Motor Car History
 Veteran - Vintage - Classic - Modern
Motor car history
Understanding the Automobile
Toggle Navigation
  • Home
  • Makes and models
  • Motor car History
  • Innovations
    • Engines
    • Engine Components
    • Induction & Exhaust
    • Suspension Types
    • Tyres wheels Brakes
    • Vehicle Body types
    • Electrical & electronic
    • Gearbox & Drivetrain
  • Trivia
    • Museums
    • Advertising
    • Race events
    • Film & TV
    • Coach Builders
  • Help Guide
    • driving
    • ECU
  • links
    • Contact Us
    • About us
    • Help with a donation
  • Log in
  • Register
  • You are here:  
  • Motor Car
  • Make and Model
  • A
  • Alfa Romeo
  • Alfa Romeo Arna (1983-1987)

Alfa Romeo Arna

Alfa Romeo Arna
Overview
Manufacturer Alfa Romeo Nissan Autoveicoli S.p.A.
Production 1983–1987
Produced 53,047 
Assembly Pratola Serra, Italy
Class Motor car
Body style 3-5 door hatchback
Layout Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Engine 1.2 L Boxer H4
1.3 L Boxer H4
1.5 L Boxer H4
Transmission 5 speed manual
Wheelbase 2,416 mm (95.1 in)
Length 4,000 mm (157.5 in)
Width 1,621 mm (63.8 in)
Height 1,340 mm (52.8 in)
Curb weight 850 kg (1,874 lb)

 

The Alfa Romeo Arna (Type 920) is a small family car produced by the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo Nissan Autoveicoli S.p.A. between 1983 and 1987. 

History

The company was founded on 9 October 1980 as a 50:50 joint venture between the Italian Alfa Romeo S.p.A. and the Japanese Nissan Motor Company.On October 9, 1980, Takashi Ishihara of Nissan and Alfa Romeo President Ettore Massacesi signed a memorandum in Tokyo for increased cooperation between their two firms, and revealed their intent to create a joint production venture called AR.N.A. S.p.A. (Alfa Romeo Nissan Autoveicoli). Italian Prime Minister Francesco Cossiga endorsed the deal, despite political and auto-industry opposition, because he hoped to bolster the fortunes of the state-owned manufacturer, which had a cult following but was losing money.

The immediate priority of Alfa management, including Massacesi and managing director Corrado Innocenti was to field a competitor in the increasingly lucrative family hatchback market sector where the compact Volkswagen Golf and Lancia Delta were proving successful, and they hoped an alliance with Nissan would bring a competitive model to market quicker and cheaper. During that period, European countries were engaging in protectionism to guard their domestic car industries, with France even banning the import of Japanese-made vehicles. Working with Alfa Romeo, who controlled a respectable amount of European auto sales at the time was seen as a good hedge for Nissan and a chance to establish a foothold in the European market.

For the joint venture, a new plant was constructed in Pratola Serra, near Naples. The body panels of the car were constructed in Japan by Nissan, then shipped to Italy for final assembly. carrying capacity: 937 1b, 425 kg,fuel tank: 11 imp gal, 13.2 US gal, 50 1. separate front seats, headrests
heated rear window andfolding rear seats on TI.

OPTIONAL :light alloy wheels with 175/70 SR x 13 tyres,metallic paint,sunroof.

The product of the relationship was launched at the 1983 Frankfurt Motor Show; the car's name was an acronym meaning Alfa Romeo Nissan Autoveicoli. The Arna was essentially a twin of the N12 series Nissan Pulsar / Nissan Cherry (also known as the Nissan Cherry Europe in selected European markets and the Nissan Pulsar Milano in Japan), but featured Alfa Romeo engines carried over from the Alfasud, as well as an Alfa transmission and front suspension. It did however use an independent rear suspension from Nissan. Italian-built cars badged as Nissan Cherry Europe can be readily identified by their rear lighting clusters, which match those of the Arna rather than the Japanese-built Cherry.

While British Leyland and Honda had a limited partnership in the United Kingdom at that time, the Nissan-Alfa Romeo alliance was the first of its kind between a European and Japanese automaker with joint investment into manufacturing and development. It was feared by the European Economic Community and ironically, Alfa's future parent Fiat, that the success of this partnership would be a Trojan horse for Japanese automakers to unfairly compete in Europe and decimate the European automotive manufacturing industry.

However, such fears were quickly allayed upon the Arna's release when it became obvious that the Arna exhibited the worst qualities of each of its parents. The Arna featured tempestuous mechanicals and indifferent build quality courtesy of Alfa Romeo,married to a Nissan body of questionable build and frumpy styling, with insipid handling common to Japanese cars of the time.This mismatch of technical strengths served to kill the sales of the Arna very rapidly. The Arna is listed as number 26 in the Richard Porter book, "Crap Cars".

By 1986, Alfa Romeo's parent company, the Italian-government owned Istituto per la Ricostruzione Industriale was suffering from heavy losses, and IRI president Romano Prodi put Alfa Romeo up for sale, with Fiat ultimately emerging as the new owner of Alfa. Fiat's first decision was to cease Arna production due to its poor reputation, poor sales and to conclude the unsuccessful Alfa Romeo-Nissan alliance. Production ceased in 1987 with Fiat intending to strengthen the competitiveness of the Alfa Romeo 33 as Alfa's entry in that segment.

Models

The Arna was initially sold as a 3-door L and a 5-door SL and was fitted with the Alfasud 1.2 boxer engine (63 PS). In 1984, a 3-door TI version, with an 86 PS (63 kW; 85 hp) 1.3 litre boxer-four engine, was introduced, which was capable of reaching 170 km/h (110 mph) top speed. In November 1984 (model year 1985) came a more powerful 1.2 engine in the same trim configurations with 68 PS (50 kW; 67 hp), while there were no external differences there were light alterations to the interior.

PERFORMANCE Arna Ti 1.2l

max power (DIN): 68 hp (50 kW) at 6,000 rpm
max torque (DIN): 67 1b ft, 9.2 kg m (90 Nm) at 3,200 rpm
max engine rpm: 6,000; 57.3 hp/l (42.2 kW/l)
max speeds: (I) 27 mph, 43 km/h; (II) 48 mph, 77 km/h; (III) 71 mph, 115 km/h; (IV) and (V) over 96 mph, 155 km/h
power-weight ratio: 27.6 lb/hp (37.5 lb/kW), 12.5 kg/hp (17 kg/kW)
acceleration: standing 1/4 mile 19.1 sec; speed in top at 1,000 rpm: 20 mph, 32.2 km/h
consumption: 35.8 m/imp gal, 29.8 m/US gal, 7.9 Ix 100 km at 75 mph, 120 km/h.

PERFORMANCE Arna Ti 1.4l
max speeds: (l) 29 mph, 46 km/h; (Il) 52 mph, 84 km/h; (Ill) 77 mph, 124 km/h; (IV) and (V) 106 mph, 170 km/h
power-weight ratio: 21.8 lb/hp (29.7 lb/kW), 9.9 kg hp (13.5 kg/kW)
acceleration: standing quater4 mile 17.5 sec.
max power (DIN): 86 hp (63 kW) at 5,800 rpm
max torque (DIN): 88 1b ft, 12.1 kg m (119 Nm) at 4,000 rpm; 63.7 .(46.7 kW/l)

Later, there were also some TI trim cars built with 1.5 litre engines, sold also as the Nissan Cherry Europe GTI. The more powerful 1.5 TI/Cherry GTI had a top speed of 175 km/h (109 mph). The TI version was discontinued halfway through 1986.

Alfa Romeo
Return
Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV6 (1980-1987) 46 / 115 Alfa Romeo BAT concept cars (1953-1955)
More information on
Alfa Romeo Arna car history

Related

motor car on you tube

Categories
Alfa Romeo
Italian Automotive 1980s | Vehicles launched in 1983 | Alfa Romeo Flat 4 engine

Technical

  • ALFA ROMEO Arna  Technical details and specifications (1983-1987)

    Engines

    Engine Type Displacement Power
    1.2 flat-4 1,186 cc (72.4 cu in) 63 PS (46 kW; 62 hp) or 68 PS (50 kW; 67 hp) at 6,000 rpm
    1.4 flat-4 1,350 cc (82 cu in) 71 PS (52 kW; 70 hp) or 86 PS (63 kW; 85 hp) at 5,800 rpm
    1.5 flat-4 1,490 cc (91 cu in) 95 PS (70 kW; 94 hp)

    ENGINE Ti 1.2l

    front, 4 stroke
    4 cylinders, horizontally opposed
    72.4 cu in, 1,186 cc (3.15 x 2.32 in, 80 x 59 mm)
    compression ratio: 8.8:1
    Cast iron block, light alloy head
    3 crankshaft bearings
    valves: overhead, in line, thimble tappets, new Alfa Romeo patent valve adjustment
    camshafts: 2, 1 per bank, overhead, cogged belt
    lubrication: gear pump, full flow filter (cartridge), 8.1 imp pt, 9.7 US pt
    1 Weber 32 DIR 81/250 downdraught twin barrel carburettor;
    air cleaner: dry, thimble type thermostatic intake
    fuel feed: mechanical pump
    water-cooled. expansion tank, 12.8 imp pt, 15.4 US pt
    electric thermostatic fan.

    Arna Ti 1.4l

    ENGINE 83.4 cu in, 1,350 cc (3.15 x 2.65 in, 80 x 67.2 mm)
    compression ratio: 9.7:1
    2 Dell'Orto ORLA 360 downdraught twin barrel carburettors.

    TRANSMISSION
    driving wheels: front
    clutch: single dry plate (diaphragm), hydraulically controlled
    gearbox: mechanical gears: 5, fully synchronized
    gearbox ratios: 1 3.750, II 2.050, III 1.387, IV 1.027, V 0.825, rev 3.091
    lever: central; final drive: hypoid bevel
    axle ratio: 3.889
    width of rims: 5"; tyres: 165/70 SR x 13.

     

    CHASSIS
    integral; front suspension: independent, by McPherson, coil springs/telescopic damper struts, lower trailing links,
    anti-roll bar
    rear: independent, lower wishbones, coil springs, telescopic dampers.

    STEERING
    rack-and-pinion, adjustable height of steering wheel; turns lock to lock: 3.70.

    BRAKES
    front disc (diameter 9.41 in, 23.9 cm), rear drum, front compensator, dual circuit, servo

    ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
    12 V: 45 Ah battery
    600 W alternator
    contactless transistorized ignition

    DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
    wheel base: 95.12 in, 242 cm
    tracks: 54.80 in. 139 cm front. 55.20 in, 140 cm rear
    length: 157.48 in, 400 cm
    width: 63.78 in. 162 cm
    height: 52.76 in, 134 cm
    weight: 1,874 1b, 850 kg
    turning circle: 35.6 ft, 10.8 m

     

    © Motor car History

Service

  • ALFA ROMEO Arna  Service instructions (1983-1987)


    fuel: 97 oct petrol
    oil: engine 8.1 imp pt, 9.7 US pt, 4.6 1, SAE 20W-50, change every 6,200 miles, 10,000 km
    gearbox and final drive 4.6 imp pt, 5.5 US pt, 2.6 1, SAE 90, change every 24,900 miles, 40,000 km
    greasing: none
    spark plugs: Lodge 25 HL
    tappet clearances: inlet 0.014-0.016 in, 0.35-0.40 mm, exhaust 0.018-0.020 in, 0.45-0.50 mm
    valve timing: 44° 80° 63° 25°;
    tyre pressure: front 26 psi, 1.8 atm, rear 23 psi, 1.6 atm.

    © Motor car History

Can’t see this article ? To view more  >>>  Register here.

Alfa Romeo models

  • Alfa Romeo Flat 4
  • Alfa Romeo Giulia
  • Alfa Romeo GTV
  • Alfa Romeo Spider
  • Alfa Romeo Tipo

  • You are here:  
  • Motor Car
  • Make and Model
  • A
  • Alfa Romeo

Back to Top

© 2022 Motor Car History