Alfa Romeo 147 2003 review

AH, THOSE exuberant Italians. Such an excitable lot. So passionate, so alive, so full of zest . . . I don't mean the people, but their cars.

And even among such a hyperactive bunch, the Alfa Romeo 147 GTA stands out as especially packed with energy.

Alfa has taken its largest, highest-output V6 engine and squeezed this formidable powerplant into its smallest car, the three-door 147 hatchback which is normally found with a four-cylinder engine.

The result is every bit as explosive as that sounds. Just as there are blondes, then there's Cameron Diaz, so there are compact hot hatches, then there's the 147 GTA.

It appears innocent enough, pocket-sized, low-key. But look closer and you notice how its nose is bolder than regular 147s, with black mesh panels front and rear giving a purposeful air, how the wheel arches are flared to cover wider wheels and tyres, how it squats closer to the ground.

Remarkably, this little car is capable of acceleration in the same bracket as a V8-engined Holden Monaro, coupes like the new Nissan 350Z and Mazda RX-8. That's seriously quick, pretty flash company.

Not that it is cheap. In fact it matches the glamour coupes in price.

You approach the 147 GTA expecting it to be stable as the Italian political system, but in spite of its wild streak it isn't anti-social: no overly loud noises, no harshness. Steering and gearchange are surprisingly smooth and light.

And though so much power channelled through the front tyres sounds a sure recipe for disaster, the high-energy Alfa turns out to be remarkably surefooted and poised.

Even full-bore takeoffs -- strictly for research purposes, of course -- don't send it squirming off the road. It just roars, then grips, then flies, with enough acceleration to clamp you into the (extremely comfortable) seat.

Once under way, it seems ready to leap forward at a moment's notice, almost regardless of which gear it is in.

On the down side, the firm ride could get tiresome for anyone who spends a lot of time on poor roads.

To compensate, the GTA's balance and quick reflexes make the smoother sections of those back roads a delight.

The mini hotshot bursts on to the scene as the 156 GTA -- same V6 engine as the 147 but with a larger sedan body, costing $89,950 -- is about to disappear after just a year on sale.

Getting the 147 GTA instead of the 156 version seems a fair swap since the newcomer is $30,000 cheaper and feels even more exuberant, while just slightly less convenient.

The changeover is in a revamp of the Alfa range: a new Spider convertible later this month, a facelifted 156 sedan and wagon next month, a new GTV coupe in November, a new 166 sedan in December.

Next year brings a clutchless "Selespeed" version of the 147 GTA followed by an all-new model called the GTA Coupe.

For now, though, the 147 "hyper hatch", as Alfa has modestly dubbed it, is the performance champ of the family.

But is it sensible? Does the world actually need a small Italian hatchback turned into a rocketship? Nah, not for a moment. But it is a fabulous plaything, full of life, packed with character.

Pity that it has so much spirit your licence is in jeopardy every time the GTA sniffs an open road.

Other flaws? Well, there is that firm ride -- not uncomfortable, but you soon learn it is best to steer around potholes -- and the GTA is going to cost more in insurance, fuel, tyres. None of those quibbles would deter an enthusiast with ample money on hand and that mischievous Alfa gleam in the eye.

For the lofty sum of 60 grand there are plenty of other cars, more roomy and more refined, which really are fast enough for most of us.

After all, even the four-cylinder 147 Twin Spark model (two-thirds the GTA's price, less than two-thirds the power output) is no slouch. Bet it would take me the same time to drive home from the office in either version.

But occasionally that GTA would be more fun. Big fun.

KEYPOINTS

ALFA ROMEO 147 GTA
DETAILS: Small three-door hatchback, front-wheel drive, with 3.2 litre V6 engine. Power 184kW, torque 300Nm. Six-speed gearbox.
FEATURES: Front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control, alloy wheels, airconditioning, cruise control, power windows, remote central locking.
PERFORMANCE: 0-100km/h 6.3sec. Top speed 246km/h. COST: $59,990.
OPTIONS: Leather upholstery $3500. Xenon headlights with washer system $1500.
RIVALS: Subaru WRX STi sedan (195kW, $56,630), Audi S3 hatchback (165kW, $67,420), VW Golf RS32 hatchback (coming in 2004, 177kW, $63,000).
FOR: Spirited performance, excellent road manners.
AGAINST: Small car, big price. Prefers smooth roads.
SUMMING UP: Wow.