Alfa Romeo 147 (2001-) Review

On the road

• Previous: Reliability and Quality
• Next: Safety and Security

The driving position allows you to get comfortable; unlike most previous Alfas, the ergonomics and positioning of the major controls are excellent, but the main drawback is the poor rear-view vision through the small aft windscreen. New retractable rear headrests help here, though. The instruments' red graphics are hard to focus on at night if you're long-sighted.

The Selespeed semi-auto takes some time to get used to, though it's rewarding once you learn when to ease the throttle for a smooth shift, and it also has a sometimes-jerky fully automatic mode for more relaxed driving. You can shift manually either with the centre push-pull lever or with paddles on the steering wheel; the new Easy Speed is the same system but without the paddles, designed mainly with auto-mad Japan in mind.

Being derived from the 156 saloon, the 147 is on the heavy side, but it has a more sophisticated suspension set-up than most in its class and all the 156's finesse and verve. It doesn't quite feel like a real sports car, but it slices through bends with a zeal accentuated by the quick-acting steering, cornering even more tightly if you back off the accelerator. The new Ford Focus offers a slightly more satisfying steer for the keen driver, however, although the Alfa has the edge over Audi's A3. The standard suspension, fitted to all 147s to date apart from the GTA, remains fidgety over bumps, but the new Comfort system, with softer springs and recalibrated dampers but no change in ride height, smoothes the ride effectively without spoiling the sharp, eager steering responses. It's standard on the fastest, torquiest (GTA apart) 147, the 150bhp JTD, and optional on the others. It should be standard on all of them, because it transforms the car.

The enthusiastic noises issuing from the petrol engines are very pleasing, and the paddle-shift of the Selespeed can be a fun thing to use even if many will prefer the sweet-shifting manual - not least to avoid the first-to-second surge which still troubles the Selespeed even though it's better than it was. The JTD 150 diesel offers fun of a different flavour, with powerful yet effortless overtaking ability, not much turbocharger lag before the wave of pulling power rushes in, and an extra gear. Alfa Romeo claims it makes a sporty Alfa-type sound, too, but that is stretching the point even if the note is quite crisp for a turbodiesel. The JTD 115 stretches the point still further, but at least its manners are sophisticated enough to preserve the 147's aura of quality.

The 1.6 petrol 147 is willing, but has to be worked quite hard. You tend to rev the 2.0 quite vigorously, too, but that's more because it's such a smooth, free-revving unit than through any serious deficiency in low-speed pull. It becomes considerably livelier once past 3000rpm, though, the opposite of the JTD 150 with its ample low-speed urge and long-legged gearing. Its thrust suits the Alfa Romeo badge well - it reaches 62mph in just 8.8 seconds, which is faster even than the 2.0 Twin Spark. The 115bhp JTD feels less sporty than the other cars in this zestful range, but is a fair compromise between performance and economy.

Only enthusiasts should consider ticking the box for the Q2 limited slip differential. It's not cheap (£450), especially when considering, for most, the standard car's traction and stability control will be enough to reduce wheel slip in difficult conditions.

Where the Q2 differential benefits is in the unobtrusive manner it operates and the ability to deal with aggressive driving. In hard cornering the electronic driving aids normally cut power and individually brake wheels as it detects slip slowing the car down. Meanwhile, in sharp contrast the Q2 is shuffling torque almost seamlessly from wheel-to-wheel, transferring as much torque as possible. The net result? The 147 Q2 corners quicker.

Praise should also go to Alfa for achieving all of this without the usual violent tugging through the steering wheel that usually accompanies cars with limited slip diffs.