Alfa Romeo 90

Alfa Romeo 90
Overview
Manufacturer	Alfa Romeo
Production	1984–1987
Assembly	Arese, Milan, Italy
Designer	Marcello Gandini (Bertone)
Body and chassis
Class	Compact executive car
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Related	Alfa Romeo Alfetta Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Powertrain
Engine	1.8 L I4 (gasoline) 2.0 L I4 (gasoline) 2.0 L V6 (gasoline) 2.5 L V6 (gasoline) 2.4 L VM I4 (t/c diesel)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,510 mm (98.8 in)
Length	4,390 mm (172.8 in)
Width	1,640 mm (64.6 in)
Height	1,420 mm (55.9 in)
Curb weight	1,080–1,250 kg (2,380–2,760 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Alfa Romeo Alfa 6
Successor	Alfa Romeo 164

The Alfa Romeo 90 (Type 162A) is an executive car produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo between 1984 and 1987.

History

Designed by Bertone and introduced at the 1984 Turin Motor Show, the 90 was pitched between the Alfa Romeo Giulietta (nuova) and the Alfa Romeo Alfa 6, both of which were soon discontinued after the 90's launch. The car used the Alfetta chassis (including its rear mounted transaxle) and took its engines from the larger Alfa 6. The bodywork was similar to both, albeit modernised. One notable feature of the 90's design was small chin spoiler which extended above a certain speed to aid engine cooling. Its angular lines with integrated bumpers gave the car a neat look consistent with the period, however the aerodynamics suffered with a drag coefficient of (Cx) 0,37.

The 90 was well-equipped, including electric front windows and electrically adjustable seats as standard. The luxurious Gold Cloverleaf (Quadrifglio Oro) model had electric rear windows, a trip computer, power steering, central locking, metallic paint and a digital instrument panel as standard.

The 90 was revamped in 1986 with many minor changes throughout, the most obvious exterior change being a new grille with smaller horizontal slants. Total 56,428 cars were sold within 4 years.

The 90 was made only as sedan but in 1985 Carrozzeria Marazzi developed an Alfa 90 Station Wagon prototype, only two cars were made.

Suspension

The Alfa 90 has longitudinal front engine, rear mounted gearbox with differential lock, independent front suspension wishbones with torsion bar springs and rear De Dion tube. It has disc brakes on all four wheels, the rear brakes are mounted inboard.

Engines

Five engines were available: two Alfa Romeo Twin Cam engines; the 1,779 cc and 1,962 cc with fuel injection and two Alfa Romeo V6 engines: 1,996 cc V6 fuel injection, 2,492 cc V6 fuel injection and 2,393 cc turbodiesel made by VM Motori. The 1,962 cc injection also incorporated a variable camshaft timing system.

The 2.0 V6 version was dedicated to the Italian market, the cars over 2.0 liters had a "surcharge" substantial at the time. It was equipped with innovative electronic injection system CEM (Controllo Elettronico Motore), developed by Alfa Romeo subsidiary SPICA. It manages the opening time of the injectors and the ignition depending on the angle of butterflies, one per cylinder unlike the Bosch Jetronic used in 2.5 V.

Model	Chassis code	Disp.	Engine code	Max. power	Fuel system	Top speed	Production	Units produced
Petrol engines
90 1.8	ZAR162A10	1,779 cc (108.6 cu in)	AR06202	120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp)	Two carburettors	186 km/h (116 mph)	1984–1987	4,930
90 1.8 Super	ZAR162A10	1,779 cc (108.6 cu in)	AR06202	120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp)	Two double carburettors	188 km/h (117 mph)	1986–1987	1,040
90 2.0	ZAR162A20	1,962 cc (119.7 cu in)	AR06212	128 PS (94 kW; 126 hp)	Two double carburettors	191 km/h (119 mph)	1984–1987	4,288
90 2.0 IE	ZAR162A2A	1,962 cc (119.7 cu in)	AR01713	128 PS (94 kW; 126 hp)	Bosch Motronic fuel injection	190 km/h (118 mph)	1984–1987	23,057
90 2.0I V6	ZAR162A2B	1,996 cc (121.8 cu in)	AR06210	132 PS (97 kW; 130 hp)	SPICA fuel injection	195 km/h (121 mph)	1985–1987	1,577
90 2.0I V6 Super	ZAR162A2B	1,996 cc (121.8 cu in)	AR06210	132 PS (97 kW; 130 hp)	SPICA fuel injection	195 km/h (121 mph)	1985–1987
90 2.5I V6	ZAR162A00	2,492 cc (152.1 cu in)	AR01646	156 PS (115 kW; 154 hp)	Bosch Jetronic fuel injection	203 km/h (126 mph)	1984–1987	6,212
90 2.5I V6 Super	ZAR162A00	2,492 cc (152.1 cu in)	AR01646	156 PS (115 kW; 154 hp)	Bosch Jetronic fuel injection	205 km/h (127 mph)	1986–1987
Diesel engines
90 2.4 TD	ZAR162A30	2,393 cc (146.0 cu in)	VM81A01	105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp)	Turbodiesel VM	178 km/h (111 mph)	1984–1987	11,274
90 2.4 TD Super	ZAR162A30	2,393 cc (146.0 cu in)	VM4HT	110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp)	Turbodiesel VM	180 km/h (112 mph)	1986–1988	4,050
Total							1984–1987	56,428

Today

Practical Classics, a well-known classic car magazine, reported that only 10 Alfa Romeo 90s remain on British roads. As of June 2011, only one, a Gold Cloverleaf, is licensed with the DVLA, with a further six on SORN.

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Last updated on 10 February 2014 at 01:17.