Wednesday 12th December 2012

Spotted: Alfa 147 GTA

Could a couple of sensible mods have unleashed the hidden promise in the GTA? It's worth a look...

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As Dan alluded to in his recent blog, there currently exists a dearth of truly charismatic powerplants. A fact of life in this age of ever stricter emissions and efficiency regulations and one that has claimed some notable scalps. So this Spotted is a tribute to perhaps the saddest demise of them all; the Alfa V6, specifically installed in the 147 GTA.

You'd almost want a transparent bonnet

The 3.2-litre variant of Alfa's V6 can trace its roots back to 1987, when Alfa Racing in South Africa bored and stroked the original 2.5 to 3.0-litres for the 75. The introduction of two camshafts and four valves per cylinder in 1993 lifted power over 200hp, whilst the 3.2 made its debut in 2002.

Nobody on PH needs reminding what a beautiful engine the Alfa V6 is, either to look at, listen or use. The reason this V6-engined 147 deserves special attention is that it may be the GTA that should have originally left the factory.

In 2012, a hot hatch can barely term itself as such without at least 250hp. But in 2003, that was a big power figure for the 147 to be wading into battle with. Moreover, even if 250hp is now a minimum requirement, some sort of advanced suspension tech or LSD-aping driver aid is employed to harness the power.

GTA has aged well looks-wise

Alfa's attempts at this weren't as successful as today's efforts; the GTA couldn't transmit its power to the road effectively, that wonderful engine overwhelming the 147's chassis. Moreover, the GTA's flaws were ruthlessly exposed by its contemporaries. The first generation Focus RS was demonstrating the effectiveness of its torque-sensing Quaife diff whilst the Golf R32 offered 4WD security with its own sonorous V6.

The simple fact is the 147 GTA wasn't that competitive at its launch, and there's little that rose-tinted nostalgia can do about it. The standard car was good enough, but the chassis failed to match the delights of the engine. But this GTA isn't standard...

Sounds good on paper - worth a closer look?

Bizarrely, the first Alfa Romeo fitted with its Q2 limited-slip differential wasn't either of the GTA flagships. In fact, it was first offered in GT and 147 diesels as an option in 2007. But soon the diffs were being retrofitted to V6 petrol cars, like this particular GTA.

Furthermore, the addition of Koni FSD dampers, Eibach anti-roll bars and a Wiechers front strut brace to this 147 can only have improved matters further. This car isn't a touring car replica (cool though that could be), it's a 147 GTA that has been optimised for road use with a set of choice modifications. Of course, it's hard to know without driving how far improved this car is from standard but, honestly, who wouldn't want to find out?

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Engine: 3,179cc V6
Transmission: Six-speed manual, FWD
Power (hp): 250@6,200rpm
Torque (lb ft): 221@4,800rpm
MPG: 23
CO2: 287g/km
First registered: 13/09/2004
Recorded mileage: 48,600
Price new: £22,520
Yours for: £7,895

See the original ad here

 

[BUG4LIFE]

I so want a 147GTA!!!

[daemon]

Looks pricey...

[buckline]

daemon said:

Looks pricey...

^^^ cant agree more.

[yellowstreak]

8 years later its still a great looking car though.

[seismic22]

I've driven a 147 JTD 150 with the Q2 diff on many occassions and could never quite get over how incredibly well the thing handled. I took more and more liberties when ever I used it but the thing just kept on gripping and gripping whatever I did. Was very impressed and can only assume that it transforms the GTA.

If the modifications prove to reign in the original oversteery character then I know I'd much rather have one of these than a boring old R32 or the slightly more main stream but still supposidly fantastic RS.

Edited by seismic22 on Wednesday 12th December 12:17

[anonymous-user]

Awesome cars. My old V6 GTV sounded amazing with Regazzon quad pipes, these are just as good. Only thing I found is Alfas are expensive cars to run and something always needs doing to them.

[SmartVenom]

An old neighbour had one of these in red, his was heavily worked on and apparently went as well as it looked and sounded. It really was a gorgeous car and often lead to me looking at them in the classifieds. That said this does seem a little pricey given it's age. I know its had money spent on it, but you never get back the cost of mods.

Looks great in blue as well.

[kambites]

Clearly not all Alfas depreciate horrifically, then. Over 30% after 8 years is pretty impressive.

[Guvernator]

Took one for a test drive when they first came out many moons ago and I remember it looked gorgeous and that engine was an absolute gem. Couldn't believe how quick it felt for a hatchback at the time, however the chassis did leave a little to be desired and you could definitely feel the torque steer through the wheel. That plus Alfa's reliability issues and savage depreciation put me off in the end but I still look at them longingly from time to time as I think they are still one of the prettiest hatchbacks ever released.

Iv'e not tried a modded one but by all accounts the Q2 diff and some suspension mods transform the car and make it sublime.

As for being overpriced, not sure what you are comparing it too but that is generally the going rate for a 147 GTA and you are getting the rather pricey and well thought out mods for free. Only thing I don't like is the colour, would have to be Alfa Red for me.

Hmm wonder if I could convince the missus that she needs a 147 GTA as her new car?

[Benjaminbopper]

These 'spotted' threads really do epitomise PH for me, performance car hero's that are accessible to the normal man. A good spot!

[phast]

I had one of these for a week a few years back from a very generous dealer, but sadly without the diff.
To be blunt it was awful, terrible torque steer, chased cambers like nobody's business, Traction control on and the light would flash like mad, Traction control off and the tyres would just spin at the slightest provocation. Chassis couldn't cope with 250bhp and with that V6 upfront was the very definition of understeer...

But for all its foibles I utterly loved it, that car really got under my skin. Oh the noise, I can hear it now, no hatchback has the right to sound so glorious. And the engine bay was automotive porn.

One with few tricks to tame its wayward nature would be some car.

[will01]

GTA's are all very good fun, the engine noise alone is enough to buy the car for , you always sit there cruising along and i always feel the need to drop a few cogs and let the engine make the music rather than listen to the radio.
If you ever get a chance to buy one i wouldn't turn it up, i wouldn't be too put off with reliability, they are reliable as long as you look after them

[unpc]

Had one of these for 5 years and proved to be utterly reliable daily transport. The only thing that broke was the gear knob and that was made by the company I used to work for so was easily replaced. I never did try one with the Q2 but it really did need some mods as the chassis was a weak point.

[wheedler]

My good friend had a 2004 2l 147 with leather. Guess the only thing you should know this that you can bump start it in reverse.

[AMcLean]

What Will said ^^

I've spent about 3.5k in 4 years on my 156 GTA, ok so that's a fair chunk in some peoples mind. But it cost £10k then in 2008 and is probably worth 6k now. My man maths tells me that's money well spent. I've no intention of getting rid of it, and am looking forward to the next 4 years of driving !

[crostonian]

Note to the author, I think you'll find the 3 litre conversion carried out in South Africa was for the Alfetta GTV6 not the 75.

[Matt Bird]

crostonian said:

Note to the author, I think you'll find the 3 litre conversion carried out in South Africa was for the Alfetta GTV6 not the 75.

Thanks for this, you learn something new every day! Regarding the price, there are currently only four 147 GTAs in the PH Classifieds, and the cheapest is £7,495; one's even on POA! I would assume the 156 is perhaps a little less having been launched earlier but maybe values are strengthening slightly now everything had four cylinder and a turbo...

Matt

[GhostyDog]

Alfa's are cars you love and hate in fairly equal measures, with a GTA those emotions are just much stronger, when everything works perfectly there's NOTHING like it, but when it's failing or you are chasing little niggles around the car perpetually it makes it hard to love.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

Great cars.

I had one as a company car for about 3 years and had the Q2 diff fitted and a sports exhaust.

It was fantastic.

Shame my company car rules have changed

[MrHooky]

Beautiful car and tasteful mods. Love the blue personally, would rather have over an Alfa Red.

Car has clearly been looked after and would be worth a punt. Love the honesty of the imperfections listed which are minimal given it's 8 years old. Looks in fantastic condition in the pics.

I have a 2004 MKI TT V6 which I bought purely for cylinder count. Seriously tempted to swap my understeering Haldex equipped hairdresser mobile for something with more balls.