The Alfa Romeo Milano: History, Variants, Specifications
All things Alfa Romeo Milano on Automobile.
Alfa Romeo Milano Essential History
The Alfa Romeo Milano sedan first hit the streets in 1985, known as the Alfa 75 in global markets to celebrate the famed Italian brand’s 75th anniversary as an automobile producer. The Milano name was chosen for the still-important U.S. market, where the car was launched a year later in 1986. The American version was a sportier, less luxurious competitor to the Mercedes 190 E and BMW 3 Series. Despite somewhat controversial styling by Ermanno Cressoni, then the lead at Alfa’s in-house design center, the Milano was well regarded by the media for its engaging handling, but mostly for its engine. While the majority of European Alfa 75s made do with a range of Alfa twin-cam, four-cylinder engines varying in displacement from 1.6 to 2.0 liters, the U.S.-spec Milano was fitted exclusively with Alfa’s V-6 engine, often nicknamed the “Busso V-6” after its creator, Giuseppe Busso.
Alfa Romeo Milano Chassis & Suspension
Under the Milano’s skin was a fairly sophisticated rear-wheel-drive chassis. The suspension layout was similar to previous Alfetta models, consisting of torsion bars and shock absorbers up front and a de Dion tube with shocks and coil springs in the rear. The five-speed transaxle was hung out back for superior weight distribution, and inboard rear disc brakes reduced un-sprung weight as they did in Alfa’s Formula 1 race cars. The Milano shared its chassis and layout with the GTV/6 coupe, though with a slightly longer wheelbase to account for a larger second row than the 2+2 coupe.
Alfa Romeo Milano Features & Equipment
Three Milano trim levels were available at launch, Silver, Gold and Platinum all identified by the color of the four-leaf clover badge on the trunk lid. Ascending the ranks, each received increasing levels of equipment, with the Platinum getting such niceties as a leather interior, sunroof, ABS brakes, and a limited-slip differential. All of these models had a 2.5-liter, SOHC version of the Busso V-6, producing 154 hp.
Alfa Romeo Milano Verde
By the end of 1987, Alfa Romeo added a range-topping Verde trim level. Identified by a green cloverleaf badge (Quadrifoglio in Italian), the Milano Verde boasted a 183-hp, SOHC 3.0-liter Busso V-6 along with a taller final drive for the five-speed manual gearbox, a limited-slip differential, and a larger front anti-roll bar. Just 900 or so Milano Verdes were produced, all easily identified by their “phone-dial” 15-inch Speedline alloy wheels, a body kit that included a rear spoiler, side skirts, and fender flares, orange gauges, and a full Recaro interior. Europe also received similar V-6 models in both 2.5 and 3.0-liter form. Production for the U.S. market ended in 1989, with the all-new, front-wheel-drive 164 sedan arriving for the 1991 model year.
Alfa Romeo Milano Rides Into the Sunset
The Milano and 75 represented something of the end of an era for Alfa Romeo. It was the last rear-wheel-drive sedan Alfa would produce until the 2015 Giulia and it was also the last Alfa sedan to not share a basic chassis with a Fiat product. Fiat took a controlling stake of Alfa Romeo in 1986 just after the Milano’s launch.
Alfa Romeo Milano Highlights
With a platform developed in part by Alfa’s motorsports learnings, it was natural that the Alfa 75 was raced in various European touring car series, including DTM, where it was mostly outclassed by Mercedes’ 190E 2.3-16 and BMW’s E30-series M3. To homologate the 75 for racing, 500 examples of an Alfa Romeo 75 Evoluzione model were produced with a turbocharged 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine making a bit over 150 hp, or nearly the output of the 2.5-liter V-6. This car also received a body kit that was even more aggressive-looking than the Milano Verde.
The ultimate iteration of the platform came with the special two-door Alfa Romeo SZ (coupe) and RZ (convertible). These cars were based on a shortened version of the Milano/75 chassis with suspension and brake upgrades learned from Alfa’s touring car experience. Powered by a slightly upgraded 3.0-liter V-6 making just over 200 hp, and with even more controversial styling than the Milano, the SZ was nicknamed “Il Mostro,” or, “the monster.” While the SZ name was meant to recall the old Zagato-designed and -built Alfa Giulietta race cars, the SZ was actually designed in-house at Alfa Romeo, but built by Zagato, as indicated by the Zagato badges on its front fenders.
Alfa Romeo Milano Buying Tips
After years of lingering in the shadows, the Alfa Romeo Milano is beginning to gain some recognition on the strength of its chassis and now widely revered Busso engines. While the cars pop up in general classified sections on Craigslist and eBay, most cars for sale will be found at various Alfa Romeo enthusiast websites, including forums and club sites, or on Bring a Trailer, the online collector car auction website. The lower-spec Silver and Gold trim cars are the most prevalent, with Platinum cars being more difficult to find. Verdes, with their 3.0-liter engines and other factory upgrades, are the most valuable and desirable and while only 900 or so were built, they also tended to be better maintained by their owners, making it easier to find a good example. Service records are vital for any Milano purchase, as the timing belt and tensioner needs regular service, as do the rubber donuts that align and damp vibration on the driveshaft. Electrical issues are usually a result of dirty ground connections or corroded contacts. Trim parts are getting harder to find, but engine parts are relatively widely available.
Alfa Romeo Milano Articles on Automobile
2017 Giulia Quadrifoglio vs 1967 Giulia Super vs 1988 Milano Verde
A country-wide Alfa Milano trackfest.
Alfa Romeo Milano Recent Auctions
- 1987 Alfa Romeo Milano Gold
- 1987 Alfa Romeo 75 Evoluzione
- 1987 Alfa Romeo Milano Platinum
- 1988 Alfa Romeo Milano Verde
- 1989 Alfa Romeo Milano Verde
Alfa Romeo Milano Quick Facts
- First year of production: 1986
- Last year of production: 1989 (1992 for European 75)
- Total sold: 386,767 globally
- Original price (base): $12,850
- Characteristic feature: The Milano represents the end of an era for the Alfa Romeo brand with interesting, angular styling, and a driving experience that rivals the better sport sedans of the era.
Alfa Romeo Milano FAQ
While Alfa sold fewer Milanos in the U.S. than it sold 75s in the rest of the world, it’s still pretty easy to find one for sale, with nearly 400,000 built globally. Just 900 Milano Verdes were sold with the 3.0-liter engine, which makes it rarer than most, but still somewhat easy to find.
Most Milanos you find used today will need a little work to make them perform at their best, as maintenance is often deferred. Get a good one and the driving experience rivals the best sport sedans of the day, including the E30 BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16.
Alfa parts aren’t cheap, and mechanics that are adept at working on them typically aren’t either. Learn how to do some of the basic work yourself and you can bring costs down. Otherwise, plan to budget for a small repair fund as you would with any classic car.
| 1988 Alfa Romeo Milano Verde | |
| PRICE: | $20,000 (base in 1988) |
| ENGINE: | 3.0L SOHC 12-valve V-6/183 hp @ 5,800 rpm, 184 lb-ft @ 3,000 rpm |
| TRANSMISSION: | 5-speed manual |
| LAYOUT: | 4-door, 5-passenger, front-engine, RWD sedan |
| EPA MILEAGE: | 18/25 mpg (city/hwy) |
| L x W x H: | 170.5 x 64.2 x 53.1 in |
| WHEELBASE: | 98.8 in |
| WEIGHT: | 2,900 lb |
| 0-60 MPH: | 7.5 sec |
| TOP SPEED | 137 mph |
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Andiamo! 2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio Simplify Lineup, Add New Colors
More to love from our favorite Italian four-door sedan and compact SUV.
MotorTrend StaffWriterDec 17, 2020
If you’re in the market for a new Alfa Romeo Giulia or Stelvio, we’ve got some good news. For 2021, Alfa Romeo revealed a mild restructuring of both trims and standard content across the range, with new colors thrown in for good measure. Let’s take a look.
Where before there were seven disparate trims for both the Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV, there are now only four, with the base-level trim evocatively renamed “Sprint” for both; the Sport and Ti Lusso trims have been axed from the hierarchy. Aside from Sprint, buyers have the choice of Ti, Ti Sport, and 505-hp Quadrifoglioiterations on both the crossover and sedan.
If you slide into a Stelvio Ti or Giulia Ti, you’ll find a standard dual-pane sunroof and 8.8-inch infotainment display. The Ti Sports incorporate a standard limited-slip differential and darkened exhaust tips, and the Stelvio Ti Sport wears a more aggressive rear diffuser and 20-inch wheels, with new 21-inch wheels now optional on the Stelvio Ti and Ti Sport.
Regardless of whether you pick Stelvio or Giulia, the Ti trim is available with a features-oriented but as-of-now undefined Lusso package that presumably brings the Ti up to spec with the now discontinued Ti Lusso that added more refined upholstery and trim. Finally, a similarly unexplained Carbon Package for the Ti Sport likely adds a host of carbon fiber trim and tinsel. Once you pick your trim, you’ve got four new dramatically named colors to decide from, including Ocra GT Junior, Rosso GTA, Rosso Villa d’Este, and Verde Montreal.
As expected, pricing is revised as well, with only minor increases compared to the 2020 model year. The Giulia Sprint starts at $40,745, and the Stelvio equivalent opens at $43,045. All-wheel drive is standard on the Stelvio Ti, Ti Sport, and Quadrifoglio, whereas it’s a $2,000 premium on all Giulias save the rear-wheel-drive-only Giulia Quadrifoglio. If this sounds fine and dandy, hustle on down to your local Alfa dealer, where the automaker says the updated lineup should already be on showroom floors.
2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio Pricing:
- Giulia Sprint: $40,745
- Stelvio Sprint: $43,045
- Giulia Ti: $43,995
- Stelvio Ti: $48,695
- Giulia Ti Sport: $47,195
- Stelvio Ti Sport: $51,895
- Giulia Quadrifoglio: $76,045
- Stelvio Quadrifoglio: $82,345
