Alfa Romeo Sprint: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Alfa Romeo Sprint catalogue contains a single generation produced from 1983 to 1989, so the buying decision is not between generations but between six powertrain specifications. Every version is a Mini 3-doors with Gasoline power, a Manual gearbox with 5 gears, FWD, 150 mm of ground clearance and no boost.
The Alfa Romeo Sprint catalogue contains a single generation produced from 1983 to 1989, so the buying decision is not between generations but between six powertrain specifications. Every version is a Mini 3-doors with Gasoline power, a Manual gearbox with 5 gears, FWD, 150 mm of ground clearance and no boost. The main choices are the 1.4 MT with 86 hp, three distinct 1.5 MT versions with 95 hp, 102 hp or 105 hp, and two 1.7 MT versions with 105 hp or 118 hp. For clarity, versions sharing the same database name are identified by power throughout this comparison.
Alfa Romeo Sprint generation and versions
The 1 generation covers 1983–1989 and includes six versions in the Mini 3-doors body. There is no second generation in the supplied catalogue and no separate restyling entry, so every comparison below concerns this same production generation.
Because several specifications share an exact version name, power is essential when distinguishing them. The three 1.5 MT choices produce 95 hp, 102 hp and 105 hp. The two 1.7 MT choices produce 105 hp and 118 hp. An advertised name alone is therefore insufficient to identify the engine specification represented in this catalogue.
Alfa Romeo Sprint engine specs
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 MT (86 hp) | 86 hp (63 kW) at 5800 rpm | 121 Nm at 4000 rpm | 1400 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Opposite | No | Manual, 5 gears | FWD |
| 1.5 MT (95 hp) | 95 hp (70 kW) at 5750 rpm | 133 Nm at 4000 rpm | 1490 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Opposite | No | Manual, 5 gears | FWD |
| 1.5 MT (102 hp) | 102 hp (75 kW) at 6000 rpm | 136 Nm at 4500 rpm | 1490 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Opposite | No | Manual, 5 gears | FWD |
| 1.5 MT (105 hp) | 105 hp (77 kW) at 6000 rpm | 136 Nm at 4000 rpm | 1490 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Opposite | No | Manual, 5 gears | FWD |
| 1.7 MT (118 hp) | 118 hp (87 kW); power rpm not measured | Torque not measured | 1712 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Opposite | No | Manual, 5 gears | FWD |
| 1.7 MT (105 hp) | 105 hp (77 kW) at 5800 rpm | 149 Nm at 4500 rpm | 1712 cc | Gasoline | 4 | Opposite | No | Manual, 5 gears | FWD |
The 1.4 MT produces about 61.4 hp per litre. Among the 1.5 MT versions, outputs are approximately 63.8 hp per litre for the 95 hp specification, 68.5 hp per litre for the 102 hp specification and 70.5 hp per litre for the 105 hp specification. The 1.7 MT versions provide approximately 61.3 hp per litre with 105 hp and 68.9 hp per litre with 118 hp.
Engine details also separate versions that otherwise have identical catalogue names. The 95 hp 1.5 MT uses Distributed injection (multi-point), while the 102 hp and 105 hp 1.5 MT versions use a Carburetor. All three have a 9.5 compression ratio and an 84 × 67.2 bore and stroke.
Both 1.7 MT versions use Distributed injection (multi-point) and an 87 × 72 bore and stroke. The 105 hp version has 2 valves per cylinder and a 9.5 compression ratio; the 118 hp version has 4 valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10. The 118 hp model gains 13 hp over the 105 hp 1.7 MT, an increase of about 12.4%, without changing displacement.
Alfa Romeo Sprint performance and economy
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 MT (86 hp) | not measured | 168 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.5 MT (95 hp) | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.5 MT (102 hp) | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.5 MT (105 hp) | not measured | 180 km/h | 11.4 | 6.3 | 8.2 |
| 1.7 MT (118 hp) | not measured | 202 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.7 MT (105 hp) | not measured | 188 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
No 0–100 km/h result was measured for any version. Top speed provides the clearest recorded performance comparison: the 105 hp 1.5 MT reaches 180 km/h, the 105 hp 1.7 MT reaches 188 km/h, and the 118 hp 1.7 MT reaches 202 km/h. The 118 hp version is therefore 14 km/h faster than the other 1.7 MT and 22 km/h faster than the 105 hp 1.5 MT. The 1.4 MT reaches 168 km/h, while top speed for the 95 hp and 102 hp 1.5 MT versions was not measured.
Only the 105 hp 1.5 MT has measured fuel-consumption figures: 11.4 in the city, 6.3 on the highway and 8.2 combined. Consumption for every other version was not measured. The difference between its city and highway figures is 5.1, but the data does not support an economy ranking across all six versions.
Alfa Romeo Sprint dimensions and weight
Exterior length, width and height were not measured for any listed Sprint version. Kerb weight was also not measured for the 1.4 MT or any of the three 1.5 MT specifications. The two 1.7 MT versions each have a measured kerb weight of 915 kg.
At that equal measured weight, the 105 hp 1.7 MT carries about 8.71 kg per horsepower, while the 118 hp 1.7 MT carries about 7.75 kg per horsepower. The 118 hp version improves the ratio by approximately 0.96 kg per horsepower, making it the stronger choice when output relative to recorded kerb weight is the priority.
Gross weight, fuel-tank capacity and wheel sizes were not measured for any version. Ground clearance is 150 mm across all six versions. Every specification uses Independent, spring front suspension, Dependent, spring rear suspension, and Disc brakes at both the front and rear.
Which Alfa Romeo Sprint version should you buy?
Choose the 1.4 MT if the lowest output and smallest displacement meet your needs. Its 1400 cc engine delivers 86 hp and 121 Nm, while its measured top speed is 168 km/h. It gives up 9 hp and 12 Nm to the 95 hp 1.5 MT, although the latter has no measured top-speed result.
Among the three 1.5 MT choices, the 95 hp version suits a buyer who specifically wants Distributed injection (multi-point). It produces 133 Nm, which is 3 Nm less than either Carburetor version. The 102 hp 1.5 MT reaches its 136 Nm at 4500 rpm, whereas the 105 hp 1.5 MT delivers the same 136 Nm at 4000 rpm. The 105 hp version also adds 3 hp, provides a measured 180 km/h top speed and is the only Sprint specification with recorded city, highway and combined consumption. On the supplied evidence, it is the most completely documented 1.5 MT.
The 105 hp 1.7 MT is the torque-focused choice. Its 149 Nm exceeds the 105 hp 1.5 MT by 13 Nm, while power remains identical at 105 hp. Its recorded top speed is also 8 km/h higher, at 188 km/h instead of 180 km/h. The trade-off visible in the specifications is lower specific output: approximately 61.3 hp per litre versus 70.5 hp per litre for the 105 hp 1.5 MT.
Choose the 118 hp 1.7 MT when maximum recorded performance matters most. It has the highest output at 118 hp, the highest measured top speed at 202 km/h and the best calculable weight-to-power figure among versions with measured kerb weight. Its missing torque and fuel-consumption measurements prevent a complete comparison in those areas, but its power, speed and weight-to-power advantage are explicit.
Overall, the 105 hp 1.5 MT is the most evidence-rich all-round choice, the 105 hp 1.7 MT offers the highest measured torque at 149 Nm, and the 118 hp 1.7 MT is the performance choice. No purchase-price or for-sale data was supplied, so this catalogue cannot determine how much extra money separates them or calculate value for money.