Alfasud Sprint turned 50

The Alfasud Sprint was presented to the press in September 1976 and first shown to the general public at the Turin Motor Show in November. It was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, who a few years earlier had also designed the standard Alfasud hatchback, which served as the basis for the sports coupé piese auto online.

Alfasud Sprint turned 50

The Alfasud Sprint is produced alongside the Alfasud at the brand's new plant in Pomigliano d'Arco in southern Italy (hence the original name Sud, meaning south in Italian). In addition to the standard 1186 cc boxer engine, the Alfasud Sprint is also available with an increased displacement of 1286 cc, which is fed by a twin-choke carburettor and develops 76 hp at 6000 rpm. It is mated to a five-speed, fully synchronized gearbox. The interior is upholstered in dark brown Texalfa leatherette and tartan. Available options are limited to alloy wheels, a quartz clock and metallic paint.

In May 1978, the Alfasud Sprint underwent its first technical and stylistic updates. The engine range was expanded with two more boxer engines, shared with the updated Alfasud ti – the 1.3 (1350 cc) with 79 hp and the 1.5 (1490 cc) with 85 hp, while the earlier 1186 cc units were no longer available, remaining exclusive to the Alfasud. Many of the decorative chrome details on the exterior were replaced with matt black stainless steel or plastic, such as the side mirrors, window frames and rear pillar ornaments. The B-pillars also received a black finish, the side indicators were repositioned and now square, and the front indicators were replaced with amber lenses. The seats had a more pronounced contour and were upholstered in a new material.

Just a year later, in June 1979, a new engine update was made, resulting in the Alfasud Sprint becoming the Alfasud Sprint Veloce. Thanks to 2-chamber carburetors with two chokes and a higher compression ratio, power was increased to 86 hp and 95 hp for the 1.3- and 1.5-liter versions, respectively.

In February 1983, Alfa Romeo modernized all its sports cars, with the Sprint receiving a complete facelift. The Alfasud prefix and Veloce suffix were dropped and the car became known as the Alfa Romeo Sprint (the all-new Alfa Romeo 33 was launched shortly afterwards, replacing the Alfasud a few months later). The Sprint initially retained the platform of the earlier version, but in late 1984 it received an improved platform similar to that of the Alfa Romeo 33. The Sprint range had three main models: the 1.3 and 1.5, whose engines and specifications were the same as the Alfasud Sprint Veloce, and the new 1.5 Quadrifoglio Verde. The stylistic update involved a number of changes, such as new headlights, wing mirrors, window frames, C-pillar ornaments and a different grille. The bumpers became all-plastic, and large plastic protective strips were added to the sides of the body. Both models have coloured trims, which are grey for the 1.3-litre engine, and red and green for the 1.5 and 1.5 Quadrifoglio versions respectively. The new trapezoidal rear lights are connected to the number plate holder by a black plastic strip decorated with the Alfa Romeo emblem. The seats and steering wheel are completely new, and the dashboard and door panels have also been substantially revised. The Sprint 1.3 and 1.5 are available with steel wheels with black hubcaps from the Alfasud ti.

The new 1.5 Quadrifoglio Verde variant was shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1983. It was equipped with a 1490 cc carburettor boxer engine, revised to generate a higher power of 105 hp at 6000 rpm, and the front brake discs were ventilated.

In November 1987, the Sprint was updated for the last time, with the 1.5-liter version gradually discontinued and the 1.5 QV replaced by the 118 hp Sprint 1.7 Quadrifoglio Verde.

During its 14-year history from 1976 to 1989, the Sprint was produced in a total of 116,552 units. The model has no direct predecessor or successor, although at a later stage its successor can be mentioned as the Alfa Romeo GT coupe, which is derived from the Alfa Romeo 156 and 147.

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Car parts AutoPower

The Alfasud Sprint is produced alongside the Alfasud at the brand's new plant in Pomigliano d'Arco in southern Italy (hence the original name Sud, meaning south in Italian)

In May 1978, the Alfasud Sprint underwent its first technical and stylistic updates