Car Detail

The Alfa Romeo 147 is a sports-inspired quality hatchback and the most compact model in Alfa Romeo’s range. It is available with a choice of responsive petrol and diesel engines as well as a high level of safety and comfort-related equipment.

The Alfa Romeo 147 is aimed at those who appreciate keener dynamic responses and sophisticated design. As well as elegant detailing, the Alfa Romeo 147 exhibits well-judged proportions and a sporting stance that hints at its alert road manners.

There are three-door Alfa Romeo 147’s and five-door versions of the Alfa Romeo 147, which is often regarded as a more individual alternative to other quality compacts such as the Audi A3.

There are two body styles – three-door and five-door hatchback – and the two levels of trim are Turismo and top-flight Lusso. All Alfa Romeo 147 models are fitted with electric front windows, cruise control, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob, remote central locking with alarm, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors and an eight-speaker radio/CD sound system. Safety equipment, as mentioned, is extensive.

Most variants have alloy wheels and top-specification models have dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery, rear parking sensors and a multi-function steering wheel. Xenon headlights, satellite navigation and automatic operation of wipers and lights are all available as options.

Every Alfa Romeo 147 is equipped with twin front, side and curtain airbags as standard. In addition, the front seatbelts are fitted with pre-tensioners and load limiters and all three rear passengers have a three-point seatbelt.

The cabin has been designed to act as a safety cell in an accident, with side impact bars and crumple zones built into the structure to dissipate the forces generated during a collision.

There’s also a collapsible telescopic steering column and a comprehensive fire prevention system. To help avoid an accident happening, each Alfa Romeo 147 has anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution (ABS + EBD) and ASR anti-skid control. An alarm, engine immobiliser and remote central locking are also standard fitments.

The two JTDm turbodiesels emit 153g/km and 157g/km of CO2, which is a good rating given their performance. The petrol models emit 194g/km and 211g/km.

There are two petrol engines and two turbodiesels. All are available with a three-door and five-door body style.

The entry-level petrol engine is the 1.6-litre Twin Spark, which delivers 120bhp in an eager and free-revving fashion. This proven powerplant is capable of propelling the Alfa Romeo 147 to 121mph, yet it can also average 34.4mpg and has CO2 emissions of 194g/km.

A 150bhp 2.0-litre Twin Spark petrol engine provides even more energetic responses. In both three-door and five-door form it combines 129mph performance with 31.7mpg fuel economy and 211g/km emissions.

Both petrol engines feature Alfa Romeo’s characteristic configuration of two spark plugs per cylinder, 16 valves and variable geometry intake manifolds to ensure the best responses over a wide range of engine revs.

The two JTDm engines deploy innovative Multijet fuel injection systems to produce muscular pulling power, especially at lower revs, and impressive fuel efficiency. The 120bhp 1.9 JTDm averages 48.7mpg and emits just 153g/km of CO2 but offers 120mph performance.

The 150bhp 1.9 JTDm 16v version, meanwhile, raises the top speed to 129mph with minimal sacrifice to fuel economy, averaging 47.9mpg. Emissions are a low 157g/km. The 1.9 JTDm 16v drives through a six-speed manual gearbox, whereas the other three engines are combined with a five-speed manual.

The entry-level model is the £14,897 three-door Alfa Romeo 147 Turismo in 1.6 TS petrol-engined guise. Five-door versions command a £500 premium over their three-door equivalents, rising to the 1.9 JTDm 16v Lusso range-topping five-door priced at £18,908. Within the line-up three versions are priced identically: the 2.0 TS Lusso, 1.9 JTDm Lusso and 1.9 JTDm 16v. In three-door form, these models are £17,245 and as five-doors they’re priced at £17,735.

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