European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 24, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday april 24, 1986 the stars and stripes Page 13 Vii Ano counter part now on american Market new Alfa 75 sports Sedan is All go the Alfa Romeo Milano Sedan went on Sale in America this week this car representing a major step in Alfa Romeo s . Marketing strategy. Until the Milano Sedan arrived the legendary italian firm sold Only convertible sports cars and it coupes on the . Market but now the emphasis will be on sports sedans such As the Milano. The sport Sedan Market in America is a Large and highly competitive one with Alfa s toughest european opponents being Audi Bow Saab and Volvo. The Milano called the "75" in Europe now joins the Gtv-6 Coupe and the spider convertible to broaden the Alfa Romeo sales scope in the United states and Canada. Powered by v-6 motor we had the european specification Alfa Romeo 75 Milano counterpart sports Sedan on test earlier this month Courtesy of Alfa Romeo s German division in Frank Furt. Our car powered by the extremely smooth 2.5-liter v-6 fuel injection engine similar to the unit used on the Milano Model in America. In Europe the new Alfa sports Sedan is powered not Only by the 2.5-liter engine but also by a 2-liter, 1.8-liter and 1.6-liter, plus a 1.8-liter Turbo and a 2-liter Turbo diesel. So the engine Range is wide to say the least. Generally speaking the Alfa 75 Sedan is an extremely Good car and its .-Specifi cation counterpart Milano should do quite Well on the american Market. Three ver Sions of the Milano All with 2.5-liter engines Are sold in America at prices ranging from just under $14,000 to around $19,000. At these prices the Milano should prove exceptionally competitive and it represents a lot of value for the Money. We examined a .-spec version at Alfa s German Headquarters and outwardly the car is quite similar to the european Alfa 75, although the Interior is somewhat different and it also has Power seat adjust ments. The fuel tank has been enlarged to 20 Gallons. The european version s tank holds 15. With the current Milano now launched and on Sale in North America Alfa will follow later this year with a 1987 Model that features a 3-liter engine rated at 185 to 190 horsepower. In february of 1987, the Milano will have an optional automatic transmission. And by 1988, the italian automaker will fill out its Sedan lineup with a larger front wheel drive luxury car called the project 64." a new sports car mean while is also in the works for the late 1980s. So it s obvious that Alfa Romeo is embarking on a highly ambitious program for the North american scene. High performance car now let s Check out the new Alfa -75 Sedan. It s strictly a High performance car with its smooth v-6 engine turning out 156 horsepower at 5,600 rpm. We reached a top Speed of 212 Kph 131 Mph and our Zero to-100 Kph 62 Mph figure came in at 8.5 seconds quite fast for a four door family Sedan that seats five adults in Comfort. With performance like this you can cruise when traffic conditions permit at 190 to 200 Kph 118 to 124 Mph and thoroughly enjoy it. The engine s redline is 6,500 rpm and while cruising in fifth gear at 100 Mph the Tach Needle reads 4,500 rpm. At 128 Mph in fifth it reads 5,800 rpm beginning of yellow line at 112 Mph it s 5,200 rpm. At 80 Mph this highly flexible engine is turning 3,800 rpm. Our Speed in gears read first 37 Mph second 62 Mph third 87 Mph fourth 112 and fifth 131 Mph. Along with Strong Over All performance the handling and Road holding is flawless making it a pleasure to drive this car even is photo Alfa on the Futa pass the new Alfa Romeo 75 sports Sedan is shown Here on the Futa pass Road one of the most famous Mountain stretches in the italian Mille Miglia a legendary race that was last run in 1957. Cars from the Alfa Romeo company scored 11 victories in this 1,000-mile race the most for any Marque in the history of the event. In downpours and we encountered Many during our 1,600 Miles or so behind the wheel. The Alfa 75 proved first rate on twisting Mountain roads in Italy and Switzerland but this comes As no Surprise because of Alfaro Meo s sports car production experience and historical role in International racing. The Power assist brakes Are disc All around and they Are highly effective in both wet and dry conditions requiring Only a Light touch to bring the car Down quickly from High speeds. The steering rack and Pinion is also Power assist and the steering column is adjustable for both tilt and telescopic  the steering is direct and there is plenty of feel for the Road. The steering wheel by the Way is a nicely designed three spoke sports Type with leather rim similar to the one used on the Gtv-6 Coupe. The five Speed Gearbox is quite Good but takes some getting used to especially the throw to fifth gear which is exceptionally Short. In first gear the clutch pedal had a bit too much pressure making for flying starts even if not intended. But once familiar with the setup then no problems. The ride is firm but comfortable and the distinctive sound from the engine exhaust always reminds you if you need remind ing that Here is an italian  inside the Driver and front seat Passen Ger have a commanding View of the Road inside the new 75 is photo the three spoke sports steering wheel features a leather wrapped rim. The gauges on the instrument panel Are easy to read through the top of the wheel which is adjustable for both tilt and column length. Ahead and the seats both front and Back Are quite comfortable. The Driver and Pas Senger seats and setbacks Are reinforced at the sides with leather patches to Guaran tee Long Wear. The test car s seats and door panelling were of an attractive Black and White Tweed fabric with Black trim used on the dash Headliner Sun visors Glove Box console Etc. There is also a pull out divider or Arm rest built into the rear setbacks which have built in headrests. Like most High tech cars today the Alfa 75 featured All of the computer equipment and attendant signals door open hand Brake engaged Oil Low Etc plus a com Puter system revealing the amount of Miles remaining on fuel Supply Etc. This is All neat stuff that will eventually become Stan Dard on All cars As computer equipment grows less expensive. Overhead swivel Type map lights Are installed at both front and Back and there Are grab bars All around. The Handbrake lever in the form of an unorthodox a shaped bar is installed around the rear of the console this bar easy to use and rarely forgotten As it sits just behind the Gearbox lever. The test car featured Power windows and Power Central Locking including trunk the trunk a big one  volume at 10 cubic feet. Stereo radio and tape deck plus Auto Matic retractable Aerial Are also featured. Regarding fuel consumption the Alfa Romeo 75 sports Sedan returned 21.4 Miles to the gallon these conditions including High Speed autobahn and Autostrada heavy City traffic Normal roads Mountain roads and a lot of Strong acceleration through the gears just for the fun of it. As noted the .-specification Milano sports Sedan ranges from just under $14,000 to around $19,000. The non-. Spec Alfa Romeo 75 discussed in this report costs about $12,500, without tax. The name Alfa Romeo 75," by the Way comes from the firm s 75 years in the car making business. Alfa Romeo was founded in 1910. The new sports Sedan was introduced on the european markets last autumn during Alfa s 75th anniversary year and it obviously has an important role to play in the future of this famous italian company. Randy Barmen