Performance Review: Alfa-Romeo 147 TS Selespeed - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Alfa-Romeo 147 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Alfa-Romeo 147 TS Selespeed is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.This particular Alfa-Romeo 147 has a 1970cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 147 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. 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 1250 kgs (2755 lbs) this makes the Alfa-Romeo 147 TS Selespeed in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The Alfa-Romeo 147 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1970cc 16V St4 engine produces 148 bhp (110 kW) @ 6300 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 133 lb-ft (180.3 Nm) @ 3800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (148 lb-ft) or the 2013 Caterham 7 485 2.0L (152 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 2003 Chevrolet Silverado SS 6.0 (143.3 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 118.4 bhp per ton and 106.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 147 competing with the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado SS 6.0 (143.3 bhp per ton) or the 1999 Ford Mondeo ST200 (143.2 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 106.4 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 1961 Triumph TR4 2.1L (131.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2000 Mitsubishi FTO 2.0 GPX (131.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.8 secs, this made the Alfa-Romeo 147 TS Selespeed as fast as the 1993 Rover 200 216 GTi Coupe (9.50 secs) the 1992 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit II 6.8 V8 (9.50 secs) the 1978 Mazda RX7 SA22C (9.50 secs) the or the 1957 Mercedes SL Class 300SL Roadster W198 (9.50 secs). This Alfa-Romeo 147 TS Selespeed is also faster than the 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 HDi 110 (9.60 secs) the 2008 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (9.60 secs) the 2003 Skoda Fabia 1.9 vRS 130bhp (9.60 secs) the and the 1993 Bentley Brooklands 4d (9.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 147 and the 1989 Lotus Elan SE

When talking about the performance of the Alfa-Romeo 147 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.38 secs @ 83.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1989 Lotus Elan SE (16.31 secs), the 2005 Cadillac STS 4.6 V8 Sport Luxury (16.31 secs), and the 1986 BMW 3 Series M3 E30 (16.34 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2001 version of the Alfa-Romeo 147 TS Selespeed has a maximum speed of 129mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 147 equals the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (140 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2001 Alfa-Romeo 147 TS Selespeed then how about the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (140 mph), the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (140 mph), or the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (140 mph).

Related Links:

2001 147 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Alfa-Romeo

Car Comparison