South wind de luxe - Alfa Romeo Alfasud L in (historic) test

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South wind de luxe - Alfa Romeo Alfasud L in (historic) test

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Created on September 20, 1975

Text:

Paul Simsa

Photos:

Pierre La Roche

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud 1.2 (1972) - in a contemporary advertising photograph

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1971) - Giugiaro's design shows short overhangs and little chrome decoration

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1971) - four-door car without tailgate

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1971) - one of the first promotional pictures of the Alfasud

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1971) - rounded front and good aerodynamics

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1971) - rear view of the first version - promotional material from Alfa Romeo at the launch

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1971) - the first versions of the Alfasud had vinyl seats and rubber covers on the floor

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1971) - reclining seats covered with vinyl, no headrests on the first Alfasud version

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1972) - Advertising photo from 1972

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1972) - with longitudinally mounted boxer front engine

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1972) - the design was by Giorgetto Giugiaro

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1972) - View of the interior, the seat covers were made of vinyl

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1972) - first test drive with the Alfasud in 1972

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1972) - Engine compartment of the first Sud

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1973) - four-door model

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1973) - Interior with leatherette seats

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1974) - meets the highest demands

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The famous photo of an Alfa Romeo Alfasud by photographer Pierre La Roche

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1976) - pretty functional design

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud 5m (1977) - four-door model

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1971) - At an exhibition in Turin.

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1971) - Presentation in 1971

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1973) - four doors, five seats, 9,950 francs - at the 1973 Geneva Motor Show

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Rudolf Hruska, the Austrian engineer who designed the Alfasud

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1971) - View of the first Alfasud version

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1973) - the see-through drawing makes the technology visible

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud Super (1976) - Drawing of the front

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud Super (1976) - Drawing of the door panel

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud Super (1976) - Drawing of the interior

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud Super (1976) - Drawing of the cockpit

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1972) - Production line in the Mezzogiorno

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1972) - finished bodyshells waiting to be united with the technology

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Alfa Romeo Alfasud (1972) - production of the compact sedan at the Pomigliano d'Arco plant near Naples

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Plant in Pomigliano d'Arco, where the Alfasud was built

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Summary

From 1971, the Alfa Romeo Alfasud rolled off the production line in Naples, the first car plant in the south of Italy. Apart from minor flaws, it was a model of well-considered modernity and met the highest standards in terms of design and features. The Alfasud L was intended to attract customers from the simple standard model into the DM 10,000 class. This test report explains whether Alfa Romeo's principle of "technology without compromise" was true.

This article contains the following chapters

Perfect driving position
Tire problems
Exemplary ventilation
Model differences
Cultivated boxer
Safety and workshop issues
Plus points
Minus points
Overall verdict
Engine/running behavior
Engine/performance behavior
Power transmission
Chassis
Suspension
Technical data & measured values

Estimated reading time: 14min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The Alfasud has been rolling off the production line in Naples for four years. The paintwork preparers are still not paying proper attention. Early rust is too often evident. But apart from that, the Alfasud is a model of well-considered modernity. At prices that Fiat protests against: Alfa Romeo belongs to the state-owned company IRI and can calculate politically. However, the Alfasud is no longer as cheap as it was at the beginning. Apparent surcharges are obligatory. The Alfasud L is intended to attract customers from the simple standard model into the DM 10,000 class. Never before had Alfa Romeo built a car in this class, and never before had there been a car factory in the Italian south. Principle: technology without compromise. Alfa Romeo has always been a delicatessen. Concept: front-wheel drive, long wheelbase, wide track, optimum use of space in compact external dimensions (length just under 3.9 meters). Occupants between the axles, no disadvantageous overhanging rear weight even with a full luggage compartment. The doors are as wide as possible (but not too wide for tight side-by-side parking), and rear access could not be more convenient. Luggage compartment without loading and utilization problems. Side windows not too steeply inclined, no unnecessary sunlight and no rain pouring in when opening doors and windows.

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