| Alfa Romeo Alfetta | |
|---|---|
.jpg) 1978 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV 2.0 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Alfa Romeo |
| Production | 1972–1987 |
| Assembly |
|
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door saloon 2-door coupé |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive |
| Related | |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Alfa Romeo 1750 and 2000 (Sedan) Alfa Romeo 105/115 Series Coupés |
| Successor | Alfa Romeo 90 (Sedan) Alfa Romeo GTV (916) |
The Alfa Romeo Alfetta (Type 116) is a front-engine, five-passenger saloon and fastback coupé manufactured and marketed by Italian automaker Alfa Romeo from 1972 to 1987 with a total over 400,000 units produced during its production run.
The Alfetta was noted for the rear position of its transaxle (clutch and transmission) and its De Dion tube rear suspension — an arrangement designed to optimize handling by balancing front/rear weight distribution, as well as maintaining a low polar moment of inertia and low center of gravity. The interior of Coupé models featured a then unusual central tachometer placement — by itself, directly in front of the driver.
The Alfetta name, which means "little Alfa" in Italian is derived from the nickname of the Alfa Romeo Alfetta (Tipo 159), a successful Formula One car which in its last iteration introduced in 1951, paired a transaxle layout to De Dion tube rear suspension — like its modern namesake.[1][2]
- ^ "Auto test—Alfa Romeo Alfetta". Autocar: 20–25. 20 April 1974.
- ^ C. R. (June 1974). "The Alfa Romeo Alfetta". Motor Sport. L (6): 576–578. Retrieved 2 March 2015.