Alfa Romeo 147 1.6-LITRE RANGE
A psychology student would have enough material for a masters thesis every Friday in our office. Its at this point that the staff run their eye over the list of vehicles available for the weekend. The obvious tactic is to make a play for the keys to the car you want most but there are hierarchies to observe and subtleties involved. Deferring to the boss so that you can store up favours for the supercar that comes in next month is one alternative tactic, as is catching the rest of the crew on the hop by plumping for a model so unattractive they wonder what the attraction is and bag it themselves next time, thus freeing up more desirable metal.
When the choice boiled down to an Alfa Romeo 147 1.6-litre or a technically intriguing but ultimately rather dull competitor, it was a battle between heart and head. With Alfa keys secreted firmly in jacket pocket, Id nevertheless like to refute the accusation that my superficiality runs deeper than most.
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6-litre Rover 45. Think of your cause in terms of social benefit. Park an Alfa 147 on your driveway and your neighbourhood instantly becomes a prettier place. This is particularly true in light of the facelift that defines the latest cars.
Alfa experts will spot their pointier headlamps housing triple light clusters and restyled bumpers with inset fog lamps. Round the back, the rear lights are larger and a chrome strip has been added below the tailgate. The range kicks off with the 105bhp 1.6-litre TS that retails at £13,660 in three-door guise with an extra couple of cunningly disguised doors adding £500 to that asking price.
Alternatively, theres Turismo level or the plusher Lusso trim level that opens at £15,400 as a three-door, both of these model come with the 120bhp 1.6-litre engine. Equipment levels on all cars are class-competitive and include cruise control, rain sensing wipers and steering wheel buttons for stereo and optional phone and voice controls. Safety is well catered for too, with seat belt pretensioners, ABS, a brake force distributor system and traction control on top of the VDC stability control program.
Even in these entry-level 105bhp models, performance is reasonable, particularly bearing in mind that these are surprisingly heavy cars. The 120bhp 1.6 manages to hit 60mph in 10.6 seconds as opposed to 9.
3 for the 2.0-litre Selespeed car. Top speeds for the 1.6-litre three-door is 121mph.
Fuel economy isnt the best in class at an average of 34mpg, but on the all-important overall pence per mile basis, the 147 1.6 Turismo fares no worse than some 1.6-litre Vauxhall Astras. Company car drivers however, may well baulk at the 194g/km carbon dioxide emissions.
"The unabashedly voluptuous styling and the old-school Italianate dashboard lend the 147 a glamour that no rival can match"
Raw figures arent what Alfa Romeos are about, however. Get in a 147 and it just feels more special than any of its competitors. And given that they include BMW, Mercedes and Audi, thats some achievement. Since the larger 156 was launched at the end of 1997, Alfas understanding of how to screw together a decent quality car has come on leaps and bounds.
Anybody exiting a Mercedes E-class and then entering the 166 executive saloon could attest to this. The 147 takes this foundation and reinforces it further. Sit inside the 147 and the memories of Italianate driving positions that we grew up with in Alfasuds and Giuliettas are banished forever. Seat, pedals, steering wheel, gearstick and mirrors all appear to be positioned around an anthropomorphic figure of a human being rather than a gibbon (as was the case with the 145).
The rest of the interior has other such considerate touches too. Alfa hasnt forgotten its heritage and has built upon the inherent romantic appeal of Italian cars. Whereas the 156 brought back the classic cowled fascia dials, the 147 goes a step further by squeezing in two additional dials, evocatively labelled benzina and aqua. The tachometer bears the legend giri making you feel if not like Nuvolari, then at least distantly following in his wheeltracks.
Its not all dewy-eyed nostalgia, however. Elsewhere in the relentlessly well-finished cabin are some determinedly high-tech touches. Six airbags come as standard, as does climate controlled air conditioning. State-of-the-art multiplex wiring has made possible the option of a full-screen voice activated satellite navigation system with an inbuilt Bose stereo and GSM telephone system.
Its not cheap, but the satellite navigation setup is one of the best available anywhere, as is the Vehicle Dynamic Control, which is a stability control system which aims to prevent the 147 spinning. Its on a par with the PSM program used by Porsche in the way that it credits the driver with some leeway before gently stepping in to restore equilibrium if progress is overenthusiastic. The 147s chunkily well-built feel translates into its driving characteristics. The Twinspark engine is a powerplant that thrives on revs but the 147 always feels well planted, its squat, foursquare shape giving it a hunkered down feel.
The steering is a good deal more vivid than many more mainstream rivals and front end grip is very good, the quick steering tipping the Alfa into corners with an infectious verve. Keener drivers may be left hankering after a few more horsepower on the straights, but theres little cause for complaint when the price tag is taken into account. The gearchange is pleasantly light although a little long in the throw, the brakes are beefy and the engine tunefully vocal. The Alfa Romeo 147 1.
6-litre is a car that needs to do more than just look the part. Thankfully it backs up the pretty styling with a characterful engine, comprehensive safety provision and the impression that its been well screwed together. Its not the most economical nor is it the most spacious car in its class but it engenders a massive feel good factor. I know this because the keys are in my pocket.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Alfa Romeo 147 1.6-litre range
PRICES: £13,660-£15,900 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 12
CO2 EMISSIONS: 194g/km
PERFORMANCE: [120bhp] 0-60mph 10.6s Max Speed 121 mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [120bhp] (urban) 25.2 (extra urban) 44.1 (combined) 34.4
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, window and side airbags, VDC, ABS, traction control,
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 4430/1745/1415mm
