Alfa Romeo 75

Alfa Romeo 75/Milano
Manufacturer:	Alfa Romeo
Production:	1985-1992
Body Styles:	FR compact sedan
Predecessors:	Alfa Romeo Giulietta Alfa Romeo Alfetta
Successor:	Alfa Romeo 155
Competitors:

The Alfa Romeo 75, sold in North America as the Milano, was a compact sports sedan produced by the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo between 1985 and 1992.

Overview

The 75 was introduced in May of 1985 to replace the Alfetta and Giulietta (both with which it shared many components), and was named to celebrate Alfa's 75th year of production. The body, designed by Ermanno Cressoni, was styled in a striking wedge shape, tapering at the front with square headlights and a matching grille (similar features were applied to the Cressoni-designed 33). The 75 featured some unusual technical features, most notably the fact that it was almost perfectly balanced from front to rear. This was achieved by mounting the standard 5-speed gearbox in the rear connected to the rear differential (RWD). The front suspension was a torsion bar and shock absorber combination and the rear an expensive de-dion assembly with shock absorbers; these designs were intended to optimize the car's handling. The engine crankshaft was bolted directly to the two-segment driveshaft which ran the length of the underside from the engine block to the gearbox, and rotated at the speed of the engine. The shaft segments were joined with elastomeric 'doughnuts' to prevent vibration and engine/gearbox damage. The 75 engine range at launch featured 4-cylinder 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 liter petrol carbureted engines, a 2.0 liter intercooled turbo diesel, and a 2.5 liter fuel injected V6. In 1987, a 3.0 liter V6 was added. However, in North America, where the car was known as the Milano, only the 2.5 and 3.0 V6s were available, from 1987 to 1989.

The interior featured what for its time was an advanced dashboard-mounted diagnostic computer, capable of monitoring the engine systems and alerting the drivers of potential faults.

On the Geneva Auto Show 1986 a prototype 75 Sports Wagon was to be seen, an attractive forerunner of the later 156 Sports Wagon. This version was, however, nixed after Fiat took control of Alfa Romeo.

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Alfa Romeo Milano Verde 3.0 at Wheels Of Italy

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Alfa Romeo Milano Verde 3.0 at Wheels Of Italy

Engines as of initial launch

Launched: May 1985.

• 1.6 with 110 bhp @ 5800 rpm
• 1.8 with 120 bhp @ 5300 rpm
• 2.0 with 128 bhp @ 5400 rpm

Engines revised 1986

January 1986:

• 1.8 L4 Turbo 155 bhp @ 5,800rpm

February 1986:

• 2.5 V6 with 156 bhp @ 5600 rpm ('Milano' - US markets only).

Engines revised 1987

• 2.0 TS with 148 bhp @ 5800 rpm
• 3.0 V6 with 188 bhp @ 5800 rpm

Engines revised 1988

• 1.6 catalytic with 105 bhp @ 6000 rpm
• 1.8 catalytic with 155 bhp @ 5800 rpm

Engines revised 1990

• 1.8 Turbo Quadrifoglio Verde with 165 bhp @ 5800 rpm
• 2.0 TS with 148 bhp @ 5800 rpm

Engines revised 1992

• 1.6 catalytic with 107 bhp @ 6000 rpm
• 2.0 TD with 95 bhp @ 4300 rpm (European markets only).

End of production

1992