Alfa Romeos five-door 146 introduced Italian flair and elegant, flowing lines to a family car market, that had previously expected only practicality. As the direct successor to the companys 33 range, the 146 was further evidence of Alfas rebirth as a maker of sensible yet, still characterful cars. The 146 first appeared in May 1995, offering buyers a wide choice of four-cylinder engines. These were initially the traditional boxer style, carried over from the 33.