Alfa Romeo Arna

Alfa Romeo Arna three-door

The Alfa Romeo Arna was a hatchback with three or five doors, which was produced by the fall of 1983 until the end of 1986 Alfa Romeo in cooperation with the Japanese car manufacturer Nissan. The name comes from the initials of Alfa Romeo Nissan Autoveicoli, the name of the joint venture back.

This joint venture was created because at that time in Italy were highly restrictive quotas for the import of Japanese cars. To avoid these quotes, Nissan was looking for an Italian partner. This then had to contribute a certain percentage of the value of the vehicle, so that the product produced was considered Italian.

The vehicle was presented in September 1983 at the International Motor Show ( IAA) in Frankfurt. It should supplement the model range down and partially take over the succession of the getting on in years model Alfasud.

Its basic structure comes from the Nissan Cherry and Pulsar models. From Alfa Romeo came engine, drivetrain and front suspension. The vehicle was offered in engine versions 1200, 1400 and 1500 cc with a power 63-95 hp. The body shell was manufactured at Nissan in Japan and then shipped to the newly formed Alfa Romeo factory after Pratola Serra. There, the vehicles were completed.

In some markets, the Arna was also sold as the Nissan Cherry Europe or Nissan Cherry Europe.

For the brand " Alfa Romeo " marked the Arna in design and technology a low point in the brand's history. He is regarded as a sign of the then economic decline of the company.

In December 1986, the state-run Alfa Romeo was taken over by Fiat. The production of the Arna was set then. Apparently the vehicle was not a commercial success for Alfa Romeo, despite over 80,000 copies manufactured.

Motors

The Arna was available with four different gasoline-powered boxer engines. The power range was 46-70 kW ( 63-95 hp). The more powerful versions were designated Ti