By adding five-door 1,6 and two-litre derivatives to its Alfa Romeo 147 line-up, Fiat Auto SA maximises its chances of gaining a bigger share in the highly competitive sub-C market segment.
By adding five-door 1,6 and two-litre derivatives to its Alfa Romeo 147 line-up, Fiat Auto SA maximises its chances of gaining a bigger share in the highly competitive sub-C market segment.
A manual-shift version of the 147 three-door two-litre Twin Spark has also been added to the local line-up. Can the added versatility of the 5-dr derivates firmly establish Alfa Romeo at the upper end of the sub-C segment? After all, the BMW Compact, Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf IV inhabit that part of the sector.
Launched at the Zwartkops Race Track near Pretoria on Thursday, the five-door derivatives retain the charismatic styling of the 3-dr 147s. This is largely thanks to subtle integration of the rear door handles into the window frame surrounds – a feature first seen on the 156.
It’s almost a fact of life… Once most people reach the stage of their careers when they are earning a good salary, and can afford a luxury compact car, family commitments become a priority. Unless the household income can sustain two cars, even yuppies find that their executive transport must double as a carrier of young passengers, baggage or equipment at times.
The enhanced versatility of the 5-dr variants is certainly a plus. Rear-seat accommodation is adequate, but not roomy. Nevertheless, a track test of the manual shift 1,6 and two-litre 5-dr models proved that the additions to the 147 had not changed the range’s sure-footed handling and quick steering response.
The 1,6-litre model offers slightly better balanced handling, but it is equally invigorating to wind up the sweet-revving two-litre Twin Spark with the crisp response and feedback offered by the manual gearshift.
Greg Levine, director of commercial and marketing operations of Fiat Auto South Africa, said the five-speed manual gearbox version of the flagship was introduced in response to market demand from enthusiasts. The Alfa Romeo/Magneti Marelli-developed Selespeed transmission still has a loyal following, he added.
“The 147 has emerged not only as the most popular car in the Alfa Romeo stable, accounting for around 60 per cent of all sales, but has made a qualitative leap upward from the previous model,” Levine said. “Now Alfa Romeo is able to offer a five-door derivative at the premium end of this market sector, which is something neither Audi nor BMW do at present”.
“We have also upgraded equipment levels and enhanced the ownership experience by including a 36 month/60 000 km maintenance plan in the purchase price of all new 147s.”
Alloy wheels are now standard across the range, with two-litre Twin Spark models now offering a full leather interior, cruise control and a front-loading CD player.
Standard features on all models include: six airbags, consisting of steering wheel and facia-mounted driver and passenger airbags, side and window airbags, ABS brakes with electronic brake distribution (EBD) and anti-slip regulation (ASR), with the flagship 2,0 Selespeed sporting the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system.
Fiat Auto SA offers owners of the Alfa 147 a 36-month/100 000 km dealer warranty, three years on paintwork and five years on anti-perforation. Services are required at 20 000 km intervals.
The new models are also covered by the “Alfa Cares” policy in conjunction with the AA Fleetcare roadside assistance. The service, which is active 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, is available by calling the dedicated toll-free number 0800 223 727.
The range available in SA now totals five models and prices are as follow:
Alfa 147 1.6 Twin Spark 3-door Manual – R179 500
Alfa 147 1.6 Twin Spark 5-door Manual – R186 500
Alfa 147 2.0 Twin Spark 3-door Manual – R204 500
Alfa 147 2.0 Twin Spark 5-door Manual – R211 500
Alfa 147 2.0 Twin Spark 3-door Selespeed – R214 500
