Alfa Romeo 4x4s, Pre-Stelvio Stallions — Auto Italia (UK)

ALFA ROMEO 33 PERMANENT4

In 1991, after eight years of production of the 33 4X4, Alfa Romeo launched the Permanent 4. Unlike the previous 33 4x4, whose four-wheel drive system was manually switchable, the Permanent 4 - as its name suggested - used a permanently engaged 4x4 system. A viscous coupling in the driveline allows up to 50 percent of torque to go to the rear axle. Actually ‘permanent’ isn’t strictly true; when the system detects deceleration exceeding 0.2g, it disengages the rear drive to avoid grinding the gears.

Nathan Batchelor’s 1991 33 S 16V Permanent 4 is one of only 20 left in the UK. “it’s been reliable so far,” he says, “and it’s my bit of fun for blasts on B-roads. It’s all standard apart from the black painted highlights on the wheels.” The original circular air vents still look and work brilliantly and the Recaro front seats are a definite step up from the regular 33's.

How does it drive? If you’ve ever piloted a 1.7-litre 33, you’ll know that it has one stand-out vice: torque steer. If the Permanent 4's 4x4 System does one thing, it’s to mitigate this disquieting tendency to lurch across the road when you accelerate. On our dry test track, grip is never an issue for the little 33, which hangs on tenaciously in corners despite quite a bit of body roll; the direct steering notably weights up as you pull more ‘g’s. Foibles include an uncomfortably offset driving position and weird counter-rotating ignition key.

The 16-valve 1712cc flat-four engine sounds brilliantly gruff. With 133hp it’s peppy, if not really rapid. The 4x4 gubbins does add weight but even so, there’s barely more than a ton to haul around. Conclusion: flawed 4X4 fun.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

ALFA ROMEO 33 PERMANENT 4

ENGlNE: 1712oc 4-cyl opposed DOHC
POWER: 133hp @ 6500rpm
TORQUE: 154Nm (114lb ft) @ 4600rpm
TRANSMISSION: Five-speed manual, four-wheel drive
TYRES: 185/60 R14
DIMENSIONS: 4075mm (L) 1614mm (W) 1375mm (H)
KERB WElGHT: 1070kg
0-60MPH: 8.85ec
TOP SPEED: 125mph
FUEL (COMBlNED): 36.2mpg