Alfa Romeo 147

Alfa Romeo 147: which version to buy

If you are choosing an Alfa Romeo 147, the data split is two catalogue generations of the same Hatchback 3-door, both FWD: 1 generation (2000-06-01–2004-09-30) and 1 generation, restyling (2004-10-01–2010-05-31). Across both, every measured car uses Independent, spring suspension, Ventilated disc front brakes, Disc rear brakes, a 60 L tank and 120 mm ground clearance.

If you are choosing an Alfa Romeo 147, the data split is two catalogue generations of the same Hatchback 3-door, both FWD: 1 generation (2000-06-01–2004-09-30) and 1 generation, restyling (2004-10-01–2010-05-31). Across both, every measured car uses Independent, spring suspension, Ventilated disc front brakes, Disc rear brakes, a 60 L tank and 120 mm ground clearance. Wheel sizes are not measured on any version. The buying question is not body or drive — it is which engine, gearbox and generation give the acceleration, torque and fuel numbers you actually use.

The range of measured 0–100 km/h times is 6.3 s (3.2 MT 250 hp in both generations) to 12.1 s (1.9 MT 101 hp). Measured mixed consumption is 5.8 L/100 km on the 101 hp 1.9 MT versus 12.1 L/100 km on the 3.2 MT. That 6.3 L/100 km gap on a 60 L tank is about 496 km of mixed range on the V-shaped 6-cylinder Gasoline car versus about 1,034 km on the 101 hp Diesel — more than twice the distance per fill. CO2 and eco class are not measured on any version.

Generations compared: what the restyling actually changed

1 generation and 1 generation, restyling share the same Hatchback 3-door shell, FWD and the same 60 L / 120 mm chassis figures. Several powertrains carry over with identical power and 0–100:

• 1.9 MT 101 hp: 12.1 s, 183 km/h, mixed 5.8 L/100 km, 1270 / 1790 kg in both generations.
• 1.9 MT 115 hp: 9.9 s, 191 km/h, 1270 / 1790 kg; city/highway/mixed fuel not measured in either generation.
• 1.9 MT 140 hp: 9.1 s, 206 km/h, mixed 5.9 L/100 km, 1275 / 1795 kg, 6-speed Manual in both.
• 3.2 MT 250 hp: 6.3 s, 246 km/h, mixed 12.1 L/100 km, 1290 / 1819 kg, 6-speed Manual in both.
• 1.6 MT 105 hp: 11.3 s, 185 km/h, 1190 / 1710 kg in both; mixed 8.1 L/100 km is measured only on 1 generation.

Where the restyling does change the numbers, it is usually mass, not power:

• 1.6 MT 120 hp: same 10.6 s and 195 km/h. 1 generation kerb 1200 kg and 148 Nm; 1 generation, restyling kerb 1225 kg (+25 kg) and 146 Nm (−2 Nm). Mixed fuel is not measured on the pre-restyle 120 hp car; restyle mixed is 8.2 L/100 km. Weight per horsepower goes from 10.00 kg/hp to 10.21 kg/hp.
• 2.0 MT 150 hp: same 9.3 s and 208 km/h, same 181 Nm. 1 generation kerb 1250 kg (8.33 kg/hp); restyle 1275 kg (8.50 kg/hp), +25 kg. Mixed 8.9 L/100 km is measured on the restyle 2.0 MT and on one 1 generation 2.0 MT; a second 1 generation 2.0 MT 150 hp has the same 9.3 s / 208 km/h but fuel not measured.

Robotic 5-speed cars are labelled differently by generation: 2.0 DSG on 1 generation, 2.0 TCT on 1 generation, restyling. Where both are fully measured they match: 150 hp, 181 Nm, 9.3 s, 208 km/h, mixed 8.9 L/100 km. Restyle 2.0 TCT is 1275 kg versus 1250 kg on the measured 2.0 DSG. A second 1 generation 2.0 DSG 150 hp has 187 Nm, power peak at 6400 rpm (not 6300) and torque peak at 3500 rpm (not 3800); 0–100, top speed, fuel and kerb weight are not measured on that row — only gross 1770 kg.

1 generation, restyling adds Diesel rows that 1 generation does not list: 1.9 MT 120 hp (9.6 s, 193 km/h, mixed 5.8), 1.9 MT 136 hp (9.4 s, top speed not measured), 1.9 MT 150 hp (8.8 s, 208 km/h, mixed 5.9) and 1.9 MT 170 hp (8.0 s, top speed not measured). 1 generation instead has a unique 1.9 MT 126 hp whose 0–100, top speed, torque and fuel are all not measured.

If the restyling itself is the goal, you pay 25 kg on the 120 hp 1.6 MT and the 150 hp 2.0 MT / 2.0 TCT for the later catalogue window (to 2010-05-31). If you want those extra Diesel outputs, they exist only under 1 generation, restyling.

Engines and specs

All versions below are FWD. Distinguish identical names by horsepower (and, where needed, by generation).

Gasoline 4-cylinder cars use Distributed injection (multi-point); Diesel injection system is not measured. Engine placement is Front, transverse where measured; it is not measured on 3.2 MT, on most Diesels except 1.9 MT 115 hp, and on the 187 Nm 2.0 DSG. Compression: Gasoline 10.0–10.5; Diesel 18 or 18.5 (the restyle 1.9 MT 120 hp is the 18.0 row). Bore × stroke: 82 × 72.6 or 82 × 72.65 on 1.6; 82 × 90.4 on 1.9; 83 × 91 on 2.0; 93 × 78 on 3.2.

Specific output (hp per litre): 1.9 MT 101 hp is 52.9 hp/L; 1.6 MT 105 hp is 65.7; 1.9 MT 170 hp is 89.0 — the densest engine in the data. 3.2 MT is 78.6 hp/L, almost the same as restyle 1.9 MT 150 hp at 78.5 hp/L, despite 1,269 cc more displacement.

Performance and economy (mpg / L/100 km)

Diesel 0–100 on 1 generation, restyling: 12.1 s (101 hp) → 9.9 (115) → 9.6 (120) → 9.4 (136) → 9.1 (140) → 8.8 (150) → 8.0 (170). From 101 to 170 hp that is 4.1 s quicker. The 115 hp 1.9 MT is already 2.2 s faster than the 101 hp 1.9 MT on the same 1270 kg kerb — the single largest step on the Diesel ladder.

Gasoline: 1.6 MT 105 hp 11.3 s; 1.6 MT 120 hp 10.6 s (0.7 s); 2.0 MT / 2.0 TCT / measured 2.0 DSG 9.3 s; 3.2 MT 6.3 s. The 3.2 MT is 3.0 s quicker than the 150 hp 2.0s and 5.8 s quicker than the 101 hp Diesel.

Matched 150 hp comparison on 1 generation, restyling: Diesel 1.9 MT 150 hp 8.8 s and 305 Nm versus Gasoline 2.0 MT / 2.0 TCT 9.3 s and 181 Nm. The Diesel is 0.5 s faster to 100 km/h with 124 Nm more torque, at the same 208 km/h top speed. Mixed fuel: Diesel 5.9 versus Gasoline 8.9 L/100 km (−3.0 L/100 km). City 8.0 versus 12.1; highway both 4.7 versus 7.0.

3.2 MT mixed 12.1 versus restyle 1.6 MT 120 hp mixed 8.2 is +3.9 L/100 km for the 3.7 s you gain (10.6 → 6.3). Versus the 101 hp 1.9 MT mixed 5.8, the 3.2 MT uses 6.3 L/100 km more for a 5.8 s gain.

1 generation 1.6 MT 105 hp mixed 8.1 / city 11.1 / highway 6.3; restyle 1.6 MT 105 hp fuel not measured. Restyle 1.6 MT 120 hp: 11.2 / 6.4 / 8.2.

Fuel not measured (do not treat as “no consumption”): restyle 1.9 MT 115, 136, 170; 1 generation 1.9 MT 115, 126; one 1 generation 2.0 MT; the 187 Nm 2.0 DSG; restyle 1.6 MT 105; 1 generation 1.6 MT 120 and the second 1.6 MT 105 row.

Dimensions and weight

Ground clearance 120 mm and tank 60 L on every row. Wheel size not measured.

Kerb range: 1190 kg (1.6 MT 105 hp, both generations) to 1290 kg (3.2 MT, restyle 1.9 MT 120 / 150 / 170 hp). Gross: 1710 kg on 1.6 MT 105 hp to 1819 kg on those 1290 kg cars. The 100 kg kerb spread is 8% of the lightest car.

Weight per horsepower (where kerb is measured): 3.2 MT 5.16 kg/hp; restyle 1.9 MT 170 hp 7.59; restyle 1.9 MT 150 hp 8.60; restyle 2.0 MT / 2.0 TCT 8.50; 1 generation 2.0 MT / measured 2.0 DSG 8.33; 1.9 MT 140 hp 9.11; restyle 1.6 MT 120 hp 10.21; 1 generation 1.6 MT 120 hp 10.00; 1.6 MT 105 hp 11.33; 1.9 MT 101 hp 12.57. The 101 hp Diesel carries 2.4 times as many kilograms per horsepower as the 3.2 MT.

Restyle 1.9 MT 120 hp is 1290 kg — 20 kg heavier than restyle 1.6 MT 120 hp (1225 kg) for the same 120 hp, which is why the Diesel still wins 0–100 (9.6 vs 10.6 s): 280 Nm versus 146 Nm.

Kerb not measured: 1 generation 2.0 DSG 187 Nm only (gross still 1770 kg).

Which version to choose

Daily economy, lowest measured fuel. 1.9 MT 101 hp in either generation: mixed 5.8, highway 4.7, city 7.8. It is also the slowest measured 147 (12.1 s, 183 km/h) and the worst kg/hp (12.57). If 12.1 s is acceptable, this is the measured thrift pick.

Best Diesel compromise on the numbers. Restyle 1.9 MT 150 hp: 8.8 s, 208 km/h, 305 Nm, mixed 5.9 — only 0.1 L/100 km above the 101 hp car for 3.3 s and 25 km/h. Versus restyle 1.9 MT 140 hp (same 305 Nm, mixed 5.9, 9.1 s, 206 km/h, 1275 kg) you pay 15 kg and gain 10 hp, 0.3 s and 2 km/h; both are 6-speed Manual. The 140 hp car is the cheapest-looking step onto 305 Nm and a sixth gear.

Fastest Diesel. Restyle 1.9 MT 170 hp: 8.0 s, 170 hp, 7.59 kg/hp, 89.0 hp/L. Torque and top speed and fuel are not measured — you cannot claim a consumption advantage over the 150 hp Diesel from this dataset.

Avoid guessing on incomplete Diesels. 1 generation 1.9 MT 126 hp: 0–100, top speed, torque and fuel not measured. Restyle 1.9 MT 136 hp: 9.4 s is known; top speed, torque and fuel are not. Restyle 1.9 MT 115 hp matches the pre-restyle 115 hp car on 9.9 s / 191 km/h, but fuel remains not measured — unlike the 101 and 120 hp Diesels at mixed 5.8.

Lightest Gasoline city car. 1.6 MT 105 hp, 1190 kg, 11.3 s, 185 km/h. Only 1 generation measures mixed 8.1. The 120 hp 1.6 MT cuts 0.7 s and adds 10 km/h; buy 1 generation if you want the 1200 kg / 148 Nm figures, restyle if you want measured mixed 8.2 and the later production window.

Gasoline 150 hp. 2.0 MT if you want Manual 5; 2.0 TCT (restyle) or 2.0 DSG (1 generation) if you want Robotic 5. Measured 0–100 and top speed are the same 9.3 s / 208 km/h as each other. Prefer 1 generation 2.0 MT / 2.0 DSG at 1250 kg over restyle 1275 kg if mass is the criterion. Do not pick the 187 Nm 2.0 DSG expecting proven acceleration: 0–100 is not measured.

Diesel 150 vs Gasoline 150 (restyle). Same 150 hp and 208 km/h: 1.9 MT 150 hp is 0.5 s quicker, 124 Nm stronger, 3.0 L/100 km lighter on mixed fuel, and 15 kg heavier (1290 vs 1275). The extra displacement is 60 cc the other way (1910 vs 1970). On these numbers the Diesel 150 is the 150 hp buy unless you specifically need Gasoline 95.

Performance. 3.2 MT 250 hp, both generations, identical 6.3 s / 246 km/h / 300 Nm / 12.1 mixed / 1290 kg. Versus restyle 1.9 MT 170 hp it is 1.7 s faster with 80 hp more, same 1290 kg. Versus restyle 1.6 MT 120 hp it more than doubles power (250 vs 120) for 65 kg. Highway 8.6 L/100 km is still 3.9 L above the 101 hp Diesel’s 4.7. There is no AWD 3.2 MT in this data: it is FWD like every other 147 here.

Problems and reliability

No failure rates, service intervals or defect counts are in the data. Reliability is not measured. What is measured and shared by every version: Independent, spring front and rear, Ventilated disc front, Disc rear, 120 mm clearance, 60 L tank, FWD. Eco class and CO2 are not measured, so emissions-based ownership rules cannot be read from this catalogue.

Prices are not in the data; “what the extra money buys” here means what the extra horsepower, gears and kilograms buy on the stopwatch and the fuel sheet: 69 hp from 101 to 170 on restyle 1.9 MT buys 4.1 s; 130 hp from restyle 1.6 MT 120 to 3.2 MT buys 4.3 s and costs 3.9 L/100 km mixed versus that 1.6; 25 kg is what the restyling adds to the 120 hp 1.6 and the 150 hp 2.0 without changing their 0–100 times.