The 147 made its debut on the Turin Auto Show in 2000. With this model, Alfa pensioned the 145/146 off.
Compared to the 145/6’s the 147 has a brand new chassis, only the scales remained the same, beside the pentangular rear window. The front comes from the 156, just like the floor pan (shorten) and the suspension. This was the last Walter da Silva designed Alfa Romeo.
Under the bonnet, we can find Twin Spark engines, the 1.6 and the 2.0. The 1.6 comes with two versions, 105 and 120 HP, the 2 litre unit boosts 155 horses and a new Selespeed-named electro hydraulical gearbox was available. The only diesel engine is a 1.9 litre JTD, with 115 HP, but in the course of time it’s strengthened to 150 HP.
In the November of 2000, the 147 wins the prestigious Car of the Year contest.
Two years after the premier, Alfa presented the hot hatch version, the 147 GTA. With a real Cuore Sportivo (3.2 litre Arese V6, 250 HP, 300 Nm) the GTA reaches a maximum speed of 250 km/h, and the sprint form 0-100 km/h takes only 6.3 seconds. New bumpers and a new radiator grille were made for the GTA, and of course Alfa strengthened the suspension and the brakes.
At that time debuted the new, 1.9 litre MultiJet diesel unit, with 140 horses. In 2004 the company made a last facelift. By means of this, the 147 get new front and rear lights, new interior, new colours, upholsteries, rims, and the brand new Q2 differential (2006).
