Alfa Romeo GT and 147 Q2

Press Release

Alfa 147: the prestigious compact

Available with 3 or 5 doors, the Alfa 147 makes its presence felt on the road, with its streamlined styling, gutsy profile, low grille and elongated headlights with emphatic lines that slope towards the shield. We could say that the model brings out all the brand’s creative vitality.

The compact 147 guarantees superb performance, combined with the Italian styling that gives it its unmistakable line, which is harmonious but always ‘muscular’. The front conveys sportiness and class combined with a certain aggressiveness thanks to the grille and the tapered bonnet. The elongated headlights (glass lids that incorporate three circular chromed elements on a black background) and the air intake, which is divided by one central and two lateral, vertical elements combine to underline the compact Alfa Romeo’s strong personality.

At the rear, the design of the tailgate underlines the car’s elegant styling, which is accentuated by the extended triangular design of the light clusters. And the rear door handles of the five-door version, which are camouflaged into the bodywork, have become an essential feature of the 147.

Inside, the Alfa 147 has a refined, elegant environment that guarantees the highest levels of comfort, an ideal driving position, and an excellent balance between compact, enveloping volumes, uncluttered surfaces and soft, essential lines. All aspects of the driving position adjust: the position and depth of the steering wheel, the height of the wrapround seat and the degree of lumbar support.

The rear head-restraints are designed so that they can be lowered to increase visibility, and the graphics of the conveniently placed control panel on the facia make it clearly visible, with a light or black background.

The passenger compartment is comfortable and spacious, thanks in part to the detailed study of parameters that improve posture as well as head and leg space, but also elegant and highly individual – for example the ‘ridged’ pattern of the seats and door panels which is also set off by a chromed frame that highlights the tweeter inside the door release trim.

The Alfa 147 is also the car for people who like to stand out with class but above all without ostentation. The refined, functional interior can be fitted out with optional features that enhance the level of comfort: for example, a sophisticated Bose^® Hi-Fi system, the Bluetooth^™ hands-free device that allows you to speak on your cell phone through the car’s audio system without taking the phone out of your pocket or bag, and the iPod Pack, that lets you listen to your favourite music with style, design and technology.

Cutting edge engines and engineering

The Alfa 147’s sporty personality is immediately obvious from the choice of engines, all of which guarantee low consumption, high power outputs and extraordinary elasticity, even at low speeds. The engine range is made up of three petrol and two turbodiesel units: two 1.6 Twin Spark 16 valves delivering 105 and 120 bhp, and torque of 14.3 and 14.9 kgm; and the 150 bhp 2.0 16v (torque of 18.5 kgm), another member of the Twin Spark family which has proved extremely popular with all Alfa Romeo customers. The latter engine incorporates a variable geometry intake system, and can also be combined with a Selespeed gearbox with robotised gear engagement and clutch control. The turbodiesels are two powerful 1.9 JTDm units which deliver 150 bhp and 120 bhp at 4000 rpm (with torque of 305 Nm and 280 Nm respectively at 2000 rpm), which are extremely enjoyable and entertaining to drive.

The Alfa 147’s excellent behaviour on the road is also the result of the suspension layout, with high double wishbones at the front, to accentuate the stability of the front-wheel drive, anticipating the inclination of the axis on the bend, to anchor the car to the ground, and independent MacPherson suspension at the rear. The trim was designed to achieve the highest level of comfort, and handling remains one of the car’s outstanding strong points.

Class-topping safety

The Alfa 147 fears no comparison where safety is concerned. Starting with the excellent torsional and flexural rigidity of the bodyshell: 110,000 kgm/rad for the 3-door and 95,000 kgm/rad for the 5-door version. The model also has a servo-assisted hydraulic braking system made up of two independent diagonally split circuits. This is particularly efficient and guarantees prompt, smooth braking as well as short stopping spaces. The front discs are ventilated and 284 mm in diameter, and the solid rear discs have a diameter of 251 mm with Lucas two-piston (38 mm) floating aluminium callipers.

In addition to the excellent performance of this braking system, the entire Alfa 147 range features an ABS anti-lock braking system, complete with EBD (electronic brake distributor), and VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) which guarantees absolute control over the car in all conditions, even the most extreme, thanks to the ASR (Anti Slip Regulation) system.

VDC is Alfa Romeo’s interpretation of ESP (Electronic Stability Program), the system that cuts in when conditions are close to the limit and the car’s stability is at risk, to help the driver to control the car. It is a sporty device, as you would expect of an Alfa with excellent roadholding, and lets the driver enjoy total control of the vehicle as long as conditions are normal, only intervening just before the situation becomes critical. Another device, MSR (Motor Schleppmoment Regelung), cuts in if he changes down suddenly in poor grip conditions, giving torque back to the engine to prevent skidding due to wheel lock. ASR (Anti Slip Regulation) is an integral part of the VDC system, optimising traction at all speeds, assisted by the brakes and the engine control.

A broad, comprehensive range

The 147 comes in a choice of two bodies (3 or 5 door), five engines (1.6 TS delivering 105 or 120 bhp, 2.0 TS delivering 150 bhp and 120 bhp or 150 bhp 1.9 JTDm) with mechanical or Selespeed transmissions, and three outfits (Progression, Distinctive and Exclusive), as well as the Black Line and Collezione Special Series, and the new ‘Q2’ version.

First of all, even the standard outfit (Progression) is lavishly equipped, particularly where safety is concerned, with foglights, 6 airbags, VDC with ASR and MSR, ABS complete with EBD and Brake Assist, adjustable front seat-belts and two rear head-restraints. Plus 16” sports alloys (205/55 tyres), leather covered steering wheel and gear lever knob, split (60/40) folding rear seat, a multifunction display with a trip computer, electric front windows, electric black door mirrors (colour coded when the paintwork is metallic or Alfa Red), and remote control for centralised opening/closing.

The second outfit (Distinctive) adds dual-zone automatic climate control, a front armrest with a storage compartment, Alfatex fabric, cruise control, electric rear windows, 16” alloys with a spoked design and 205/55 tyres, and radio controls on the steering wheel (even the specific controls for versions with the Selespeed gearbox).

At the top of the Alfa 147 range is the elegant Exclusive outfit, which includes radio/telephone controls on the steering wheel, 17” spoke alloys with 215/45 tyres, voice recognition and Connect NAV+ (radio, CD-player, colour display, dual band GSM telephone, hands-free function, map navigator, Connect button for services, and telephone+voice memo voice controls), complete with ‘basic’ annual subscription.

Which brings us to the two Special Series, which are available with a 3 or 5-door body, the 120 bhp 1.6, and the 120 or 150 bhp 1.9 JTDm engines (only the 147 Black Line is equipped with the 105 bhp 1.6). The two versions share the same standard equipment which includes a radio with CD player, leather covered steering wheel and gear lever knob, split (60/40) folding rear seat and manual climate control. The standard equipment also includes the most sophisticated safety devices: from VDC to ASR, ABS with EBD, and six airbags.

In detail, the Black Line combines sportiness and style, underlined by its special ‘two-tone livery’, which combines one of the three body colours available (Alfa Red, Alfa Silver and Montecarlo Blue) with a number of elements painted in an elegant shiny Black (roof and rear spoiler), and satin finish grille, whiskers and mirror housings. The new Black Shadow interior features a new two-tone sporty fabric (black and grey), Anthracite Grey trims on the steering wheel and front console, a black ceiling, new sporty instruments with a red background and white lighting, and aluminium pedals. Other sporty features on the new Alfa 147 Black Line Special Series include the low stance, a chromed exhaust terminal and 17” perforated alloys with chrome shadow treatment and 215/45 tyres.

The Collezione Special Series features an elegant leather interior (two-tone for the seats and facia) and a wide range of standard equipment: dual zone automatic climate control, new 17” spoked alloys, radio with CD and MP3 players, cruise control, and aluminium front and rear heel-high protective strips.