Launched in 1985, the Alfa Romeo 75 was offered in a turbo version the following year. The 75 was appreciated by some Alfa enthusiasts, and still enjoys a certain cult status in the community today, as it was the last Alfa based on the Transaxle architecture, released before the takeover by FIAT. It was also very divisive, because for others it recalled an era of technological "bricolage" and dubious reliability. Nor did the 75 have an incredible sporting record. Ridiculed by the M3 in the 1987 WTCC, it had to make do with an Italian supertouring title in 1988, two Tours of Italy and that's about it for championships. Nevertheless, the 75 did a lot of rallying, notably in France in the hands of Yves Loubet, winning a number of class titles.
Well, almost forty years on, the 75 Turbo is still being raced, and we've unearthed a rather spectacular example in Greece, in a hill-climb race!
Powerful thanks to a Mitsubishi turbocharger !
Vagelis Xantzis is a 75 Turbo enthusiast, as you can see. his facebook page or his youtube account to see for himself. In 2018, he started putting his red bike to the test on the racetrack, then moved on to hill-climbing. Immediately, he stands out for his spectacular style!
The 75 is entered in the Formula Berline category, and more precisely in the FST2 class, which corresponds to the "Formula Saloon Turbo" for cars under 2 liters. It has to be said that the Alfa has undergone a metamorphosis. The 1.8-liter block is turbocharged by a Mitsubishi lancer Evo VIII, not to mention the 5-speed manual gearbox with H-grid and autoblocker... The beast delivers 410 horses, as can be seen on the videos, arrive suddenly. Drifting is never far away!
This remains true to the spirit of the 75 1.8 Turbo, which in its day was equipped with a large Garrett T3 turbocharger, whose latency made the onset of torque at the rear wheels brutal. The Bosch electronic management system of the time (LE2 injection + EZK ignition) didn't provide sufficiently fine-tuned control of the engine's power output to make it enjoyable to drive. Nevertheless, it delighted thrill-seekers.
A look that moves!
The Vagelis 75 has also evolved in terms of looks, with a more colourful livery and, above all, a spectacular aerodynamic kit. The main features are a large front bumper with an aerodynamic skirt and multiple deflectors, and a voluminous rear spoiler designed to add downforce to the beast, whose rear end wants to get the hell out of the way at every turn! The look is a little reminiscent of the 155 V6 DTM, which would have been mated to a Pikes Peak racer.
It works great!
In any case, it works, as Vagelis often finishes on the podium of the Formula Sedan category in the Greek hill-climbing championship, and has won its class on numerous occasions, notably at the Ritsona hill-climb, the country's most famous race held north of Athens. Whatever the case, the 75 is also well placed on the applause meter, as the driver is generous behind the wheel and regales the crowds with raging skids, gliding turns and brutal acceleration. Vagelis also takes the 75 out on the track, for time attacks and track days. The 75 won't stop screaming!
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