Alfa Romeo 147 GTA: Spotted

One of motordom's most glorious soundtracks is always worthy of attention. Ditto a hatchback body built the Alfa way...

We’re overjoyed that Alfa Romeo has begun to find its stride again, following the launches of the sweet handling Giulia and the all-important SUV-shaped cash cow, the Stelvio. Only a couple of years ago were we questioning its fitness for survival, but since Alfa’s been given extra financial backing and, even more importantly, the freedom to make cars that drive like Alfas, not just look like them, a turnaround has been set in motion. Although even now, there’s still plenty of work to do. You only have to click onto the Alfa UK website to realise this is very much a two horse show, with the Giulia and Stelvio playing stars of the line-up (the 4C is technically the top model but, well, how often do you see one?), while the ageing Mito and Giulietta do little more than make up the numbers. In fact, the former will be dropped entirely come the start of 2019, showing just how lacking the range is compared to Alfa’s competitors.

There’s at least good reason for the ditching of the Mito, mind, because Alfa said it’ll let go of this slow-selling hatchback to make space for more sports cars and, of course, SUVs. But it does seem like a major shame to us that there’ll be no desirable Alfa hatch on sale anytime soon. Yes, there's the Giulietta Veloce, which has 240hp and yes, it looks rather good, but to drive at pace, it’s rather average. Compared to the likes of the Hyundai i30 N, Renault Megane RS and Volkswagen Golf GTI, it either lacks their sparkle or falls at the wayside due to its dated interior. Little surprise, really, when you consider that the Giulietta will be getting on for nine years old in a few months. Perhaps the last of the desirable Alfa hot hatches has long gone. You know where this is going.

The 147 GTA – now that was an Alfa hot hatch with proper Alfa desirability. It was gorgeous, with that muscular yet elegant body, offset numberplate and wheels that – to this writer’s eyes – blow all other designs out of the water. But its key ingredient also made those attractive traits feel somewhat irrelevant; yes, it's the first thing you thought of when you read 147 GTA: that glorious naturally aspirated 3.2-litre V6. Pressing the right pedal was akin to opening a direct audio feed to the Rome Symphony Orchestra’s latest performance.

With 250hp it’s potent even by today’s hot hatch standards, although transmitting that power to the road through the front tyres was somewhat restrictive to its performance. 0-62mph took a respectable but not particularly impressive 6.3 seconds. It was also rather, ahem, nose heavy. That’s what happens when you stick a 3.2-litre motor under the snout of a hatchback. As such, it never offered handling to go with its vocals, and in truth, the best cars have been modified with aftermarket limited slip differentials to boost traction and, in some cases, uprated suspension to keep the body in check better than the slightly under-damped standard setup.

Such modifications have been applied to today’s Spotted, which is a 63,000-mile-old 2004 car that looks to have been owned by an enthusiast keen on enhancing on-road performance. Along with the aforementioned adjustments, this car also has a cat back exhaust system and a carbon fibre induction kit, so it’s voice should be amplified nicely. It also uses Brembo four-pot brake calipers with performance pads, meaning it should stop a fair bit quicker than an unmolested example.

Although – at the time of writing – this is the lowest mileage 147 GTA on the classifieds, we were almost tempted towards another car finished in a stunning shade of blue. But this black example’s tasteful upgrades left us thinking it could be the sweeter handling option, should you be happy to opt for a modified car, that is. This car isn’t the cheapest on sale at £8,500, but it has just received new, genuine lower wishbones, droplinks and roll bar bushes, and is described by the seller as driving “fantastically”. If you’re after an Alfa hot hatch with appeal that far surpasses the hatchback offerings in its current range, you need look no further.

SPECIFICATIONS - ALFA ROMEO 147 GTA
Engine: 3,179cc, V6
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 250@ 6,200rpm
Torque (lb ft): 221@ 4,800rpm
MPG: 23
CO2: 287g/km
First registered: 2004
Recorded mileage: 63,000
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £8,500

See the original advert here.

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Addymk2

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