New Alfa Romeo 147: First Look

By Feann Torr

Italian automaker Alfa Romeo will take the wraps off its sporty new 147 at the 2004 Paris Motor Show.

Hoping to stem the flow of new luxury/sport hatch models such as the venerable BMW 1 Series and the improving Audi A3, Alfa has given its new luxury hatch more power, new styling and some very welcome safety features.

To begin with, the 2005 model Alfa 147 has a new high-performing brake system with ABS (BOSCH 5.7) standard across the entire range, and just for good measure EBD (electronic brake distribution) is also part of the standard package.

In addition to this, it will offer top shelf grip and handling in even the most inclement of weather, thanks to VDC (vehicle dynamic control) and ASR (anti slip regulation) systems.

The VDC is Alfa Romeo's version of an ESP (electronic stability program), a system that essentially overrides the drivers input in under extreme conditions when car stability is at risk, and in doing so potentially helps the driver to control the car.

At this stage in the game, only range-topping models will be standard with ASR, however.

And what is the range-topping model? A 16-valve, 1.9-litre turbo diesel mill that kicks out a tasty 305Nm @ 2000rpm.

This diesel engine belongs to the latest generation of JTD M-Jet engines that offer multijet and multivalve technology, outputting about 112kW (150hp) of power @ 4000rpm.

The M-Jet diesel system works by increasing the number of fuel injections during each engine cycle, so that while the same amount of diesel is burnt, it is delivered in several smaller quantities, making for a more gradual combustion.

Alfa Romeo reckons the results of its M-Jet technology brings about a 6-7 per cent increase in performance, along with less noise and lower emissions. There are also two other 1.9-litre oil burners, worth 75kW (100hp) and 86kW (115bhp) alike.

As far as petrol engines go, three choices are offered, starting with an 80kW (105hp) 1.6-litre 'Twin Spark' 4-cylinder motor, followed by a higher-tune 91kW (120hp) 1.6.

The top shelf petrol engine outputs the same 112kW as most powerful diesel mill, and is a 2.0-litre, 16-valve twin-spark-plug-per-cylinder job.

The gearboxes are also new for 2005 - more specifically, the New Alfa 147 offers a robotised gearbox that is a development of the renowned Selespeed.

Alfa Romeo claims the interface of the new unit is even more "user-friendly and intuitive" this time around, as the new system is designed to automate the clutch controls and gear lever of a manual gearbox through an electrohydraulic servo device.

Two operating modes are available, and in manual mode, the driver engages the gears by means of a lever positioned on the tunnel. Does this mean the F1-inspired steering wheel paddles are gone? We'll have to have for the Paris Motor Show to find out.

Available in 3- and 5-door bodystyles, the Italian marque has given the 147 a fresh-but-subtle new look, that in Alfa speak is "a car for those who love to make their mark quietly through well-bred quality rather than ostentation". Indeed.

The car's exterior panels have been 'massaged' more than 'completely redone' if you will, and the most attention has been paid to the front end, while at the rear the changes are less obvious.

A new, bigger grille is flanked by rather smoothly sculpted headlights that suit the 147's attitude perfectly and though the new car is a little sleeker and smoother than before, it also retains a touch of menace thanks to the lowering of the grille in relation to the bonnet.

Underneath the tri-element headlight assemblies (that have foregone the more 'bubbly' style of their forebears) is a pair of air intakes that contribute to the cars overall sporty character, and the front overhangs are now slightly longer, which may hinder initial turn-in.

Walk around to the rear and you'll note that the designers have again 'massaged' the tailgate and made changes to the brake lights by lengthening them and adding a chrome edge, which gives the car a little more sophistication than before.

As well as the new safety features, powertrains and styling cues, the entire range of the 147 is fitted as standard with the suspension rig that determined the success of the larger-bodied Alfa 156: high double wishbone at the front and a MacPherson strut layout at the rear.

The front wishbone configuration also gets a new spring type and setting, not to mention the adoption of a new hollow anti-roll bar. These changes also benefit the cars kerb weight, dropping some of 1.7 kilograms for the same stiffness and low body roll qualities.

Alfa will also offer a 'Comfort' suspension system. This comes as standard on high end models (112kW/150hp 1.9 JTD) and is an option on other models, and incorporates new suspension components with specific bushing stiffness settings.

Whichever suspension setting is chosen, drivers can expect positive, well-heeled on-road behaviour of the front-wheel drive Alfa Romeo 147, and there's a good range of tyre choices and rims spanning 15-, 16- and 17-inch diameters: 185/65 R15, 195/60 R15, 205/55 R16 and low aspect ratio 215/45 R17. There's also a range of different alloys to choose from.

With the adoption of cutting edge stability systems in the form of VDC and ASR, Alfa Romeo will be aiming to make yet more inroads into the luxury hatch market and put the brakes on the German prestige marques, who are now flooding to the popular genre.

Though it's new range of engines won't set the luxury hatchback market on fire (wait for the new 184kW 147 GTA), together with a slightly less curvy, and more decisive and sporty overall style than its predecessor, the 147 certainly will make choosing a vehicle from this burgeoning category all the more interesting. Do you choose Italian, or German?

No prices have been divulged, but expect a slight price rise over the current 2004 model 147 due to the ABS/EBD standard across the range, and stay tuned to the Motoring Channel for all the latest news from the Paris Motor Show.