Alfa Romeo 147 Reviews

Thanks to its very Italian styling the Alfa Romeo 147 five-door hatch is often mistaken for a two-door sports coupe, but is actually a reasonably practical family car, if the kids are pre-teen, that is. The Alfa 147 is also sold as a three-door hatch – with an even sportier look.While interior room is fine in the front. Rear seat access in the three-door is about average for its class, meaning it's easy for the kids, but anyone older may find it a pain.On the road the little Alfa 147 offers a huge amount of dynamic driving pleasure. If you enjoy driving and are tired of boringly sensible Japanese and Korean cars then an Alfa Romeo 147 should be high on your list of potential buys.The Alfa 147 is powered by a 2.0-litre Twin Spark (two spark plugs per cylinder) four-cylinder engine. It's beautifully responsive and sounds very purposeful. In a really Italian manner, the Twin Spark is more than happy to rev to the heavens, however it's a little weak at lower revs and you really need to have a minimum of 3000 rpm on the tacho to keep life interesting.True Alfa lovers can't resist the temptation to stay in lower gears just to listen and feel their engines so the 147 suits them fine.The five-speed manual's gear changes feel good for a front-drive car. But if you are accustomed to a rear-driver you may find it less appealing, try for yourself before falling in love with the shape of the little European hatch.Alfa's Selespeed sequential-manual gearbox also has five forward ratios. Like all of its type it's rather harsh in its gear changes during upshifts in its lower ratios, but better once you get to third and beyond.We do love the way the Selespeed blips the throttle on the downshifts.A 1.9-litre turbo-diesel arrived in Australian Alfa Romeo 147s in January 2006. It has considerably more power and torque than the four-cylinder petrol, and once it has passed through its irritating turbo lag period is a reasonably responsive unit. However, the low redline is a bit of a letdown to those who love their sporting Italian machines. The only transmission sold with the 147 diesel is a six-speed manual.Those who want a really hot little Alfa Romeo can go for the hyper-hatch 147 GTA with its huge 3.2-litre V6 engine, bold body kit, taut suspension and upgraded brakes. The GTA is offered with a conventional six-speed manual or six-speed Selespeed - forget the Selespeed...These days Alfa Romeo is pretty well represented in Australia as the factory has taken over Australian distribution. For obvious reasons most of the dealerships are concentrated in major metropolitan areas. If you live the country it might be an idea to look for a local Alfa specialist before getting too deeply into the purchase stage.New-generation Alfas are better built than the earlier ones. However, we still see the occasional rough one and hear of some complaints from owners.Spare parts and servicing aren't overly expensive for a thoroughbred Italian car.The home mechanic may care to try some of their own servicing and smaller repairs, but we really do suggest its best left to the professionals. Having a workshop manual for reference is a must.Insurance costs can be high, especially on the GTA. If you're under 25 and/or have a poor driving record get a quote or two on a GTA before committing yourself to the car.WHAT TO LOOK FORBy all means do your own inspection of an Alfa 147 to the best of your ability, but we highly recommend that you call a professional before committing.Look for body repairs, most easily spotted by mismatched paint on adjacent body panels, uneven gaps between panels, paint overspray on non-painted parts and ripples in what should be smooth metal.A lot of brake dust on the wheels can indicate hard driving. Check the insides of the front wheels as it's likely the outsides of the wheels will have been cleaned by a smart seller.Make sure the engine starts easily and idles smoothly from the moment it gets going. Naturally the V6 will be smoother than the four.A manual gearbox that isn't light in its action could be due for repairs. Do some fast changes from third down to second and feel for a reluctance to shift, or for funny noises.During the road test look for steering that wanders and feel for brakes that don't pull the car up evenly.CAR BUYING TIPInteresting cars attract interesting people, who often get together to form a club for their favourite machines. Try contacting club member for advice on buying. They may even know the actual car you're considering.

It was clear that the 147 was different from the rest the moment you slipped into the driver's seat.The seat was heavily contoured for support, it had long cushions for extra support under the legs, the gearshift fell easily to hand and there was a sporty feel to the dash and controls. Once you hit the road the responsive engine and the nimble chassis came into play in a most rewarding way. In short the 147 was a fun car to drive. It was also an attractive one with its distinctive Alfa grille, bonnet and headlamps, and nicely sculpted flanks. The high flanks, thick pillars and large centre headrest in the rear did, however, make rear vision a problem.There were three and five-door hatch body styles; the five-door was the more practical with better access to the cabin. The main engine was a 2.0-litre Twin Spark four-cylinder that gave it plenty of zip. It was available with a five-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed clutchless automated manual shift Selespeed 'box. The hotshot GTA was released in 2003 and it was powered by a 3.2- litre V6 and the choice of six-speed manual or six-speed Selespeed gearboxes. The downside was fuel economy.For economy Alfa added a 2.0-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder in 2006.IN THE SHOPOlder Alfas developed such an awful reputation for reliability, rust and resale that current models like the 147 are still viewed with suspicion. Today's models are better built and more reliable, but they must still be checked thoroughly, preferably by an Alfa expert. Engine, transmission and cooling system leaks are common, and brake pads and rotors wear at a high rate. The cam-timing belt on the 2.0-litre must be changed at the recommended 3-year/60,000 km intervals, there's a real risk of internal engine damage should a belt break. The diesel belt must be changed at 5-year/150,000 km intervals. Thoroughly test-drive the Selespeed transmission to assess its operation, walk away if there's any indication that all is not well as repairs can be expensive. The manual is a much better buy from cost and driver enjoyment perspectives. Maintenance is crucial so check for a service historyIN A CRASHEven the base model had dual front airbags and side airbags in 2001; it also had the important safety feature of electronic stability control. But when tested by ANCAP it was only given a disappointing 3-star rating.UNDER THE PUMPThe 2.0-litre Twin Spark manual returns an average of 7.2L/100km, when linked to the Selespeed it consumes about a litre more. The 3.2-litre GTA hot shot is the fuel guzzler of the range with an average claimed consumption of 12.1L/100km, while the diesel is the fuel miser with an average of 5.9L/100km.SPECSPrice new: $38,500 to $41,500Engines: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol, 110 kW/181 Nm; 3.2-litre V6 petrol, 184 kW/300 Nm; 2.0-litre turbo diesel, 110 kW/305 NmTransmissions: 5-speed manual, 5-speed Selespeed, 6-speed manual, 6- speed SelespeedEconomy: 7.2 L/100 km (Twin Spark), 7.8 L/100 km (Selespeed), 12.1 L/ 100 km (GTA), 5.9 L/100 km (JTD)Body: 3-door hatch, 5-door hatchVariants: Twin Spark, Selespeed, GTA, JTDSafety: 3-star ANCAPVERDICT Thoroughly engaging car to drive but best left to the believers.

Italian cars have long been high on style and performance, but they have also always come with lingering doubts about their build quality   and reliability.  The current crop of models, like the Alfa Romeo 147, promise the same tantalising mix of looks and speed, and the claim that the bad old days are now well and truly buried in the past.But are they really any better than those old models that caused their owners so much heartache?MODEL WATCH Alfa Romeo is a long established, well-respected sports car manufacturer with a proud racing history dating back almost 100 years.  Today, it's part of the Fiat empire, along with the other great Italian brands like Ferrari, Maserati, Lancia, and Fiat.The 147 was part of a new thrust of models designed to breathe new energy into the brand.  It was an attractive, flamboyantly styled small hatch with a choice of three and five-door body styles.There could be no mistaking the 147 with the bold 'Quadrifoglio' badge atop a grille that was instantly recognisable as an Alfa signature.While pretty by hatch standards the 147 came with a few compromises.  It had a high waistline, thick pillars, a large centre headrest and a   smallish rear window, all of which restricted the driver's vision and made the cabin somewhat dark and gloomy.Inside, it boasted heavily contoured, supportive front seats. Those in the rear, however, found themselves a little cramped, and luggage   space was limited.  The interior appointments tended to be fiddly more than practical, but looked good.With large alloy wheels filling out the wheel arches located at each corner the 147 had a bold presence that spelt 'fun at the wheel'.There was a choice of two engines, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder 'Twin Spark' engine and a 3.2-litre V6.At its peak the 2.0-litre four was putting out 110 kW and 181 Nm, enough to make it a fun drive without being sizzling.  Buyers of the 2.0-litre could have the standard five-speed manual gearbox, or the semi-auto clutchless sequential shift Selespeed five- speed transmission.The V6 GTA, with 184 kW and 400 Nm, was a real excitement machine.  Transmission choices with this engine were a six-speed manual or a   six-speed Selespeed gearbox.IN THE SHOP Alfas are generally sound, but they can be frustrating with niggling little problems.  Look for oil leaks around the engine and transmission, also inspect for coolant leaks.Brake wear can be an issue, expect to replace pads and rotors more regularly than on other cars.  The cam belt on the 2.0-litre must be replaced every 60,000 km or three years, ignore it and there's a good chance it would break and cause major internal damage to the engine.It's perhaps best to dodge the Selespeed transmission; it can give trouble, and can be expensive to repair, and it's not that pleasant to drive anyway.  Look for signs of being driven hard and walk away if it appears a car has been abused or even used in motorsport events.Regular service is important with the 147, so check for a reliable service record.IN A CRASHThe 147 was quite well equipped with safety gear from the beginning.   Even the 2001 models had electronic stability control and dual front, side and curtain airbags standard.  Despite this impressive array of safety equipment the 147 only rated three stars under the NCAP testing regime.UNDER THE PUMP The 147's fuel consumption can be closely linked to the way it is driven. If driven conservatively it will sip fuel at the relatively economical rate of around 8.0 L/100 km, but driven enthusiastically it will guzzle as much as 11 L/100 km.OWNER'S SAY Tammy McLeod bought her 2004 147 last year as a Christmas present to herself and adores it. The moment she sat in it she knew she had to have it. It had 43,000 km on the clock, the paint wasn't too bad, and she reckons it was a bit of a bargain at $17,000. She loves its fast and immediate response when she plants her right foot. She also loves the handling. Tammy now considers herself an Alfa aficionado.LOOK FORStylish looksFive-door practicalityRestricted visibilitySpirited enginesResponsive chassisAgile handlingPoor resaleTHE BOTTOM LINEGood looking and great driving, but the dark cloud of unreliability still hangs over the brand.

While it falls short in key areas, it is still a great piece of eye candy and one that's a hoot to drive.

The Italian brand is known in Australia for style, spicy engines and in the past rust and the occasional breakdown.

European makers are leading the way in offering diesel-engine alternatives to their petrol models.

But, with the new baby 147 hatch, there's a new element: price. Alfa has slashed the price of the car, compared to the previous model.The 147 three-door Twin Spark manual, the model tested, is actually $2510 cheaper than the previous model, coming in at a more competitive $35,990. Similar savings are found across the rest of the range, which is topped by the five-door Selespeed (Alfa-speak for automatic gearbox) at $40,490.Styling revisions for the new model give it a more aggressive look than before. It sits on 17-inch alloy wheels which give it more road presence. And it has scored revised headlights, bumper, spoiler and fog lights.There is no doubting, with the distinct V-grille, the front of the car is its highlight.The number plate has to sit to the left of the grille but, unlike some other cars where such a positioning looks silly, the plate is not obtrusive. Alfa points to revisions in the rear, to the lights, hatch trim and back bumpers, also adding to its aggressive new look, but that is a matter of opinion.There is no doubting the styling, but the car just seems to end without making any grand design statement. However, opening the rear hatch does reveal one important revision, and that is a now sizeable boot space, up 15 per cent from the previous model.Up front the inner revisions include a new instrument display. The impression of driving a European car is enhanced by the use of the Italian language terms benzina (fuel) and acqua (water) on the guages.The red lighting on the dash further adds to the overall Euro feel.However, there is still work to be done on the substance front for the driver.Once you manouevre the driver's seat into the perfect position to suit, you are fine. Until then, the seating is uncomfortable, particularly with an extension at the front of both the driver and passenger seats that just feels like it is in the way.The driving pedal area is rather cramped. There isn't a lot of room between the pedals and you sometimes touch two at once, particularly if you are wearing boots or wide shoes.One other area of concern is that the centre console cover is simply in the way when you change gears or apply the handbrake. It has to be tilted out of the way to stand between the seats. Safety features are strong in the car, with six airbags, including curtain bags.The ride of the car is fine, thanks to improvements to the suspension.This is a car designed for handling smooth European roads at speed but Australia (and, in fact, Sydney) has roads that are rougher.Alfa says more suspension travel has been dialled into the cars sold in Australia. There is also a variety of computer controlled electronic chassis controls.Power comes from a four-cylinder engine. The two-litre Twin Spark pumps out a tidy 110kW with 181Nm of torque. That's good for 0-100km/h in 9.3 seconds and a top speed of 208km/h. The five-speed manual gearbox is light and smooth to operate.Fuel economy is 12.1-litres/100km around town, which improves to a claimed 7-litres/100km on the highway, from the 60-litre tank.Overall, the red-hot little Italian has the looks and the handling to be competitive in what is a tough market segment.It's where stylish Europeans are battling lower priced Japanese and Korean ingenuity.In this case, style wins.

Maybe it's the larger front badge and angular, more accentuated headlights which tend to dominate the front.In comparison, the large expanse of paintwork seemed to draw attention to the smaller beak-like grille of the old car.It is a perennial problem for car designers when trying to pen a follow-up design to a stunner like the Alfa 147.Either way, it's still a fine looking piece of machinery. As well as the more contemporary front treatment, the new car gets revised rear lights, hatch trim and bumpers and 17-inch alloys that are now standard across the range.Although available in three and five-door models, we unfortunately will not be seeing a new 147 GTA.Alfa says the cost of panel work compared to the number of cars it sells does not warrant the cost. We will, however, continue to take the firebreathing 3.2-litre V6 in its current form (thank goodness).We reckon the chunky 147 hatch is the best looking model in the current Alfa range. The 2.0-litre Twin Spark engine produces a maximum 110kW of power at 6300pm and 181Nm of torque at 3800rpm.It's not the most powerful engine around but it is a willing worker and produces a wonderful exhaust note. The gearing is rather tall and you need to flog it to get the car off the line quickly.Drive is through the front wheels, with a variety of electronic aids to ensure the wheels remain in contact with the bitumen. The engine is mated to a slick, five-speed manual box and driving the car is a rewarding experience for the enthusiast.The dash from 0-100km/h takes 9.3 seconds on the way to a top speed of 208km/h. The big doors in our three-door test car are heavy and open wide for acces to a rather claustrophobic rear seat. Rear leg room is good with comfortable seating for two adults in the back but belts for three.The 147 is well equipped, with stability control, traction control and electronic brake force distribution standard.Safety features include six airbags, ABS brakes and a fire prevention system.Luxury items include power windows and mirrors and locks are included, as is cruise control, trip computer and dual zone climate control airconditioning.Alfa claims fuel consumption of 7.0 litres for every 100km but we found it to be more like 10.0L/100km during testing.The 147 Twin Spark is priced from $35,990.

Three or five-door, the compact Italian has a style all its own and always an encouraging nature.

Back in the early 1980s, public relations and event management was just starting to become the billion-dollar juggernaut it is now.