Alfa Romeo 2300

Last updated
Alfa Romeo 2300
Alfa 2300 ti 1979 at night.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer FNM (1974–1986)
Also calledAlfa Romeo 2300 Rio (European import markets)
ProductionMarch 1974 November 1986
Assembly
Body and chassis
Class Executive car (E) [1]
Body style 4-door sedan
Layout Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Related Alfa Romeo 1900
Powertrain
Engine 2,310 cc (2.3 L) I4
Transmission 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,730 mm (107 in)
Length4,690–4,719 mm (184.6–185.8 in)
Width1,692 mm (66.6 in)
Height1,362 mm (53.6 in)
Curb weight 1,360–1,412 kg (2,998–3,113 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor FNM 2150
Successor Alfa Romeo 164

The Alfa Romeo 2300 is a Brazilian executive car that was produced by FNM from 1974 to 1978, and FNM owned by Fiat from 1978 to 1986.

Contents

Origin

The 2300 project was born in Italy as project 102/12. A protoype was ready in 1971 and was sent to Brazil for tests in 1972. It was engineered entirely in Italy, specifically for the Brazilian market, and launched in March 1974 under the slogan "O importado fabricado no Brasil" ("The imported manufactured in Brazil", in Portuguese). At the time the adoption of 4 and 6-cylinder inline and V6 engines were studied, with some test mules tested with those engines, but due to the oil crisis in the 1970s and the arrival of a military government, import difficulties forced the factory to adopt the 4-cylinder engine from the Alfa 1900 with an increased displacement of 2,310 cc and coupled to a five-speed manual transmission.

Overview

The general look of the new car was very similar to that of the Italian built Alfetta sedan, designed by Giuseppe Scarnati and first offered in Europe in 1972, although the Brazilian car was actually 41 centimetres (16 in) longer and 7 centimetres (2.8 in) wider than the Alfetta. Under the skin, the 2300 was based technically on the older Alfa Romeo 1900. The gear box of the 2300 was conventionally located adjacent to the engine and not (as with the Alfetta) across the rear axle. Like its Brazilian predecessor, the FNM 2000, the 2300 featured a four-cylinder twin camshaft engine, displacing 2,310 cc with a claimed output of 140 hp (104 kW). A maximum speed of 170 km/h (106 mph) was claimed. In its 1985 model year leaflet, the 2300 was called as "Alfa Romeo 85". [2] This model was supposedly manufactured until November 1986, although a final 243 Alfa Romeos were built in Brazil in 1987. [3]

As demand for ethanol-powered cars rose, a stockpile of petrol-powered 2300s built up: as a result, Alfa Romeo foisted the Brazilian Alfa Romeo onto European (Dutch, Swiss, and German) importers in 1981 under the designation Alfa Romeo 2300 Rio. [4] Around 600 of the cars were shipped to The Netherlands. The cars generally failed to sell and severe quality issues further deteriorated Alfa Romeo's image in Central and Northern Europe, with the importers eventually being forced to buy back the majority of the cars brought over. [4] In the Netherlands, the bought back cars were sold on to used car dealers after three years in outdoors storage; without warranties the already decaying cars caused severe damage to Alfa Romeo's already crumbling reputation. The only real value of the Rio seems to have been to provide parts for restorers of vintage Alfa Romeo 1900s. [5]

Alfa Romeo 2300 Rio (Europe) Alfa Romeo 2300 Rio Rear View.jpg
Alfa Romeo 2300 Rio (Europe)


Technical data

ModelEngineMax. PowerMax. TorqueFuel systemAcceleration 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) (s)Top speed
2300 (1975)2,310 cc I4 103 kW (140 hp SAE) at 5700 rpm214 N⋅m (158 lb⋅ft) at 3,500 rpm1 double barrel carburetor11,7170 km/h (106 mph)
2300 ti (1978)2,310 cc I4110 kW (149 SAE-PS) at 5700 rpm235 N⋅m (173 lb⋅ft) at 3,500 rpm2 double barrel carburetors10,8195 km/h (121 mph)
2300 ti4 (1985)2,310 cc I4120 kW (165 PS) at 5700 rpm235 N⋅m (173 lb⋅ft) at 3,500 rpm2 double barrel carburetors12,0195 km/h (121 mph)

Notes

  1. "Alfa Romeo (Brazil) 2300 specifications: versions & types". www.automobile-catalog.com.
  2. "Alfa Romeo Rio". 4 October 2012. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  3. Büschi, Hans-Ulrich, ed. (9 March 1989). Automobil Revue 1989 (in German and French). Vol. 84. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag AG. p. 615. ISBN   3-444-00482-6.
  4. 1 2 "fnm - alfa romeo's Brazilian connection 1950-1986". italiaspeed. Retrieved 2011-11-04.
  5. Hendriks, Ben (1991). "De Alfa Romeo 2300 "Rio"". Het Klaverblaadje (in Dutch) (54). The Netherlands: Stichting Club Alfa Romeo Bezitters (SCARB): 25–26.

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