Alfa 147

[WhipLash]

I've just seen a few new photo's of the forthcoming Alfa 147.

IMHO the car does looks kind of strange at certain angles, especially this one <IMG SRC="http://www.eforecourt.com/showroom/alfa147/alfa-147-2.jpg" border=0>.

Also, the rear end reminds me of the Fiat Bravo, or is it the Brava, or maybe even the Seicento? <IMG SRC="http://www.eforecourt.com/showroom/alfa147/alfa-147-3.jpg" border=0>

Over in the UK, supposedly, the car will first be available with either the 120bhp 1.6, or a 205bhp 2.0 litre, so I suppose we can expect similar in Ireland.

<IMG SRC="http://www.eforecourt.com/showroom/alfa147/alfa-147-1.jpg" border=0>
<IMG SRC="http://www.eforecourt.com/showroom/alfa147/alfa-147-4.jpg" border=0>
<IMG SRC="http://www.eforecourt.com/showroom/alfa147/alfa-147-5.jpg" border=0>
<IMG SRC="http://www.eforecourt.com/showroom/alfa147/alfa-147-6.jpg" border=0>

[Joe]

I have read some reviews (or should I say previews) which compare it's looks with the latest Nissan Dull-mera :)

I bet Alfa would be pleased with those comparisons.

[Phil]

Alfa, what were you thinking about? I'd say anyone who likes the Ford Ka will love this one.
It's a big thumbs down for me!!

Phil.

[Tony]

I thought that the 147 would have been more similar to the 156, but looking at those photos that doesn’t seem to be the case. It certainly doesn’t look as good as I had expected. I must say that I was also very disappointed by the 166’s styling, which people seem to either love or hate. I’ve also heard that 166 sales have been severely disappointing for Alfa, and I’m not surprised either. It remains to be seen how the 147 goes down with the reviewers; the boats certainly still out on that one.

[Anders]

The 2 litre TS will be 150bhp, btw, not 205bhp. The good news is that the 147 is based on a shortened 156 chassis, so it will most likely be dynamically ahead of most of the competition. As for looks, it looks OK to me. Let's see what it looks like in reality before drawing too many conclusions.

The 166 is pig ugly, no doubt about it.

Someone mentioned the Seat Salsa some time back. Now there's an Alfa rip-off if I ever saw one. Not surprising that the Seat design dude did the 156 before joining Seat. Seat could do worse than copying Alfa designs, that's for sure.

[Joe]

The 166, from the very few I have seen on the roads looks totally out of proportion.

It's like they just stretched out the length of the much better looking 156. I reckon it will suffer a similar fate to that of the old Peugeot 605, which was too similar, only uglier than the 405 to ever sell well.

[BeCos]

Well being totally Alfa biased, and I dont mind admitting that, I love the 166 and the 147 even more. Although I do understand neither are for everyones taste.

Just to correct things, the engines will be the 120BHP 1.6, 155BHP 2.0, and 205BHP 2.0 Turbo in the GTA, with 4WD being a distinct possibilty. Also the 156 GTA 3.0V6 will be arriving on these shores next year, for those who can afford the VRT crucified price of IR£38,000 (my estimation)!!.

Stick my name down for one of each!!!

[WhipLash]

Ups, forgot to mention it’s the new Turbo 205bhp version I was talking about. BTW, I’ve heard that the 2.0 205bhp engine will also be available in the 156 too.

The 1.6 120bhp engine does sounds good all right, but I wonder how it would compare to the 1.6 125bhp Polo GTi? I’m sure Alfa will also have their 1.4 version available for the Irish market too (lower VRT).


[This message has been edited by WhipLash (edited 30 May 2000).]

[Anders]

That two litre turbo engine is usually only made available for the Italian market due to their tax system which heavily penalises larger capacity engines (sounds familiar). I vaguely remember that the 156 comes with that engine in Italy also.

According to Autocar the UK market (and hence the Irish market) will get the 1.6 120bhp, the 2 litre 155bhp, and possibly the 2.5 V6 in the future. Continental Europe will also get a 105bhp 1.6 litre engine. But it's possible that Autocar is wrong.

[BeCos]

Anders, the 2.0 Turbo for the Italian market is a 2.0 V6 Turbo, available on the Spider, the GTV and the old 164. The 155 was available with a 2.0 turbo 4 cylinder, straight out of the Delta Integrale. This was known as the Q4, and was 4WD also. It was dropped in 1996.

The 156 is not available anywhere with a 2.0 Turbo, however the GTA that I spoke of could have one instead of the 3.0V6. It would be a great car with a 2.0 V6 turbo though!!!

[IVO']

IMO, the badge is out of proportion to the rest of the car. It's too big.
Aside from the that , the design is fairly provocative but elegant when compared to other leading edge design efforts - for example the Ford Focus.
I think we should wait to see it in the flesh at the Turin Motor show to cast final judgement.
My one worry is that the interior wouldn't be up to scratch. No cheap wood veneer , please!


It's undoubtadley the engines that set Alfa's apart from its main rivals.
To challege the Astra, Golf and Focus, Ireland will probably get a 1.4 version - cos 1.6 medium hatchs's generally dont sell like hot cakes over here.

[BeCos]

Well the current 146 1.4 TS 16V is good for 105 BHP and its no slouch. If that engine were the base engine it would still be a cracking car. :)

[Chancer]

...especially when compared to a 1.4 75bhp VW/Seat/Soda, or even the 1.6 100bhp versions. :rolleyes:

[Tony]

Since the Turin Motor Show is currently on at the minute, does anyone know the official web site, if it even exists?