Known for creating some of the most desirable and stylish cars to have graced our roads, Alfa Romeo is often refferred to as the working man's Ferrari. In fact, unless you have actually owned an Alfa, you can't count truly yourself as a true gearhead.
With breathtaking early cars such as the 6C 2500 SS, Montreal coupe, and iconic GTV6 to the more recent Mito supermini, Guilietta hatchback and awesome twin-turbo V6 Guilia Quadrifoglia saloon, Alfa Romeo has a distinct knack for building awesome drivers' cars that appeal to a huge variety of buyers and enthusiasts alike.
Packed full of Italian attitude and verve, the brand's smaller cars, such as the often forgotten 147, have always hit a resonant note with the public and offer an afforable, yet incredible stylish, option to the offerings of more staid German or Japanese rivals. Still instantly recognizable in a packed parking lot and rapidly becoming a modern classic, this is what made the Alfa Romeo 147 so awesome.
10 The Alfa 145 Cloverleaf
Introduced to replace the outdated Alfa Romeo 33, the 145 set the 1994 Turin Motor Show on fire as it's bold and distinct cutting edge design drew the glances of everyone there. Nicknamed the 'Breadvan' by the motoring press, the 145 was received with rapturous applause.
The range topping Quadrifoglio model, or Cloverleaf, was powered by a 2-liter Twinspark engine producing 155 hp, could crack 60 mph in 7.8 seconds and run on to 131 mph. Equipped with Momo sports seats, ABS and a unique bodykit, the Cloverleaf was dripping with attitude.
9 Italian Design
With the distinctive 145 starting to show its age by the end of the nineties, and Alfa Romeo having now regained a once-lost consumer following in its small cars, thanks in part to the hatchback's popularity, the time had come to pen a replacement.
Utilizing the running gear from the larger 156 sedan, a more rounded design compared to the outgoing model was decided upon to match the change in style and consumer trends, whilst retaining that unique Alfa Romeo feel.
8 Selespeed & Q2
In addition to the standard 5 and 6 speed manual transmissions, 147 buyers could tick the option box for the semi-automatic Selespeed gearbox system to be installed. Along with the self-shifting City mode, drivers were able to utilize steering mounted paddles to swap cogs on the go.
Having developed a number of high output diesel powered engines, Alfa Romeo started to equip certain cars with a front Torsen limited slip-differential to reign in the torque. Known simply as Q2, a lot of cars have the unit retrofitted by owners as it drastically improves handling.
7 Engine Choices
Looking to cater to a wide array of buyers, the Alfa Romeo 147 was available with a number of both gasoline and diesel engines of varying displacements and power outputs to ensure that there was an option available for everyone.
The lively gasoline Twin spark engines started at 1.6 liters and topped out 2.0 liters, whilst diesels were offered in 1.9-liter turbo guise. For those seeking even more displacement, the legendary 3.2 V6 Busso engine was shoehorned under the tiny hood.
6 The Ducati Corse
Offering a fantastic blend of individuality, pace, and economy, the limited edition Ducati Corse featured unique body graphics, sports seats, aluminum pedal board and gear shifter, a Q2 differential, unique driver information dials and Ducati badging.
A diesel-only model, the 1.9 liter JTDm 16 valve unit would pump out 170 hp and a massive 243 lb-ft of torque, that's more torque than the GTA, enabling the plucky little Italian to scramble to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds whilst returning a very impressive 47.9 mpg.
5 The GTA
If Ferrari ever made a hatchback, then it would have looked like the 147 GTA. Proudly wearing an aggressive bodykit with deep front and rear valances, flared arches and sporting twin chrome tailpipes, the GTA looks like its doing 100 mph while standing still.
The gorgeous 3.2 liter V6 Busso engine growls with ever blip of the throttle and happily shouts about its chest pounding 250 hp and 221 lb-ft torque which hides beneath the hood. Able to hit 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, the GTA is a true thoroughbred Italian stallion.
4 Motorsport Versions
Building on the strength of the road car's excellent chassis, the 147 has been adapted for motorsport purposes, with the Cup racing version utilizing the 2.0 liter Twinspark along with Kent Cams, racing pistons and throttle bodies to kick out 254 hp.
Alternatively, the rally version uses a highly modified 1.6-liter engine which proudly boasts forged pistons, steel crank, Brembo brakes to produce an impressive 200 hp. Both versions show the potential strength and power available from the naturally aspirated Twinspark engine.
3 The Autodelta
For those seeking the ultimate version of the 147, Alfa's UK-based tuning partner Autodelta took the already fantastic base 3.2 V6 GTA and set about throwing a truckload of parts at it to create a supercharged 3.7 liter snarling monster version of the hatchback.
In GTA AM Super guise the three door hatch spews out 422 hp and 383 lb-ft or torque, thanks to Ferrari throttle bodies, Rotrex supercharger, reprogrammed ECU and half a liter of increased displacement. 60 mph is destroyed in 4.6 seconds, whilst a top speed of 180 mph is possible.
2 Future Classic
With a production run of ten years, the 147 became one of the longest serving European hatchback models before being replaced by the smaller, more efficient Mito. In total, 580,000 147's were sold, and it won over twenty motoring awards during its production run.
Alfa Romeo lovers and enthusiasts have already labelled the mighty GTA as a modern classic and prices have begun to rise as collectors snap up low mileage, pristine examples. The less brawny models however remain very affordable and offer potential investment status.
1 The Rivals
The orginal Golf R32 offered up similar motoring thrills but in a much more robust German package. Its 3.2 liter VR6-derived powerplant offered up less power than the GTA with 237 hp, but benefitted from 4Motion AWD allowing it to hit 60 mph in 6.4 seconds whatever the weather.
Harnessing 212 hp from its humble 2.0 liter turbocharged engine, the Ford Focus RS may have lost out in both the power and displacement stakes, but benefitted from being lighter and far more agile than its rivals. With a 5.7 seconds to 60 mph time, it was also the fastest of the three from the lights.