1 Sep 2001
THE front-wheel drive 147, essentially a cut-down Alfa 156, effectively takes over where the classic Alfasud of the 1970s left off in 1984.
Yet, as either a three-door or deceptively concealed five-door, it’s better in every way, from the way it looks to the quality and sophistication of overall presentation.
Plus the 147 doesn’t rust (yet). It’s so strong in so many areas – interior ambience, driver comfort, value-for-money and, perhaps most important of all, the driving experience.
Super-sensitive yet safe and stable steering makes the 147 a sheer joy.
Engines are predominantly a 110kW/181Nm 2.0-litre DOHC 16V four-cylinder Twin Spark unit married to a five-speed manual, or a rather unsatisfying F1-style six-speed Selespeed sequential manual or – from August 2003 – a gob-smackingly entertaining and addictive 184kW/300Nm 3.2-litre DOHC 24V V6, in the three-door-only 147 GTA.
Italians DO do it better!
