The Alfa Romeo Alfetta (Type 116) is a front-engined five-passenger saloon and fastback coupé built by Alfa Romeo from 1972 to 1987, with over 400,000 units produced. It was noted for its rear-mounted transaxle and De Dion tube rear suspension, which balanced the weight between the axles.
Alfa Romeo Alfetta at a glance
| Production | 1972–1987; over 400,000 units |
|---|---|
| Bodies | four-door saloon (Berlina) and fastback coupé (GT/GTV) |
| Layout | front engine, clutch and gearbox with the differential at the rear (transaxle) |
| Front suspension | double wishbones and longitudinal torsion bars |
| Rear suspension | De Dion tube with Watt’s linkage, inboard rear brakes |
| Original tyres | Pirelli Cinturato 165HR14 |
| Launch engine | 1.8 L four-cylinder (1972 saloon) |
| Derivatives | GTV, 90 and 75 |
This page is based on English Wikipedia only, so the figures could not be cross-checked against a second source.
History of the Alfa Romeo Alfetta
The Alfetta saloon was launched in 1972 with a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine as a three-box, four-door, five-passenger notchback penned in-house by the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, with a front end characterised by twin equal-sized headlamps. The name means “little Alfa” and comes from the nickname of the Alfa Romeo Alfetta (Tipo 159), the successful Formula One car, whose transaxle and De Dion layout the road car used.
The rear de Dion transaxle of the Alfetta and its derivatives, the GTV, 90 and 75, gave these cars excellent weight distribution, which contemporary reviews praised.
Design and features
- Transaxle: the clutch and gearbox sit at the rear together with the differential for balanced weight distribution, as on the 158/159 Grand Prix cars.
- Suspension: double wishbones and torsion bars at the front, a De Dion tube at the rear, with a Watt’s parallelogram linkage and inboard rear brakes.
- Interior: the coupé has an unusual central rev counter in front of the driver.
Alfa Romeo Alfetta versions
- Alfetta Berlina (1972): the four-door saloon.
- Alfetta GT / GTV: the fastback coupé.
- Derivatives: the Alfa Romeo 90 and 75 used the same transaxle layout.
More Alfa Romeo cars of the era are in our Alfa Romeo collection, for example the Alfa Romeo 75, the 158 Alfetta racing car and the GTV6.
Alfa Romeo Alfetta questions and answers
What does Alfetta mean?
“Little Alfa” in Italian, from the nickname of the Tipo 159 Formula One car.
When was the Alfetta built?
From 1972 to 1987.
What is special about its layout?
The gearbox and clutch are mounted at the rear with the differential (transaxle), and the rear axle is a De Dion tube.
How many were built?
Over 400,000.
Which cars share its layout?
The GTV, the Alfa 90 and the Alfa 75.
Sources
- Alfa Romeo Alfetta, English Wikipedia: design, history
