Alfa 146 Junior is a taste you get fond of

March 1999
I suppose most of us would wonder at why Alfa Romeo would tag a ‘junior’ at the end of its current 146 and offer it with special features. After all, ‘junior’ is generally a diminutive expression. But in fact, in Alfa terms, it brings back a name famous from the marque’s illustrious past, one which before WW II gained a reputation still talked about by true Alficionados. So don’t be put off by the nomenclature ... you’re not getting anything lesser in the Junior.

That said, it is still an acquired taste in some respects, the Alfa 146. Particularly when you have come to it from something completely different, as us motorhacks are inclined to have to do. While the latest Alfas (156 and 166) are much more ‘normal’ feeling (don’t take offence at this, guys!), the 146 definitely has its quirky features. And lets get the main one out of the way now ... the seating position.

Regulars will know my vital statistics ... well, the one that counts, my height ... I’m 6’2”. And I have difficulty getting all my extremity bits in a totality of comfort in a 146, though not, it must be said, as bad as it used to be in predecessor models at this level (and certainly not as in the current GTV, which I simply can’t fit into at all if I want to drive it in a reasonably comfortable fashion).

All that said, it won’t be a problem for the average Joe or Josephine, I suppose, so the rest of this discourse will be in relation to their needs from an Alfa.

They want something different, right? Yup, they’ve certainly got it here. The 146 Junior has all the best Alfa styling cues, from the grille that can’t be mistaken for anything else to the strong side sculpting on the wedge profile and the kicked-up tail. The Junior also has as standard the quite neatly-executed trunk-top spoiler and its own special design of alloy wheels.

Inside you’ve got the sexy feel of leather on the gearshift and steering wheel, a dashboard that has an exceptionally neat range of dials and lights, and seats that hug both front and back and which are finished in a good, no-nonsense but cheerful material. I had the car for rather longer than usual, and once my body had got used to the unusual stretching that had to be done (see above) I found the whole experience quite comfortable.

The underpinnings are right up to most current requirements, with a very rigid body-shell that crumples where it should, a dual cross-over braking system, driver’s airbag and ABS, and a fire-prevention system with inertia switch and one-way fuel valve at the fuel tank. The suspension includes anti-roll bars front and rear and is generally set up for high-performance driving (but not excessively so - the car showed itself to be an easy rider on normal roads and running style).

The steering again took a little getting used to, mainly because it is very precise. Which is, of course, how things should be.

To the most important mechanical bit on an Alfa now, the engine. And the Junior is equipped with the 1.6-litre Twin Spark unit that outputs 120bhp from its 4vpc configuration and 90% of its pulling power is available at just 2500rpm. In one way that makes for quiet driving, because you don’t have to rev the engine high to get you oomph ... but paradoxically, it means that you won’t always hear what is to Alficionados the key to their love of the species - the ‘song’ of the engine in high spirits. You do need to let the engine run high to hear its particular mechanical melody at its best, and I did ... I did.

So, an acquired taste it is. But a taste you get fond of.

Even if when you do get into the next car, you’re wondering how IT feels so funny.

It’s OK ... you soon get back to a natural body shape ...

Price £1,450 on the road. And a three-year warranty. A taste that’s not going to cost you the earth either.

- Brian Byrne.