Alfa Romeo 147
Encyclopedia
The Alfa Romeo 147 is a small family car produced by Italian automaker Alfa Romeo
from 2000 to 2010. The 147 was voted European Car of the Year
for 2001, beating the Ford Mondeo
and the Toyota Prius
.
The 147 was launched at the 2000 Turin Motor Show as a replacement for the 145 / 146
hatchbacks, and is based on the running gear of the larger 156
saloon. It was available with 1.6, 2.0, and 3.2-litre petrol engines and a 1.9-litre diesel engine.
The model was in production for ten years, making it one of the oldest small family cars on sale in Europe
at the time of its replacement by the Alfa Romeo Giulietta in late May 2010.
and Wolfgang Egger
. The 147 received considerable praise for its styling on launch, later it was awarded with some styling awards. The entire 147 range was revamped in 2004, with the exterior styling changed considerably to be more reminiscent of the new 159
and Brera
models, and Alfa Romeo Visconti
concept car
, most notably for its more aggressive look. The 147 achieved a drag coefficient
(Cd) of 0.32.
. Alfa Romeo presented a new limited edition 147 called Ducati Corse at the 2007 Bologna Motor Show
. The car is equipped with 170 PS JTD diesel engine and Q2, a front Torsen limited slip differential.
The 147 has been replaced by the new Giulietta in 2010.
147 GTA model was launched in 2002. The GTA used a 3.2 V6 engine
, produced 250 PS and could achieve a top speed of 246 km/h (152.9 mph). It has a widened body (15 mm at each side) to accommodate the 225/45R17 tyres. Earlier models have 6-speed manual transmissions; later models use Selespeed.
London-based after-market tuner Autodelta
has produced a "bored out" version of the GTA sporting a 3.7-litre V6, producing 328 bhp, and a split-axle differential gear for the front wheels. Autodelta has also made a Rotrex supercharged version producing 400 bhp.
, and featured on television show Top Gear
with a power-lap around the track by The Stig
. In his review of Autodelta 147 GTA car for The Sunday Times
, Clarkson described the acceleration as "…Ferrari throttle? Forget it. When you stamp on the accelerator it’s like you’ve hit the Millennium Falcon
’s hyperdrive. Suddenly all the stars are fluorescent tubes. …" and the handling as "....A corner was coming. And then it was a distant speck in my rear-view mirror. I vaguely remember turning the wheel and I have a dim recollection of being astounded by the grip . . . and then the moment was gone. No, really, the damn thing is a barnacle....".
gives access to satellite navigation
and hands-free GSM phone as well as allowing you to adjust the radio and CD player settings. If subscribed to the CONNECT system by simply pressing the green button you will be connected directly to a member of the service team for assistance.
.jpg)
In Europe was arranged a one-car racing series, European Alfa 147 Challenge for Alfa 147 Cup race cars starting from 2003. In 2005 this series was driven alongside with World Touring Car Championship
, winner of 2005 season was Irish driver Eoin Murray
. The car used on the series was Alfa 147 GTA Cup producing 220 bhp from its straight-4
1970 cc Twin Spark engine.
Alfa Romeo 147 2.0 TS (200 bhp) is used by Czech rally driver Martin Rada, finishing second in N3 group (21st in total) on Rally Monte Carlo in 2009
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A. is an Italian manufacturer of cars. Founded as A.L.F.A. on June 24, 1910, in Milan, the company has been involved in car racing since 1911, and has a reputation for building expensive sports cars...
from 2000 to 2010. The 147 was voted European Car of the Year
European Car of the Year
The European Car of the Year award was established in 1964 by a collective of automobile magazines from different countries in Europe. The current organisers of the award are Auto , Autocar , Autopista , Autovisie , L'Automobile Magazine , Stern and Vi Bilägare .The voting jury consists of motoring...
for 2001, beating the Ford Mondeo
Ford Mondeo
The Mondeo was launched on 8 January 1993, and sales began on 22 March 1993. Available as a four-door saloon, a five-door hatchback, and a five-door estate, all models for the European market were produced at Ford's plant in the Belgian city of Genk...
and the Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is a full hybrid electric mid-size hatchback, formerly a compact sedan developed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation...
.
The 147 was launched at the 2000 Turin Motor Show as a replacement for the 145 / 146
Alfa Romeo 145
The Alfa Romeo 145 and 146 are small family cars produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo between 1994 and 2001. They were launched at the 1994 Turin Motor Show...
hatchbacks, and is based on the running gear of the larger 156
Alfa Romeo 156
The Alfa Romeo 156 is a compact executive car introduced by Italian automaker Alfa Romeo at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show as the replacement for the Alfa Romeo 155...
saloon. It was available with 1.6, 2.0, and 3.2-litre petrol engines and a 1.9-litre diesel engine.
The model was in production for ten years, making it one of the oldest small family cars on sale in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
at the time of its replacement by the Alfa Romeo Giulietta in late May 2010.
Styling
The 147 was designed by Walter de'SilvaWalter de'Silva
Walter Maria de'Silva is an Italian car designer who is currently Head of Volkswagen Group Design, and is currently responsible for oversight on the design of all Volkswagen Group passenger car brands including Audi, Volkswagen, SEAT, Škoda as well as Bentley, Lamborghini and Bugatti...
and Wolfgang Egger
Wolfgang Egger
Wolfgang Josef Egger is a car designer from Germany, and currently an Audi Group head designer....
. The 147 received considerable praise for its styling on launch, later it was awarded with some styling awards. The entire 147 range was revamped in 2004, with the exterior styling changed considerably to be more reminiscent of the new 159
Alfa Romeo 159
The Alfa Romeo 159 is a compact executive car produced by the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo between 2005 and 2011. The 159 was introduced in production form at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show as a replacement for the successful Alfa Romeo 156. The 159 uses the GM/Fiat Premium platform, shared with...
and Brera
Alfa Romeo Brera
The Alfa Romeo Brera is a sports car produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo between 2005 and 2010. The Spider roadster was produced between 2006 to 2010. Both cars were manufactured by Pininfarina. Only 12,488 units of Spider and 21,786 units of Brera were built. Production of both models...
models, and Alfa Romeo Visconti
Alfa Romeo Visconti
The Alfa Romeo Visconti is a concept car made by Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo, designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro.The car was seen for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in 2004. The car is a four door coupé and is almost long...
concept car
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
, most notably for its more aggressive look. The 147 achieved a drag coefficient
Drag coefficient
In fluid dynamics, the drag coefficient is a dimensionless quantity that is used to quantify the drag or resistance of an object in a fluid environment such as air or water. It is used in the drag equation, where a lower drag coefficient indicates the object will have less aerodynamic or...
(Cd) of 0.32.
Development
The 147 was facelifted in the end of 2004: new front grille, new headlights, new rear lights and the interior was updated on all models besides the GTA version. Also a new more powerful diesel engine arrived and suspension was also tweaked. In 2006 the 147 1.9 JTD Q2 version was launched, which features a front Torsen limited slip differentialLimited slip differential
A limited slip differential is a type of differential gear arrangement that allows for some difference in angular velocity of the output shafts, but imposes a mechanical bound on the disparity...
. Alfa Romeo presented a new limited edition 147 called Ducati Corse at the 2007 Bologna Motor Show
Bologna Motor Show
The Bologna Motor Show is an auto show held in Bologna, Italy, in December. It is recognized as an international show by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles.- 2011 :...
. The car is equipped with 170 PS JTD diesel engine and Q2, a front Torsen limited slip differential.
The 147 has been replaced by the new Giulietta in 2010.
High-performance versions
The hot hatchHot hatch
Hot hatch was originally an informal automotive industry term, shortened from hot hatchback, initially coined by the British motoring press in 1984, for a high-performance derivative of a car body style consisting of a three- or five-door hatchback automobile.Vehicles of this class are based on...
147 GTA model was launched in 2002. The GTA used a 3.2 V6 engine
Alfa Romeo V6 engine
Alfa Romeos in-house V6 engine design made its initial début in 1979 in the Alfa 6. Introduced in 2.5 L guise, production engines would eventually range from 2.0 L to 3.2 L displacement. With modifications it is possible to increase engine displacement to...
, produced 250 PS and could achieve a top speed of 246 km/h (152.9 mph). It has a widened body (15 mm at each side) to accommodate the 225/45R17 tyres. Earlier models have 6-speed manual transmissions; later models use Selespeed.
London-based after-market tuner Autodelta
Autodelta (UK)
Autodelta is an after-market tuning company for Alfa Romeo cars, founded in 1987 by engineer Jano Djelalian. It is based in the Park Royal industrial area, northwest London, England. The company produces tuning parts and also full bodykits for various Alfa Romeo cars...
has produced a "bored out" version of the GTA sporting a 3.7-litre V6, producing 328 bhp, and a split-axle differential gear for the front wheels. Autodelta has also made a Rotrex supercharged version producing 400 bhp.
Reviews
The handling of 147 was praised in some reviews, in spite of criticism regarding the light (sensitive) steering, which makes some drivers feel less involved. However, light steering does help during parking maneuvers. Other criticisms of the 147 included a cumbersome gearshift, unsupportive seats and the lack of interior space compared to its rivals. The car became well-known for its engine note, which is unusually mellifluous for a car of its class. The 147 suffers from fairly poor resale value in Great Britain. The 147 GTA and 147 Autodelta GTA have been road tested by Jeremy ClarksonJeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Charles Robert Clarkson is an English broadcaster, journalist and writer who specialises in motoring. He is best known for his role on the BBC TV show Top Gear along with co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May...
, and featured on television show Top Gear
Top Gear (current format)
Top Gear is a British television series about motor vehicles, primarily cars. It began in 1977 as a conventional motoring magazine show. Over time, and especially since a relaunch in 2002, it has developed a quirky, humorous style...
with a power-lap around the track by The Stig
The Stig
The Stig is a character in the British motoring television show Top Gear. The character plays on the anonymity of racing drivers' full-face helmets, with the running joke that nobody knows who, or indeed what, is inside the character's racing suit. The character was the creation of presenter Jeremy...
. In his review of Autodelta 147 GTA car for The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times
The Sunday Times is a British Sunday newspaper.The Sunday Times may also refer to:*The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times *The Sunday Times...
, Clarkson described the acceleration as "…Ferrari throttle? Forget it. When you stamp on the accelerator it’s like you’ve hit the Millennium Falcon
Millennium Falcon
The Millennium Falcon is a spacecraft in the Star Wars universe commanded by smuggler Han Solo and his Wookiee first mate, Chewbacca...
’s hyperdrive. Suddenly all the stars are fluorescent tubes. …" and the handling as "....A corner was coming. And then it was a distant speck in my rear-view mirror. I vaguely remember turning the wheel and I have a dim recollection of being astounded by the grip . . . and then the moment was gone. No, really, the damn thing is a barnacle....".
Petrol
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | 0–100 km/h,s | Top speed | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 TS | I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
1,598 cc | 77 kW (105 PS) @5600 rpm | 140 N·m (103 ft·lbf) @4200 rpm | 11.3 | 185 kilometre per hour | 2000-2010 |
| 1.6 TS | I4 | 1,598 cc | 88 kW (120 PS) @6200 rpm | 146 N·m (108 ft·lbf) @4200 rpm | 10.6 | 195 kilometre per hour | 2000-2010 |
| 2.0 TS | I4 | 1,970 cc | 110 kW (150 PS) @6300 rpm | 181 N·m (133 ft·lbf) @3800 rpm | 9.3 | 208 kilometre per hour | 2000-2010 |
| 3.2 GTA | V6 | 3,179 cc | 184 kW (250 PS) @6200 rpm | 300 N·m (221 ft·lbf) @4800 rpm | 6.3 | 246 kilometre per hour | 2002–2005 |
Diesel
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | 0–100 km/h,s | Top speed | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 JTD 8V | I4 | 1,910 cc | 74 kW (100 PS) @4000 rpm | 200 N·m (148 ft·lbf) @1750 rpm | 12.1 | 183 kilometre per hour | |
| 1.9 JTD 8V | I4 | 1,910 cc | 85 kW (115 PS) @4000 rpm | 275 N·m (203 ft·lbf) @2000 rpm | 9.9 | 191 kilometre per hour | |
| 1.9 JTD 8V M-Jet | I4 | 1,910 cc | 88 kW (120 PS) @4000 rpm | 280 N·m (207 ft·lbf) @2000 rpm | 9.6 | 193 kilometre per hour | since 2005 |
| 1.9 JTD 16V M-Jet | I4 | 1,910 cc | 103 kW (140 PS) @4000 rpm | 305 N·m (225 ft·lbf) @2000 rpm | 9.1 | 206 kilometre per hour | |
| 1.9 JTD 16V M-Jet | I4 | 1,910 cc | 110 kW (150 PS) @4000 rpm | 305 N·m (225 ft·lbf) @2000 rpm | 8.8 | 208 kilometre per hour | |
| 1.9 JTD 16V M-Jet | I4 | 1,910 cc | 125 kW (170 PS) @3750 rpm | 330 N·m (243 ft·lbf) @2000 rpm | 8.0 | 215 kilometre per hour | since 2007 |
Connect
Connect is an on-board information system: an on-board telematic system located in the central console that via its 5” monitorComputer display
A monitor or display is an electronic visual display for computers. The monitor comprises the display device, circuitry, and an enclosure...
gives access to satellite navigation
Global Navigation Satellite System
A satellite navigation or SAT NAV system is a system of satellites that provide autonomous geo-spatial positioning with global coverage. It allows small electronic receivers to determine their location to within a few metres using time signals transmitted along a line-of-sight by radio from...
and hands-free GSM phone as well as allowing you to adjust the radio and CD player settings. If subscribed to the CONNECT system by simply pressing the green button you will be connected directly to a member of the service team for assistance.
Awards
The Alfa Romeo 147 has won more than 27 awards including the following:- The European Car of the YearEuropean Car of the YearThe European Car of the Year award was established in 1964 by a collective of automobile magazines from different countries in Europe. The current organisers of the award are Auto , Autocar , Autopista , Autovisie , L'Automobile Magazine , Stern and Vi Bilägare .The voting jury consists of motoring...
in 2001; - Das Goldene Lenkrad ("The golden steering wheel", BILD am SONNTAG - Germany) in 2000;
- Auto Europa 1 (Panel of engineers, drivers and journalists headed by Auto Bild - Germany) in 2001;
- Trophées du design (Automobile Magazine - France) in 2000; and
- Carro Importado do Ano no Brasil - (Brazil Import car of the year) in 2002.
147 in motorsport
World Touring Car Championship
For the video game, known as World Touring Car Championship in Japan, see TOCA World Touring CarsThe FIA World Touring Car Championship is an international Touring Car championship sanctioned by the FIA.-History:...
, winner of 2005 season was Irish driver Eoin Murray
Eoin Murray
Eoin Murray is an Irish auto racing driver, born 9 December 1982. After winning the European Alfa Romeo 147 Challenge in 2005, he made his BTCC debut in the middle of 2006.-Early years:...
. The car used on the series was Alfa 147 GTA Cup producing 220 bhp from its straight-4
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
1970 cc Twin Spark engine.
Alfa Romeo 147 2.0 TS (200 bhp) is used by Czech rally driver Martin Rada, finishing second in N3 group (21st in total) on Rally Monte Carlo in 2009