Alfa Romeo launched the 146 in 1995 to compete in Europe’s
mid-size hatchback market. Based on the Fiat Group's Tipo Due platform,
the car was widely praised for its handling, particularly the sharp, responsive
steering. Early cars used the boxer engines from the 33 in 1.3/1.4 (same
1,351cc engine badged depending on market), 1.6 8 valve and 1.7 16 valve forms.
In 1996, the flagship Ti model was launched with the
2.0-litre Twin Spark engine from the Alfa Romeo
155. 1.6 and 1.8 Twin Spark engines soon followed replacing the
boxers.
The new Alfa Romeo 146 was designed as a 5-door hatchback
replacement for the old 33 model. The 146 was available to the large public at
the same time with the 145 model, the only difference between the two cars
being the door configurations (door on the 145). This mid-size hatchback was
based, like most of the upcoming models, on the Fiat Tipo platform and featured
a more conservative exterior lines as compared to its 3-door 'brother'. In
1996, Alfa introduced a new TI variant for the 146, featuring a brand new
2.0-litre Twin Spark engine. One year later, all engines on the Alfa 146 model
were replaced by Twin Spark units.