Modifications boost Alfa 33

Press, 15 November 1984, Page 20

Modifications boost Alfa 33

The Green Cloverleaf version of the Alfa Romeo 33 will reach New Zealand next month. Depending upon the individual specifications, prices will be in the $30,000 range. This car is very similar to the Alfa 33 which was launched in New Zealand and reviewed in this column late last year, but it offers substantially better performance.

The four-cylinder 1489 cu cm “boxer” engine develops 78.3 kW (105bhp), compared with the 63.4 kW (85bhp) of the first Alfa 33 introduced a year or so ago. This power boost originates from the twin-choke twin carburettors, modified cylinder heads, inlet manifolds and air ducts, plus the special camshafts and modified exhaust manifolds. The manufacturer’s performance figures include a 0 to lOOkm/h acceleration time of 9.7 s and 31.35 s for a kilometre from a standing start The high-performance

image is enhanced by a newly designed air-intake grille and small front and rear spoilers. Interior appointments are similar to those of the earlier model. Electrically-operated front windows, central door locking and a rear window wiper are standard.

The Italian car-maker has re-entered the medium to large saloon market with the introduction of the Alfa 90. Several versions have been produced for domestic sale. They include 1.8 and 2litre petrol-engined versions; a 2-litre fuel-injected model; a 2.5-litre V 6 Gold

Cloverleaf version and a 24litre turbocharged diesel-en-gined car.

The Alfa 90 will not be available for export markets until early next year and a decision on possible imports will be made once the franchise-holder, New Plymouth-based Moller

Wholesale, Ltd, has assessed model availability. The company’s general manager, Richard Fairey, believes the most likely model to be imported is the 2.5-litre V 6 Gold Cloverleaf, but he says that at this stage the company has no idea of the likely price.