan in a price bracket slightly above direct competitors such as the Triumph Dolomite Sprint and the Audi 100 GL. The initial equipment package was refined for the category, including a height-adjustable steering column, a manual choke, 1970s-style fabric trim, and even a hand throttle.

The Alfetta's engineering revolutionized Alfa Romeo's mechanical construction standard by adopting a rear transmission system known as a transaxle. While the light-alloy engine remained mounted at the front of the vehicle, the clutch assembly, the five-speed manual gearbox, and the limited-slip differential were combined in a single metal casing installed directly on the rear axle.

This physical distribution of components allowed the vehicle to achieve an almost perfect weight balance of 50% on the front axle and 50% on the rear axle. In practice, this reduced the automobile's polar moment of inertia (its ability to pivot on its own axis), resulting in quick steering responses, neutral behavior in high-speed corners, and excellent traction.

The connection between the front engine and the rear transaxle was made by a driveshaft divided into two sections that constantly spun at the same rotational speed as the engine. Although the arrangement provided stability, controlling the vibrations of this long transmission proved to be one of the model's greatest mechanical and maintenance challenges throughout its entire lifespan.

At the rear of the chassis, the vehicle used a De Dion tube-type suspension scheme associated with a Watt's linkage and coil springs for lateral and longitudinal control. The De Dion tube kept the rear wheels parallel to each other during hard cornering and braking, eliminating camber variations and keeping the tire contact patch constant with the ground.

To further reduce the weight that did not depend directly on the rear springs (unsprung mass), the rear brake discs were moved to the output of the rear transmission casing (inboard brakes), instead of being installed at the wheels. This engineering significantly reduced the moving mass in the suspension, although it generated more heat transfer to the differential and made mechanical access difficult for routine maintenance, such as changing pads.

The following table demonstrates the dynamic gain provided by this engineering in relation to a conventional solid rear axle system:

This reduction of more than 50 kg of weight that did not depend on the rear springs allowed the suspension to respond much faster to asphalt irregularities, ensuring constant stability on highways. At the front, the suspension used overlapping arms (double wishbones) with longitudinal torsion bars. Steering control was by rack and pinion, which brought much more precision compared to the worm gear systems of previous Alfa Romeos. For driver protection, the steering column was divided into two parts with universal joints and a padded steering wheel collapsible against frontal impacts.

The sedan's exterior design was elaborated under an unusual practical requirement from director Rudolf Hruska: the trunk of the new mid-size model had to have enough space to accommodate four standard-size large suitcases (720x430x230 mm each). This determined the car's tall and imposing rear design, which ended up generating an excellent aerodynamic coefficient of 0.42, an extremely low number for three-box sedans of that era.

[1972: Launch of the 1.8] ──> [1975: 1.6 Version and New Grille on the 1.8] ──> [1977: Arrival of the Alfetta 2000]
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1972 to 1975: The Initial Model and the Introduction of the 1.6 Engine

The original sedan came factory-equipped with the traditional light-alloy engine with wet cylinder liners and dual overhead camshafts of 1,779 cc (commercially dubbed the 1.8), fed by two twin-choke Weber 40 carburetors, which generated 122 hp and reached a top speed of 180 km/h.

In 1975, to mitigate the high fuel costs stemming from the international oil crisis, Alfa Romeo launched the Alfetta 1.6 with a 1,570 cc, 109 hp engine. This was the first time in fifty years that Alfa Romeo named a street model by its volumetric capacity measured in liters (1.6) rather than cubic centimeters.

The 1.6-liter model was easily identified by having only two large circular headlights on each side of the front end, instead of the original four small circular headlights. At the same time, the 1.8-liter model was renamed "Alfetta 1.8" and received an updated front grille with chrome trims and a slightly wider central Alfa Romeo shield to visually differentiate it from the cheaper model.

1977: The Alfetta 2000

Presented at the 1977 Geneva Motor Show, the Alfetta 2000 came to replace the old Alfa Romeo 2000 Berlina. This top-of-the-line version was 10.5 cm longer than the others, featuring an entirely new front section with two wide rectangular headlights and larger polyurethane bumpers integrating the turn signal lights. The rectangular taillights and the rear pillar ("C" pillar) air vents were modified.

Internally, the instrument panel was completely redesigned, featuring rotary drum-type dials for coolant temperature and oil pressure, in addition to an unprecedented steering wheel and higher-standard upholstery.

In 1978, Alfa updated this version to the "Alfetta 2000 L" (Lusso), raising the 1,962 cc engine's maximum power to 130 hp and adding faux wood trim appliques on the console and dashboard.

1979: Electronic Injection and the VM Motori Turbodiesel

In 1979, the 2.0-liter engine gained SPICA mechanical electronic fuel injection in the United States, where the sedan was sold under the name "Alfa Romeo Sport Sedan".

In parallel, the Alfetta Turbo D debuted, the first Italian-made passenger vehicle factory-equipped with a turbodiesel engine. Supplied by the marine and industrial engine manufacturer VM Motori, the 2.0-liter block yielded 82 hp.

Although it featured the same luxurious interior trim as the 2000 L gasoline version, the Turbo D did not have power steering assist as standard, which made urban driving tiring due to the additional 100 kg concentrated over the front axle.

1981 to 1982: Lineup Unification and Quadrifoglio Oro

At the end of 1981, Alfa Romeo launched the so-called "Series '82". All the sedan's engine options (1.6, 1.8, 2.0, and 2.0 Turbodiesel) adopted the same long-front bodywork and the refined interior trim standard of the 2.0-liter model, reducing complexity on the assembly line and lowering production costs.

In 1982, the luxurious Quadrifoglio Oro (QO) version was launched. This version came factory-equipped with Bosch electronic fuel injection, a simplified trip computer, a detailed diagnostic panel for quickly checking bulbs and fluids, power rear windows, and beige velour seats with power adjustments.

1983: The Final Facelift and CEM Technology

The sedan's third and definitive facelift brought wraparound plastic bumpers integrating a front spoiler, grey protective side moldings at the base of the doors, silver hubcaps, and a grey plastic rear molding that supported the license plate and taillights. The rear pillar air vents were moved to the sides of the rear window. Internally, the dashboard, doors, and instruments were revised, incorporating a roof console with reading lights and the power window buttons.

In this final year, Alfa Romeo made available a new 2.4-liter turbodiesel option from VM Motori with 95 hp. Also in 1983, the brand sold 991 units of the experimental Alfetta 2.0 CEM (Controllo Elettronico del Motore). The technology utilized an electronic management unit capable of shutting off injection and locking closed the intake and exhaust valves of cylinders 1 and 4 at speeds below 70 km/h or at idle. This created an air spring effect in the deactivated cylinders, reducing fuel consumption by 12% compared to conventional injection and by up to 25% against the standard carbureted engine. The sedan was discontinued in 1984, being replaced by the Alfa 90.

The table below summarizes the versions, manufacturing periods, and production volumes of the sedan:

Launched in 1974, the Alfetta GT shared the same innovative mechanical base as the sedan, but used a chassis with a wheelbase shortened by 11 cm, totaling 2.40 meters. The bodywork, featuring a fastback design and a tapered aerodynamic profile (drag coefficient of 0.39), was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro at the independent design studio Italdesign.

The project's goal was to replace the acclaimed 105/115 series sports coupe line (also designed by Giugiaro in the previous decade when he worked for the Bertone studio), offering greater utilization of the rear cabin space and excellent luggage volume under the rear glass hatch.

The instrument panel of the early models drew attention for having a very unusual, track-focused layout: only the analog engine speed dial (tachometer) was located in an individual pod directly in front of the steering wheel. The speedometer and auxiliary gauges for fuel level, oil pressure, and water temperature were all moved to the center of the dashboard, a bold styling choice that forced the driver to take their eyes off the road to check the driving speed.

1976 to 1979: Powertrain Evolution and Special Versions

In 1976, the original 1.8 coupe was phased out to make way for two new versions: the entry-level GT 1.6 model, equipped with a 109 hp 1.6-liter engine, and the top-of-the-line GTV 2.0 model (where the V stood for Veloce), featuring the 122 hp 2.0-liter engine.

The GTV 2.0 visually differed from the more basic model by having small black rubber protective overriders mounted on the chrome metal bumpers, additional air vents cut directly under the front grille to improve engine cooling, stamped steel wheels with square openings, and black emblems with the "GTV" inscription engraved in the plastic vents on the rear pillars.

In 1979, the 2.0-liter engine underwent updates to the camshaft profiles and the electronic ignition system, giving rise to the GTV 2.0 L (Lusso) version with 130 hp and a suspension with stiffer shock absorbers.

During this period, Alfa Romeo's official competition division, the tuner Autodelta, produced two special very high-performance versions for homologation:

• Alfetta GTV8 2.6 (1977): Developed at the request of the official Alfa Romeo importer for West Germany, this coupe came factory-equipped with the renowned 2.6-liter V8 engine inherited directly from the Alfa Romeo Montreal sports coupe. It generated 200 hp of maximum power, with artisanal production restricted to just 20 units.
• GTV 2000 Turbodelta (1979–1980): Italy's first factory turbocharged passenger vehicle. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine received a turbocharger from German manufacturer KKK and special pressurized carburetors that raised power to 150 hp. Exactly 400 units were assembled to meet the minimum quantity required by FIA Group 4 rally rules.

1980: The New GTV and the Introduction of the Busso V6 Engine

At the end of 1980, Alfa Romeo carried out the most profound restyling of the entire coupe line. The "Alfetta" inscription was removed from circulation, and the car was commercially renamed simply as the Alfa Romeo GTV.

All chrome exterior trim and metal bumpers were discarded in favor of matte black parts and wraparound synthetic resin plastic protectors. The rear taillights were redesigned to form an integrated block, and the interior dashboard adopted a much more practical and conventional design, gathering all the clocks and dials directly behind the steering wheel.

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Alongside the 130 hp GTV 2.0, the big technical news was the introduction of the GTV6 2.5. The car was powered by the 2.5-liter "Busso" V6 engine with Bosch L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection and a single overhead camshaft (SOHC), producing 158 hp.

To accommodate the superior height of the six-cylinder engine, the GTV6's hood featured a quite striking black central resin bulge. Furthermore, the GTV6 came equipped with front brakes featuring self-ventilated discs, reinforced driveshafts, a larger limited-slip differential, and a front suspension calibration with a greater camber angle to drastically reduce the tendency to push the front end (understeer) in high-speed corners. In 1981, Alfa offered the limited sports version "Grand Prix" painted in red with dark grey alloy wheels.

1983: The Series 2 Facelift of the GTV6

In 1983, Alfa Romeo updated both versions of the coupe. In the cabin, the front seats were replaced by sports units supplied by Recaro with headrests hollowed out by a mesh net and striped central upholstery.

The door panels were simplified with the removal of the upper manual locks, the radio antenna wiring was integrated into the windshield glass, the exterior rearview mirrors gained plastic covers painted in the same color as the bodywork, and power adjustment controls. The lower decorative strips on the side of the bodywork began to be painted in matte dark grey.

South African Special Homologation Versions

Alfa Romeo's South African subsidiary produced two rare versions highly valued by collectors:

• GTV6 3.0 V6 (1984–1985): Developed by the South African plant in Brits to compete in the local "Group One" touring car category, the Busso V6 engine had its displacement increased to 2.9 liters (2,934 cc) through components supplied directly from Italy (new pistons, crankshaft, and cylinder heads with larger valves). Because imported automatic injected Alfa 6 models were being withdrawn from the market due to breakdowns caused by the poor quality of local fuel, the branch decided to use a fuel delivery system with six individual Dell'Orto RFP40 carburetors. This mechanical carburetor arrangement required an exclusive locally manufactured fiberglass hood with a large central bulge. It generated 174 hp and reached a top speed of 224 km/h, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.3 seconds. Only 212 examples were produced.
• GTV6 Turbocharger: Used a Garrett turbo and a hood with a NACA-style air intake, with an estimated 750 units assembled in South Africa before production ended.

The table below summarizes the versions, manufacturing periods, and production volumes of the coupes based on the Tipo 116 chassis:

The total unified production of the entire family of models based on the Tipo 116 platform surpassed the 586,000 unit mark over its fifteen years of existence. The cars left a reputation for excellent dynamic behavior and balance in fast corners. The dynamic tuning of the transaxle chassis continued to influence Alfa Romeo's designs for the following decades, consolidating the Tipo 116 as one of the most influential mechanical architecture cars in the Italian automobile industry.