Performance Review: Alfa-Romeo 147 GTA - [2002]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Alfa-Romeo 147 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Alfa-Romeo 147 GTA is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2002. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12 and the 2002 Pagani Zonda C12 S 7.3.This particular Alfa-Romeo 147 has a 3179cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The 147 shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 147's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1360 kgs (2998 lbs) this makes the Alfa-Romeo 147 GTA in the same weight category as the 2022 Koenigsegg CC850 4.9 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Alfa-Romeo 147 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 3179cc 24V V6 engine produces 246 bhp (183 kW) @ 6200 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 221 lb-ft (299.6 Nm) @ 4800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Alfa-Romeo 147 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt 4.6 V8 (205.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Alfa-Romeo 147.

The Alfa-Romeo 147 has a Power to weight ratio of 180.8 bhp per ton and 162.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2002 147 competing with the 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt 4.6 V8 (205.8 bhp per ton) or the 1969 Lamborghini Espada S II (205.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Alfa-Romeo 147 generating around 162.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2015 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.8 Turbo (187.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2005 Lotus Exige 240 R (187.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.3 secs, this made the Alfa-Romeo 147 GTA as fast as the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the or the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTI 2.0 Turbo DSG (6.10 secs). This Alfa-Romeo 147 GTA is also faster than the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the and the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 147 and the 1993 Aston-Martin DB7 3.2 V6

When talking about the performance of the Alfa-Romeo 147 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.2 secs @ 96.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Aston-Martin DB7 3.2 V6 (14.14 secs), the 1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth (14.14 secs), and the 2001 Seat Ibiza 1.8 Cupra R 20vt (14.14 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2002 version of the Alfa-Romeo 147 GTA has a maximum speed of 146mph.

Top Speed of the 2002 147 equals the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2002 Alfa-Romeo 147 GTA then how about the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph), the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 360 (157 mph), or the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 320 (157 mph).

Related Links:

2002 147 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Alfa-Romeo

Car Comparison