The Alfa Romeo 147 has been on sale in the UK for seven years and over that period has helped the Italian company redefine its public image.
Before the 147 an Alfa Romeo was considered by many to be a risky and slightly eccentric purchase, particularly on the used-car market once the vehicle’s warranty had expired. The cars may have looked good but they were notoriously unreliable and not very durable.
But in the space of a single model’s lifetime the Alfa Romeo family has undergone a transformation; the marque now offers not only beautiful, but also well engineered saloons, coupés, convertibles and hatchbacks that are as good as any of their mainstream competitors.
Voted European Car of the Year in 2001, the 147 underwent some significant revision in its 2005 update. The task of making an already pretty car even more attractive is never easy to pull off, but the Alfa Romeo designers managed to do just that.
At the front are triple-cluster lights and a new style of bumper, while around the back there’s an attractive chrome strip along the lip of the reprofiled tailgate. A new bumper and larger boot-lid badge complete the exterior changes.
Slip inside the cabin and you’ll no doubt find that the latest 147 is equally impressive. The fit and finish of the dashboard and switchgear were improved as part of the 2005 revisions, such that now the 147’s interior even feels as if it’s a grade above that of most European competitors, and certainly significantly ahead of many Far Eastern competitors.
The 147 is nothing if not a drivers’ car. On the road its taut chassis inspires confidence, while the standard-fit Vehicle Dynamic Control system – Alfa’s home-grown answer to ESP (electronic stability program) – keeps you going in the direction you’d always intended.
Some models of the facelifted Alfa provide the option of a Comfort pack, which produces a softer ride thanks to revised suspension-damper settings.
The standard manual gearbox is a delight to use, but the optional automatic, which was only available on the 2 litre petrol version, failed to sell in large numbers and so was phased out towards the end of 2005.
The revamped 147 also featured a lineup of more powerful diesel engines. The 115bhp 1.9 litre unit was upgraded to 120bhp and joined by a potent 150bhp version.
All that power and a useful 225 lb ft of torque at just 2000rpm ensure that the diesel pulls strongly. The 0-60mph sprint takes just 8.8sec, quick enough to scare many petrol-powered hot hatches, but it’s the car’s refinement when it’s cruising in sixth gear that really makes this model the Alfa 147 to buy.
Power from the petrol-engine models remained unchanged, but it is worth noting that the 1.6 litre unit in the 147 Twin Spark produces just 105bhp, while the 1.6 of the Tourismo and Lusso produce 120bhp.
Equipment levels are pretty generous, with all cars featuring climate control, an alarm system and six airbags. All but entry-level TS models also have alloy wheels.
The optional leather upholstery proved popular among buyers thanks to a reasonable price of less than £1,000, so it’s worth looking around to find a used example fitted with it, as it adds greatly to the feel and desirability of the car.
The optional – and rather expensive – factory-ordered sat nav system is rarely found on used cars, so owners tend to have to make do with a portable unit instead.
In 2009 the 147 is destined to be succeeded by the new 149. But what owners of a used 147 will already know is that theirs is the car that saw the transformation of Alfa Romeo from a maker of desirable but unreliable cars that were all too often a liability, into a producer of truly world-class ones.
Servicing Due every 12 months or 12,000 miles. Check for dealer stamps and copies of original repair invoices
Upholstery Leather seats a desirable option on all models
Alloy wheels An Alfa on steel wheels just looks wrong; fortunately all but the base model gets alloys as standard
Colours The 147 is one of the few modern cars that looks great in bright red and other solid finishes
Audio Standard system works well, while optional Bose system is superb
Onboard computer Operated from the stalk, it provides information about average speed, fuel economy and tank range
Bonnet Prone to stone chips; check for damage to lower lip of front bumper and cracked foglamp lenses
Safety Six airbags as standard but the 147 only achieved three stars in the Euro NCAP test for adult occupant safety
Tyres Check inside edge of front tyres for wear, a sign the steering is misaligned
Boot Boot is smaller than in some rivals
Puddle lights Underdoor illumination and headlamp delay system are useful when parking at night
Vital statistics
Model Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD Lusso
Engine 1910cc, four cylinders
Power 150bhp
Transmission Six-speed manual
Fuel 47.9mpg (combined)
Acceleration 0-60mph: 8.8sec
Top speed 129mph
CO2 emissions 157g/km
Road tax band D (£140 for 12 months)
Cost new today £19,050
The one to buy A 2006 06 Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD Lusso five-door with 20,000 miles. Pay £11,750 at an Alfa dealer or £11,000 privately
Values
Mileage 10,000 20,000 40,000 2005 05
Trade £9,225 £8,775 £7,900
Retail £11,095 £10,650 £9,775
2006 06 Trade £10,250 £9,725 £8,800
Retail £12,250 £11,750 £10,795
2007 07 Trade £11,200 £10,650 £9,600
Retail £13,150 £12,595 £11,595
Or for similar money
2005 55 Volkswagen Golf 1.9 Sport TDI 5dr
2006 55 Citroën C4 2.0 HDi Exclusive 5dr
2006 55 Honda Civic 2.2i-CDTi SE 5dr
2006 06 Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi Titanium 5dr
2007 07 Vauxhall Astra 1.9 CDTi SRi 5dr
The Alfa Romeo 8C name was used on road, race and sports cars of the 1930s. The 8C means 8 cylinders, and originally referred to a straight 8-cylinder engine. The Vittorio Jano designed 8C was Alfa Romeo's primary racing engine from its introduction in 1931 to its retirement in 1939. In addition to the two seater sports cars it was used in the world's first genuine single-seat Grand Prix racing car, the Monoposto 'Tipo B' - P3 from 1932 onwards.[1] In its later development it powered such vehicles as the twin engined 1935 6.3 litre Bimotore, the 1935 3.8 litre Monoposto 8C 35 Type C, and the Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Mille Miglia Roadster. It also powered top of the range coachbuilt production models. In 2004 Alfa Romeo revived the 8C name for a V8-engined concept car which has made it into production for 2007, the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.
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