Alfa Romeo 147

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Alfa Romeo 147
Alfa Romeo 147
Manufacturer Alfa Romeo
Parent company Fiat Group
Production 2000-present
Assembly Pomigliano d'Arco, Italy[1]
Predecessor Alfa Romeo 145/146
Successor Alfa Romeo 149
Class Small family car
Body style(s) 3 and 5-door hatchback
Layout FF layout
Engine(s) Petrol: Diesel:
Transmission(s) 5 and 6-speed manual
5 and 6-speed Seq. manual
Wheelbase 2546 mm (100.2 in)
Length 4223 mm (166.3 in)
Width 1729 mm (68.1 in)
Height 1442 mm (56.8 in)
Curb weight 1200-1360 kg (2645-2998 lb)
Fuel capacity 60 L (16 US gal/13 imp gal)
GTA 63 L (17 US gal/14 imp gal)
Related Alfa Romeo GT
Alfa Romeo 156
Designer Walter de'Silva

The Alfa Romeo 147 is a small family car produced by Italian automaker Alfa Romeo since 2000. The 147 was also voted European Car of the Year for 2001.

The 147 was launched at the 2000 Turin Motor Show as a replacement for the ageing 145 / 146 hatchbacks, and is based on the running gear of the larger 156 saloon. It is available with 1.6- and 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder petrol engines and a 1.9-litre diesel engine.

As of 2008, the car is in its eighth year of production and is now one of the oldest small family cars on sale in Europe.

Contents

[edit] Styling

The 147 was designed by Walter de'Silva 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, most notably for its more aggressive look. The 147 achieved a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.32.[2]

[edit] Development

2nd series Alfa Romeo 147
2nd series Alfa Romeo 147
2nd series Alfa Romeo 147
2nd series Alfa Romeo 147

The 147 was facelifted in the end of 2004: new front grille, new headlights, new rear lights and interior was updated on all models besides the GTA version. Also new more powerful diesel engine arrived and suspension was also tweaked. In 2006 was launched 147 1.9 JTD Q2 version, which features a front Torsen limited slip differential. Alfa Romeo presented a new limited edition 147 called Ducati Corse In 2007 Bologna Motor Show. The car is equipped with 170 PS (168 hp/125 kW) JTD diesel engine and Q2, a front Torsen limited slip differential.[3]

The 147 is scheduled to be superseded by the new Alfa 149 in 2009.

[edit] High-performance versions

Alfa Romeo 147 GTA
Alfa Romeo 147 GTA

The hot hatch 147 GTA model was launched in 2002. The GTA used a 3.2 V6 engine, produced 250 PS (247 hp/184 kW) and could achieve a top speed of 246 km/h (153 mph). It has a widened body (15mm at each side) to accommodate the 225/45R17 tyres. Earlier models have 6-speed manual transmissions; later models use Selespeed.

Its competitors in Europe include the Audi S3, BMW 130i, Volkswagen Golf R32 and the Renault Megane RS.

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),[4] and a split-axle differential gear for the front wheels. Autodelta has made also a Rotrex supercharged version producing 400 bhp (300 kW).[4]

[edit] 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 poor resale value in Great Britain. [5] 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.[6] 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....".[7]

[edit] Engines

At the moment there are three petrol engines (105 PS,120 PS,150 PS) and two diesel engines available (120 PS and 150 PS).

[edit] Petrol

Model Engine Displacement Power Torque 0-100 km/h,s Top speed Years
1.6 TS I4 1598 cc 77 kW (105 PS) @5600 rpm 140 N·m (103 ft·lbf) @4200 rpm 11.3 185 km/h (115 mph)
1.6 TS I4 1598 cc 88 kW (120 PS) @6200 rpm 146 N·m (108 ft·lbf) @4200 rpm 10.6 195 km/h (121 mph)
2.0 TS I4 1970 cc 110 kW (150 PS) @6300 rpm 181 N·m (133 ft·lbf) @3800 rpm 9.3 208 km/h (129 mph)
3.2 GTA V6 3179 cc 184 kW (250 PS) @6200 rpm 300 N·m (221 ft·lbf) @4800 rpm 6.3 246 km/h (153 mph) 2002-2005

[edit] Diesel

Model Engine Displacement Power Torque 0-100 km/h,s Top speed Years
1.9 JTD 8V I4 1910 cc 74 kW (100 PS) @4000 rpm 200 N·m (148 ft·lbf) @1750 rpm 12.1 183 km/h (114 mph)
1.9 JTD 8V I4 1910 cc 85 kW (115 PS) @4000 rpm 275 N·m (203 ft·lbf) @2000 rpm 9.9 191 km/h (119 mph)
1.9 JTD 8V M-Jet I4 1910 cc 88 kW(120 PS) @4000 rpm 280 N·m (207 ft·lbf) @2000 rpm 9.6 193 km/h (120 mph) since 2005
1.9 JTD 16V M-Jet I4 1910 cc 103 kW (140 PS) @4000 rpm 305 N·m (225 ft·lbf) @2000 rpm 9.1 206 km/h (128 mph)
1.9 JTD 16V M-Jet I4 1910 cc 110 kW (150 PS) @4000 rpm 305 N·m (225 ft·lbf) @2000 rpm 8.8 208 km/h (129 mph)
1.9 JTD 16V M-Jet I4 1910 cc 125 kW (170 PS) @n/a rpm n/a 8.0 215 km/h (134 mph) since 2007

[edit] Connect

Connect is an on board information system: an on-board telematic system located in the central console that via its 5 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.

[edit] Awards

The Alfa Romeo 147 has won more than 27 awards[8]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
  • Auto Importado del Año en Brasil - (Brazil Import car of the year) in 2002.

[edit] 147 in motorsport

147 JTD, Markus Lungstrass in Sachsenring 2005 DMSB-Produktionswagen-Meisterschaft
147 JTD, Markus Lungstrass in Sachsenring 2005 DMSB-Produktionswagen-Meisterschaft

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 serie was driven alongside with World Touring Car Championship,[9] 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.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Main Fiat Group Automobiles Plants in the World. fiatgroup.com. Retrieved on 2007-04-29.
  2. ^ Alfa Romeo 147 2.0 SELESPEED Standard Features. carzone.ie. Retrieved on 2007-08-07.
  3. ^ La nuovissima Alfa 147 Ducati Corse. fiatgroupautomobilespress.com. Retrieved on 2007-11-28.
  4. ^ a b Autodelta range section. autodelta.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-04-29.
  5. ^ Cars Reviews Alfa Romeo 147 (01 on). parkers.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-04-29.
  6. ^ The Stig's Laptimes. topgear.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-07.
  7. ^ Autodelta 147 GTA. driving.timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-08-07.
  8. ^ Alfa Romeo 147. alfa.co.nz. Retrieved on 2007-04-29.
  9. ^ Racing news. italiaspeed.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-10.

[edit] External links

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