Introducing the 145 - The
legacy of dynamism lives on!
The Fluid
Elegance of Italian Design
Following
the initial concept work, serious evaluation of
the 145's styling began in the wind tunnel. Certain
parameters had already been laid down: the nature
of the car as being a three-door, five seater hatchback
dictated many of its dimensions and characteristics;
engine options, drive train, market positioning
and consumer expectations influenced others. Some
fundamentals, such as the optimal rake of the pillars
and the angle of the windscreen were determined
by the air-resistance studies, but such was the
genius of the 145 design team that any temptation
to let the laws of aerodynamics take control and
produce a bland "jelly-mould" shape was
firmly resisted. The result is a visual triumph,
an Alfa Romeo worthy of its illustrious predecessors.
The
aerodynamically-efficient wedge shape of the 145's
body causes the profile of the car to plunge aggressively
downward at the front, supported by a sloping waistline
which makes it seem to lean forward in the classic
Alfa Romeo sporting tradition. Two converging rib
lines then further emphasise this forward thrust
and at the same time provide a visual link that
connects the front and rear light clusters.
The
front of the car is dominated by the famous Alfa
emblem. To enhance this as a focal point and help
demonstrate the sporty nature of the car, deep contours
run the length of the bonnet in keeping with other
models within the then current range. At the rear,
the 'V' shaped hatchback window echoes the front-end
styling, whilst the sloping unibloc rear-light clusters
draw the eye once more to the Alfa Romeo badge on
the tailgate.
Producing
an aerodynamically-efficient concept prototype for
wind tunnel testing is a relatively easy proposition.
However, achieving a Cd of 0.32 is far more difficult
in reality when the object in question is a production
line model with necessities like opening doors,
bonnets and tailgates. With this in mind, the 145
was machined and built to the most exacting tolerances
in order to achieve optimum resistance to air intrusion.
This is further aided by the widespread use of specialist
fixings and seals to ensure the highest standards
of soundproofing and the elimination of vibration
in the passenger compartment.
The
bodywork is constructed of galvanized, high grade
steel which goes through a total-immersion cataphoretic
dip and is then given two coats of enamel and one
of varnish. The underbody is coated with a layer
of PVC to provide still further protection against
chips and scrapes, whilst robots treat exposed mechanical
components with bituminous wax.
