Alfa Romeo 147

The 147 was designed by Walter de Silva and Wolfgang Egger. The 147 received praise for its styling on launch, later it won styling awards. The 147 range was revamped in 2004, with the exterior styling changed to resemble the new 159 and Brera models, and Alfa Romeo Visconti concept car. The 147 had a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.32. ==Launch==

In 1999, Alfa Romeo confirmed that it would replace its 145/146 hatchbacks with an all-new model, which was unveiled as the 147 at the Turin Motor Show in June 2000. The first deliveries were in October 2000 in left-hand drive markets, and the right-hand-drive UK versions shortly thereafter. It received the 2001 European Car of the Year award. ==Development==

The 147 was facelifted at the end of 2004: new front grille, new headlights, new rear lights, and the interior was changed on all models besides the GTA version. A more powerful diesel engine arrived and the suspension was also tweaked. In 2007, the 147 1.9 JTD Q2 version was launched, with a front Torsen limited slip differential. Alfa Romeo presented a new limited edition 147 called Ducati Corse at the 2007 Bologna Motor Show. The car had a JTD diesel engine and Q2, a front Torsen limited slip differential. The 147 was replaced by the Giulietta in May 2010. High performance versions The hot hatch 147 GTA model was launched in 2002. The GTA used a 3.2 V6 engine, produced and had a top speed of . It has a widened body (15 mm at each side) to accommodate the 225/45R17 tyres. Most models have six-speed manual transmissions; whilst a smaller number of other models use the Selespeed automated manual system. In total, 5,029 147 GTAs were built, 1004 of which were Selespeeds. London-based after market tuner Autodelta has produced a "bored out" version of the GTA, sporting a 3.7 litre V6, producing , and a split axle differential gear for the front wheels. Autodelta has also made a Rotrex supercharged version, producing . ==Engines==

Connect is an onboard information system: an onboard telematics system located in the central console that via its monitor gave access to satellite navigation and hands free GSM phone as well as allowing the user to adjust radio and CD player settings. ==Reception==

The handling of 147 was praised in some reviews, in spite of criticism regarding the light (sensitive) steering, which makes some drivers feel less involved. However, light steering does help during parking maneuvers. Other criticisms of the 147 included a cumbersome gearshift, unsupportive seats, and the lack of interior space compared to its rivals. The car was noted for its pleasant engine note. The 147 suffers from fairly poor resale value in Great Britain. The 147 GTA and 147 Autodelta GTA have been road tested by Jeremy Clarkson, and featured on television show Top Gear, with a power lap around the track by The Stig. In his review of Autodelta 147 GTA car for The Sunday Times, Clarkson described the acceleration as "Ferrari throttle? Forget it. When you stamp on the accelerator it's like you've hit the Millennium Falcon's hyperdrive. Awards The Alfa Romeo 147 won over twenty awards including: • The European Car of the Year in 2001; • Das Goldene Lenkrad ("The golden steering wheel", BILD am SONNTAG – Germany) in 2000; • Auto Europa 1 (Panel of engineers, drivers, and journalists headed by Auto Bild – Germany) in 2001; • Trophées du design (Automobile Magazine – France) in 2000; and • Carro Importado do Ano no Brasil – (Brazil Import Car of the Year) in 2002. ==Motorsport==

In Europe, there was a one-car racing series, European Alfa 147 Challenge for Alfa 147 Cup race cars starting from 2003. In 2005, this series ran alongside the World Touring Car Championship, winner of the season of 2005 was Irish driver Eoin Murray. The car used on the series was the Alfa 147 Cup producing from its straight-4 1970 cc Twin Spark engine. A 147 2.0 TS (200 bhp) was used by Czech rally driver Martin Rada, finishing second in N3 group (21st overall) on Rally Monte Carlo in 2009, and later finishing first in group 8 on Rally Monte Carlo 2012 (42nd overall) The 147 also competed briefly in the British Touring Car Championship in 2001 with the JSM team, with a best finish of 3rd at Oulton Park, thanks to driver/team owner Tim Harvey. The car won the 2001, 2003 and 2004 Italian Superturismo Championship and won the Super Production class of the 2005 European Touring Car Cup with driver Lorenzo Falessi. ==References==