Production | |
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Model Year: | 1976 |
Production Years: | 1976 - 1989 discontinued in 1989 |
The Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint (902.A) is a distinctive compact coupe produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo from 1976 to 1989. This generation of the Alfasud Sprint is notable for its unique blend of compact dimensions, sporty styling, and front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout. As a coupe variant of the popular Alfasud series, the Sprint offered enthusiasts an engaging and stylish alternative with its sleek, aerodynamic profile and light chassis.
The Alfasud Sprint’s design featured a relatively compact footprint, roughly measuring around 3.9 to 4 meters (approximately 153 to 157 inches) in length—typical of small European sports coupes of the era—making it agile in urban environments while maintaining a sporty stance. Its width and height complemented the low-slung, sporty coupe body style, ensuring it had a balanced road presence. The lightweight nature of the vehicle, combined with the efficient boxer engine commonly used in Alfasud models, contributed to sporty handling dynamics and a responsive driving experience.
Produced over 13 years, the Alfasud Sprint managed to merge practicality with style, catering to drivers who sought a spirited drive in a compact automobile without compromising Alfa Romeo's signature Italian design flair. The model's production period from 1976 through 1989 allowed it to bridge the gap between classic 1970s automotive characteristics and the evolving design and engineering trends of the 1980s.
Today, the Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint remains a celebrated classic car, appreciated by collectors and enthusiasts for its historical significance as Alfa Romeo’s innovative venture into front-wheel-drive compacts, as well as for its dynamic driving attributes and stylish design. Ideal for those interested in a compact coupe with vintage Italian character, the 902.A generation Alfasud Sprint represents a key piece of Alfa Romeo's rich automotive heritage.
Discover the standout features that make the 1976 Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint a leader in its class
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The Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint (902.A), produced from 1976 to 1989, is a compact coupe with an approximate length of 3998 mm (157.3 inches), a width of about 1650 mm (65 inches), and a height close to 1320 mm (52 inches). These dimensions characterize the car as a small sports coupe designed for nimble urban and spirited driving. Its relatively low height contributes to a sporty and aerodynamic stance, while the moderate width provides a balanced cabin space without compromising maneuverability on tight streets or parking environments.
The Alfasud Sprint, being a compact coupe, offers seating primarily for four passengers, although the rear seats are best suited for short trips or smaller passengers due to limited legroom. Its compact external dimensions mean a cozy cabin environment designed for driver engagement rather than expansive passenger accommodation. Cargo space is modest, fitting everyday uses, with a rear trunk capacity typically adequate for groceries or small luggage but limited for larger items. This setup aligns with the car's sporty coupe intentions rather than family transport utility.
The Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint weighs around 950 kg (approximately 2,094 lbs), which is relatively lightweight for its class and era. This modest weight contributes significantly to the vehicle's agile handling and sporty driving dynamics, as lower weight enhances acceleration, braking, and cornering capabilities. The lightweight construction was a key factor that complemented the car's front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout, making the Alfasud Sprint a favorite among enthusiasts looking for a responsive and engaging driving experience.
Yes, the Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint generally fits comfortably into a standard single-car garage. Most standard garages are built to accommodate vehicles up to approximately 5,000 mm (196.8 inches) in length and around 2,400 mm (94.5 inches) in width. With its length of about 3998 mm (157.3 inches) and width of 1650 mm (65 inches), the Alfasud Sprint is well within these spatial limits. Its compact size not only makes parking easier but also allows for some maneuvering space around the car inside the garage for storing tools or accessing the vehicle.
The Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint differs from its predecessor, the Alfasud hatchback, mainly in body style and dimensions. While the original Alfasud hatchback was a practical five-door vehicle, the Sprint coupe has a sleeker two-door configuration. Dimensionally, the Sprint is slightly longer and lower, with a more aggressive stance tailored to sporty driving. The hatchback typically had a more upright shape to maximize interior space, resulting in slightly greater height, whereas the Sprint focused on aerodynamics and style with a lower roofline. Both share a similar width, but the Sprint's design prioritizes sporty aesthetics and driving dynamics over the hatchback's practical dimensions.
When compared to other compact coupes from the late 1970s and 1980s such as the VW Scirocco, Ford Capri, and Opel Manta, the Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint is somewhat smaller in overall footprint. Its length of roughly 3998 mm (157.3 inches) and width of 1650 mm (65 inches) make it more compact, contributing to a nimble driving feel. While competitors might offer a bit more interior space or trunk capacity, the Sprint's emphasis was on lightweight construction and sporty handling rather than sheer size. This makes it stand out as a focused driver’s coupe in a market segment often balancing style and practicality.
The Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint features a wheelbase of approximately 2430 mm (95.7 inches), which is relatively short and contributes to agile handling and a tight turning radius. The ground clearance is relatively low at about 140 mm (5.5 inches), enhancing stability and reducing aerodynamic drag but requiring caution on uneven surfaces or speed bumps. The combination of a short wheelbase and low ground clearance gives the Sprint its nimble and sporty character, making it enjoyable to drive on twisty roads, although it demands careful driving on rough terrain.
The fuel tank capacity of the Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint is approximately 45 liters (11.9 US gallons), which was sufficient for the era and the car's compact size. Fuel consumption typically ranged between 7 to 10 liters per 100 kilometers (approximately 23.5 to 33.6 miles per gallon US), depending on engine options, the condition of the vehicle, and driving style. The combination of a lightweight chassis and efficient engine design contributed to reasonable fuel economy for a sporty coupe of the 1970s and 1980s, balancing performance and running costs.
The Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint is designed to accommodate four passengers with two seats in the front and a small rear bench. Compared to modern coupes, which often emphasize rear passenger comfort more, the Sprint’s rear seats are quite compact, intended more for occasional use or smaller passengers. The reduced rear space aligns with sporty, driver-focused design trends of its time. Modern coupes may offer more legroom and comfort in the rear, but the Alfasud Sprint remains a classic example of a compact, sport-oriented coupe from the late '70s and '80s.
The Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint is distinguished by its clean, wedge-shaped exterior styling with smooth lines and a compact, sporty profile. It features a distinctive front with Alfa Romeo’s iconic triangular grille and round headlamps, blending Italian design flair with aerodynamic considerations. Its coupe body style, with a sharply raked rear window and minimalist chrome trim, sets it apart from more conventional hatchbacks or saloons of the time. The lightweight steel construction and purposeful stance further reinforce its identity as a driver-focused sports coupe with classic Italian design aesthetics.