1997 Alfa Romeo 146 (930, facelift 1997) Dimensions, Size & Specs

The curb weight of the Alfa Romeo 146 facelift varies between 1160 kg to 1275 kg (2557 to 2810 lbs), depending on the variant and equipment. Its maximum permissible weight ranges from 1680 kg to 1800 kg (3704 to 3968 lbs), ensuring that the vehicle complies with safety standards and maintains performance under fully loaded conditions.

The Alfa Romeo 146 offers a luggage capacity of 380 liters (13.4 cubic feet) with rear seats in use, providing practical storage for daily needs or weekend trips. When the rear seats are folded down, the cargo space expands significantly to 1225 liters (43.3 cubic feet), enhancing its versatility for larger loads such as sports equipment or larger shopping hauls.

Standard rim sizes for the Alfa Romeo 146 facelift include options of 6 J x 15 and 5.5 J x 14. The compatible tire sizes that come with the vehicle are primarily 195/55 R 15 and 175/65 R 14. These tire and rim sizes provide a balance of performance, ride comfort, and road handling suitable for its compact hatchback classification.

Yes, the Alfa Romeo 146 facelift fits comfortably into a standard residential garage. With its length of 4257 mm (167.5 inches) and width of 1712 mm (67.4 inches), it can easily be accommodated in garages designed to fit vehicles up to around 4600 mm (181 inches) long and 2400 mm (94.5 inches) wide. Its moderate height of 1425 mm (56.1 inches) also poses no clearance issues in typical home garages.

The Alfa Romeo 146 facelift delivers competitive interior space for a compact hatchback produced in the late 1990s. Its reasonably spacious cabin combined with a substantial luggage area of 380 liters (13.4 cubic feet) offers better utility compared to many rivals, reflecting Alfa Romeo's attention to functional design without compromising its sporty appeal. Folding rear seats further improve cargo flexibility, an advantage over certain competitors with less adaptable interiors.

The 1997 facelift of the Alfa Romeo 146 maintained the same foundational dimensions as its predecessor. Both versions share a length of approximately 4257 mm (167.5 inches), width of 1712 mm (67.4 inches), and height near 1425 mm (56.1 inches). The facelift primarily focused on design updates, improved interior comfort, and performance refinement rather than changing the car's size or footprint.

The Alfa Romeo 146 facelift stands out with dimensions comparable to contemporaries such as the Volkswagen Golf Mk3 and the early Ford Focus. With its length of 4257 mm (167.5 inches), it is slightly longer than the Golf Mk3 (~4235 mm / 166.7 inches) and close to the Focus (~4257 mm / 167.5 inches). Its luggage space of 380 liters is competitive but somewhat less than the Focus, which offers around 432 liters. The 146 balances sporty styling and practical cabin space, making it an appealing choice against its more mainstream rivals.

The Alfa Romeo 146 facelift continued to offer a range of engines, mostly inline-four petrol units and some diesel variants, depending on the market. Engine sizes ranged from 1.4 to 1.6 liters and up to around 2.0 liters in some models. These powertrains were designed to emphasize smooth power delivery and sporty driving dynamics, characteristic of Alfa Romeo’s emphasis on driver engagement during the late 1990s.

Fuel efficiency in the Alfa Romeo 146 facelift depends on the engine variant but typically, petrol engines in the 1.4 to 2.0-liter range achieve mid to high teens in liters per 100 kilometers (approximately 14-8 L/100 km, or 16.8-29.4 mpg US). These figures were on par with competitors of its era, balancing performance and economy reasonably well. Diesel variants offered improved fuel economy, making the 146 a practical option for both city commuting and longer journeys.