Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint

Category:

Description

The Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint was the sportier coupe version of the Alfasud, introduced in 1976 as a more stylish and performance-oriented variant of Alfa Romeo’s compact model. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign, the Alfasud Sprint featured a sleek and aerodynamic fastback profile, setting it apart from the standard Alfasud sedan. Its low-slung stance, distinctive front-end styling, and frameless side windows gave it a dynamic and elegant appearance, emphasizing its sporty character.

Under the hood, the Alfasud Sprint was powered by a range of flat-four boxer engines, starting with a 1.3-liter unit producing 76 horsepower. Over time, Alfa Romeo introduced more powerful versions, including 1.5-liter and 1.7-liter engines, with outputs reaching up to 118 horsepower in the later models. The low-mounted engine layout helped maintain a low center of gravity, enhancing stability and cornering performance. Paired with a fully independent suspension and precise steering, the Alfasud Sprint offered exceptional handling, making it one of the most engaging front-wheel-drive cars of its time.

The interior of the Alfasud Sprint was designed with a focus on sportiness and comfort. It featured deeply bolstered seats, a driver-oriented dashboard, and improved materials compared to the standard Alfasud. The instrumentation was clear and functional, reinforcing its performance-oriented nature. The fastback design allowed for a practical liftback-style rear hatch, providing decent luggage space despite its coupe-like proportions.

While the Alfasud Sprint was praised for its handling, styling, and driving experience, it suffered from the same rust issues as the standard Alfasud, largely due to the use of poor-quality steel. This affected its long-term durability, making well-preserved examples rare today. Despite this, the Alfasud Sprint remains a highly regarded classic among Alfa Romeo enthusiasts, celebrated for its combination of Italian design, responsive handling, and unique character.

The Alfasud Sprint eventually evolved into the Alfa Romeo Sprint in the early 1980s, receiving further updates and refinements. It played a crucial role in Alfa Romeo’s history, bridging the gap between the compact Alfasud and the brand’s more performance-focused models, demonstrating that even a small, affordable car could deliver an exciting and engaging driving experience.

Additional information

Manufacturer

Alfa Romeo

Country

Italy

Production Started

1976

Production Stopped

1979

Vehicle Type

Bodystyle

Coupe

Number of Doors

2

Number of Seats

4

Top Speed

108 mph (173 kph)

0-60 mph (0-100 kph)

12.3 s

Power

55 / 75 / 74 @ 6000 rpm

Torque

105 / 77 @ 3500 rpm

Engine Manufacturer

Alfa Romeo

Engine

B4

Engine Location

Front

Engine Displacement

1286 cc (78.1 cu in)

Valvetrain

OHC

Valves per Cylinder

2

Bore / Stroke

80 x 64 mm (3.15 x 2.52 in)

Compression Ratio

9:1

Cooling System

Water

Charging System

Fuel Type

Petrol

Fuel System

Carburator, 1 x Weber

Aspiration

Normal

Fuel Capacity

Drive

Front

Transmission

M5

Steering

Front Brakes

Rear Brakes

Front Suspension

Rear Suspension

Tyre Dimensions

Chassis

Weight

890 kg (1962 lb)

Length

4019 mm (158.2 in)

Width

1610 mm (63.4 in)

Height

1305 mm (51.4 in)

Wheelbase

2455 mm (96.7 in)