Alfa Romeo's 147, a past Car of the Year (it won by just one point from the Mondeo), is one of the most attractive small family hatchbacks on the market. The romance of its Alfa Romeo badge enhances its appeal, and for the 2005 model year it gains a gentle, Giugiaro-guided facelift to bring it in line with Alfa's latest look. Most obvious are the broader front grille and the wider, pointier head- and tail-lights, while inside new colour schemes and fluted door panels give a visual lift....
Mobile communication station : The 147 can be had with two grades of satellite-navigation system, the ultimate featuring a TV screen. A voice-activated phone is also an option, as is a verbal memo device that allows you to record up to 30 seconds' worth of reminders - brilliant. If you go for the big screen, you lose a cup- and coin-holder, but this is a small price to pay for one of the better sat-nav systems on the market. Sadly, CONNECT - a phone service that links you to a call centre from which operators can dispense information about traffic trouble, the location of car parks, restaurants and other useful things - will not be offered in the UK.
