After the disastrous Alfa 33, Alfa Romeo took an adventurous route with its successor – the dramatic styled 145 – which became an instant hit with the Alfisti. And topping the 145 range was Alfa’s hot hatch contender – the Alfa Romeo 145 Quadrifoglio.
The 145 was characterized by a large wraparound glass effect at the rear, disguising the C-pillars, giving it a very distinctive appearance. There was also a quirky step-down to the tapering waistline by the side mirrors, large side skirts with cloverleaf badges, defined scallops along the bodywork, a racy spoiler on the tailgate, and a V-shaped rear lower edge to the tailgate glass.
While Alfa’s “five leaf clover” alloys added to its appeal. The 145 was compact too – smaller than an Audi A3 and a Honda Civic EK – but spacious enough for four adults, with ample head and leg room, and their luggage too.
Powering the Quadrifoglio was a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre DOHC 16V motor – with Alfa’s TwinSpark technology. It was a pretty high-tech for its time, gaining hydraulic tappets, electro-hydraulic variable valve timing, and twin counter-rotating balancer shafts. The original 145 Quadrifoglio’s 2.0 produced 110kw and 187nm, but the ‘facelifted’ version came in 1999 with slightly more power – 114kw, with torque remaining the same at 187nm, although it did arrive 500rpm lower at 3,500rpm.
It also had a slightly higher top gear ratio – 0,946 in place of 0,971:1, while its 5-speed manual gearbox was retained. The 1274kg 145 Quadrifoglio dashed from 0-100kph in an impressive 9.16 seconds, and completed the 1km sprint in 30.21 seconds at 176.8 seconds, before topping out at a true 207kph. The motor pulled strong from low down, and offered burbles – and plenty of grins - as it was pushed towards its 6,900rpm redline.
It would be best to describe the 145’s handling as sharp and nimble. With just 2.2 turns to lock, its wieldiness was definitely a strong point. Its ride though, was firm, but not harsh. However, the moment you did decided to turn up the wick through some twisties, understeer and tyre-squeal was the order of the day – but it was all good, controllable fun.
In 2000, shortly before it made way for the 147, the 145 Quadrifoglio was priced at a competitive R140 400 – a fair price for a car that was compact, practical and distinctive. Like all Alfa Romeos, there was always going to be a long list of ‘flaws’, but the 145 had a special character – that just seemed to outweigh those flaws – typically Alfa Romeo isn’t it?
Also worth a look: the Alfa Romeo Mx 5 and the Alfa Romeo Milano: A Glimpse into the Brand's Electrified Fu.
FAQ
Q: What does the Alfa Romeo 145 Quadrifoglio cost in South Africa?
A decent Alfa Romeo 145 Quadrifoglio will set you back between R85,000 and R150,000 depending on condition, mileage, and service history, with pristine examples occasionally reaching R180,000.
Q: Is the Alfa Romeo 145 Quadrifoglio worth buying?
If you want proper Italian character and don't mind hunting for parts or finding a specialist mechanic, the 145 Quadrifoglio offers genuine hot hatch thrills for classic car money, but it's definitely not for everyone.
Q: How reliable is the Alfa Romeo 145 Quadrifoglio?
The 145 Quadrifoglio's 2.0-litre TwinSpark engine is generally solid if maintained properly, but electrical gremlins, rust issues, and worn suspension components are common problems that can get expensive quickly.
Q: What's the fuel consumption of the Alfa Romeo 145 Quadrifoglio?
Expect around 9-11 litres per 100km in mixed driving conditions, though this can climb significantly if you're enjoying that 6,900rpm redline regularly, which let's be honest, you probably will be.
Q: Should I buy an Alfa Romeo 145 Quadrifoglio as a daily driver?
Only if you have mechanical sympathy, a good relationship with an Alfa specialist, and a backup car for when things go sideways, because while it's charming, it's not exactly what you'd call dependable transport.
Should You Buy It?
The best Italian hot hatch character under R150,000 in South Africa is definitely the Alfa Romeo 145 Quadrifoglio. With its distinctive styling, proper naturally aspirated engine note, and genuine driving engagement, it offers something completely different from the usual Golf GTI crowd. However, this is strictly for enthusiasts who understand that owning an Alfa means embracing both the highs and the inevitable lows. If you want reliable daily transport, look elsewhere, but if you want weekend thrills and don't mind the occasional drama, the 145 Quadrifoglio delivers authentic Italian passion at bargain prices.
