Alfa Romeo Alfa 6

Alfa Romeo Alfa 6
Overview
Manufacturer	Alfa Romeo
Also called	Alfa Sei
Production	1979–1986
Assembly	Arese, Milan, Italy
Body and chassis
Class	Executive car
Body style	sedan
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Related	Alfa Romeo Alfetta
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L V6 (petrol) 2.5 L V6 (petrol) 2.5 L VM HR588 I5 (diesel)
Transmission	5-speed manual 3-speed ZF automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,600 mm (100 in)
Length	4,760 mm (187 in)
Width	1,680 mm (66 in)
Height	1,420 mm (56 in)
Curb weight	1,480 kg (3,260 lb) (petrol) 1,580 kg (3,480 lb) (turbodiesel)
Chronology
Successor	Alfa Romeo 2600 Alfa Romeo 90

The Alfa Romeo Alfa 6 (Type 119) is an executive car produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo from 1979 to 1986.

History

On its launch in 1979, the Alfa 6 was the flagship of the Alfa Romeo range. The four-door body was fairly conventional and used a similar style to the existing Alfa Romeo Alfetta, and in fact both vehicles share a great number of parts, including door panels; Design work on the 6 was done prior to the Alfa Romeo Alfetta, but the fuel crisis of 1973 delayed further development and led to the 6's belated 1979 debut. The styling was not particularly aerodynamic but the drag coefficient was a somewhat respectable 0.41. Power came from an all-new 2.5 V6 engine which generated 158 PS (116 kW; 156 hp) at 5600 rpm using a total of six carburettors and a single, belt driven camshaft in each cylinder head. Power steering, power windows, central locking, electric wing mirrors and a 25% limited slip differential were standard, making the Alfa 6 competitively priced compared to similar saloons of that time where such equipment typically was a costly extra. The car was also designed to set new standards in safety; for example it featured a shock sensor in the boot which would cut off the fuel supply in the event of a crash.

The engine and gearbox were situated at the front and a limited slip differential at the rear. The 6 was fitted with four disc brakes, with the rear ones inboard, to reduce unsprung weight. The 6 has de Dion tube at the rear and it has independent front corners, the gearbox was also located in the front. A three speed automatic transmission from ZF was available as an option, the ZF hydraulic power steering was the first to be fitted to an Alfa Romeo.

Facelift

In 1983, the car was revamped, with single rectangle headlights replacing the twin round units, new bumpers, a new grille and new trim around the rear lights. Minor interior changes were also carried out, whilst mechanically the engine's troublesome six carburettors were replaced by Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, with the power remaining at 158 PS (116 kW; 156 hp). This revamp also saw the introduction of two new engines, a 2.0 version of the existing V6 engine (which retained the carburettors and was specific for the Italian market, where engines larger than two liters were heavily taxed) and a 2.5 litre VM 5 cylinder turbodiesel.

The Bertone Delfino concept car in 1983 was based on Alfa 6.

Alfa Romeo Alfa 6 first series

Alfa Romeo Alfa 6 second series

Engines

Model	Engine	Displacement	Power	Torque	Years
Petrol engines
Alfa 6 2.0 V6	V6	1,997 cc (6 single Dell'Orto carburetors)	99 kW (135 PS) at 5,600 rpm	178 Nm (131 lbft) at 4,500 rpm	1983–1986
Alfa 6 2.5	V6	2,492 cc (6 single Dell'Orto carburetors)	118 kW (160 PS) at 5,800 rpm	219 Nm (162 lbft) at 4,000 rpm	1979–1982
Alfa 6 2.5 V6 QO	V6	2,492 cc (Bosch L-Jetronic)	116 kW (158 PS) at 5,600 rpm	215 Nm (159 lbft) at 4,000 rpm	1983–1986
Diesel engine
Alfa 6 2.5 TD	I5	2,494 cc VM turbodiesel	77 kW (105 PS) at 4,300 rpm	206 Nm (152 lbft) at 2,400 rpm	1983–1986

Statistics

Total built: 12,070

• With carburetted 2.5 litre V6 petrol engine: 5,748
• With fuel injected 2.5 litre V6 petrol engine: 1,574
• With 2.0 litre V6 petrol engine: 1,771
• With 2.5 litre VM turbodiesel engine: 2,977

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Last updated on 25 April 2014 at 13:03.