| Alfa Romeo 147 | |
|---|---|
Alfa Romeo 147 five-door, 1st series (2000-2004)
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Alfa Romeo |
| Production | 2000–2010 |
| Assembly | Pomigliano d'Arco, Italy |
| Designer | Walter de Silva and Wolfgang Egger at Centro Stile Alfa Romeo |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Small family car (C) |
| Body style | 3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Related | Alfa Romeo GT Alfa Romeo 156 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
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| Transmission |
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| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,546 mm (100.2 in) |
| Length | 4,223 mm (166.3 in) |
| Width | 1,729 mm (68.1 in) |
| Height | 1,442 mm (56.8 in) |
| Kerb weight | 1,200–1,360 kg (2,650–3,000 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor |
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| Successor | Alfa Romeo Giulietta |
The Alfa Romeo 147 (Type 937) is a small family car produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo from 2000 to 2010. The 147 was voted European Car of the Year in 2001.
The 147 was launched at the 2000 Turin Motor Show as a replacement for the Alfa Romeo 145 and 146 hatchbacks, and is based on the running gear of the larger 156 saloon. It was sold with 1.6, 2.0, and 3.2-litre petrol engines and a 1.9-litre diesel engine. A sequential, paddle operated 'Selespeed' transmission was available from launch.
Two trim levels were available, Turismo and Lusso. The 147 was the first Alfa Romeo to have dual-zone climate control and electronic traction control. The model was in production for 10 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. In total around 580,000 cars were made.
Styling
The 147 was designed by Walter de'Silva and Wolfgang Egger. The 147 received praise for its styling on launch, later it won styling awards. The 147 range was revamped in 2004, with the exterior styling changed to resemble the new 159 and Brera models, and Alfa Romeo Visconti concept car. The 147 had a drag coefficient (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 changed on all models besides the GTA version. A more powerful diesel engine arrived and suspension was also tweaked.
In 2006, the 147 1.9 JTD Q2 version was launched with a front Torsen limited slip differential. Alfa Romeo presented a new limited edition 147 called Ducati Corse at the 2007 Bologna Motor Show. The car had a JTD diesel engine and Q2, a front Torsen limited slip differential.
The 147 was replaced by the Giulietta in 2010.
High-performance versions
The hot hatch 147 GTA model was launched in 2002. The GTA used a 3.2 V6 engine, produced 250 PS (184 kW; 247 hp) and had a top speed of 246 km/h (153 mph). It has a widened body (15 mm at each side) to accommodate the 225/45R17 tyres. Most models have 6-speed manual transmissions; whilst a smaller number of other models use the semi automatic Selespeed system. In total 5,029 147 GTAs were built, 1004 of which were Selespeeds.[citation needed]
London-based after-market tuner Autodelta has produced a "bored out" version of the GTA sporting a 3.7-litre V6, producing 328 bhp (245 kW), and a split-axle differential gear for the front wheels. Autodelta has also made a Rotrex supercharged version producing 400 bhp (300 kW).
Engines
| Model | Engine | Displacement | Power | Torque | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol engines | |||||||
| 1.6 TS | I4 | 1,598 cc | 105 PS (77 kW; 104 hp) at 5600 rpm | 140 N·m (103 lb·ft) at 4200 rpm | 10.6 s | 185 km/h (115 mph) | 2000–10 |
| 1.6 TS | I4 | 1,598 cc | 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) at 6200 rpm | 146 N·m (108 lb·ft) at 4200 rpm | 10.2 s | 195 km/h (121 mph) | 2000–10 |
| 2.0 TS | I4 | 1,970 cc | 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) at 6300 rpm | 181 N·m (133 lb·ft) at 3800 rpm | 9.3 s | 208 km/h (129 mph) | 2000–10 |
| 3.2 GTA | V6 | 3,179 cc | 250 PS (184 kW; 247 hp) at 6200 rpm | 300 N·m (220 lb·ft) at 4800 rpm | 6.3 s | 246 km/h (153 mph) | 2002–05 |
| Diesel engines | |||||||
| 1.9 JTD 8V | I4 | 1,910 cc | 100 PS (74 kW; 99 hp) at 4000 rpm | 200 N·m (150 lb·ft) at 1750 rpm | 12.1 s | 183 km/h (114 mph) | |
| 1.9 JTD 8V | I4 | 1,910 cc | 115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp) at 4000 rpm | 275 N·m (203 lb·ft) at 2000 rpm | 9.9 s | 191 km/h (119 mph) | |
| 1.9 JTDM 8V | I4 | 1,910 cc | 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp) at 4000 rpm | 280 N·m (210 lb·ft) at 2000 rpm | 9.6 s | 193 km/h (120 mph) | since 2005 |
| 1.9 JTD 16V | I4 | 1,910 cc | 126 PS (93 kW; 124 hp) at 4000 rpm | 305 N·m (225 lb·ft) at 2000 rpm | 9.4 s | 199 km/h (124 mph) | 2003-05 |
| 1.9 JTD M-Jet 16V | I4 | 1,910 cc | 140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp) at 4000 rpm | 305 N·m (225 lb·ft) at 2000 rpm | 9.1 s | 206 km/h (128 mph) | since 2003 |
| 1.9 JTDM 16V | I4 | 1,910 cc | 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) at 4000 rpm | 305 N·m (225 lb·ft) at 2000 rpm | 8.8 s | 208 km/h (129 mph) | since 2005 |
| 1.9 JTDM 16V | I4 | 1,910 cc | 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) at 3750 rpm | 330 N·m (240 lb·ft) at 2000 rpm | 8.0 s | 215 km/h (134 mph) | since 2007 |
Connect
Connect is an on-board information system: an on-board telematic system located in the central console that via its 5 in (130 mm) monitor 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.
Reception
| Euro NCAP test results | ||
|---|---|---|
| Alfa Romeo 147 (2001) | ||
| Test | Score | Rating |
| Adult occupant: | 21 |   |
| Pedestrian: | 17 | |
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 Clarkson, 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...".
Awards
The Alfa Romeo 147 has won more than 27 awards including the following:
- The European Car of the Year 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.
Motorsport
In Europe there was 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 (160 kW) 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 and later finishing first in group 8 on Rally Monte Carlo 2012 (42nd in total)
The 147 also competed, briefly, in the British Touring Car Championship in 2001 with the JSM team, with a best finish of 3rd at Oulton Park, thanks to driver/team owner Tim Harvey. The car won the 2003 and 2004 Italian Superturismo Championship.
