It is often said there's no such thing as a free lunch. Perhaps there is, as Alfa Romeo has just launched an updated version of the 147, boasting a range of improvements, that costs less than its predecessor. It's a welcome surprise in an industry where "new" often means the chance to charge more.
New or not, the updated 147 is recognisably its old self. There is subtly different styling front and rear, and the changes combine with the now-standard 17-inch wheels to give the Alfa's cheeky shape a tad more bite. As before, you can have your 147 in either three or five-door form.
Inside, Alfa has updated the instruments, switchgear and materials while retaining the same basic architecture. The 147 has a comfortable, tactile and visually appealing front-seat environment. But in the back, the Alfa remains tighter than rivals such as VW's Tardis-like Golf. As compensation, boot space is up 15 per cent.
Ah yes, the price. The 2.0 Twin Spark three-door manual opens the range at $35,990, a handy $2500 less than the old model and right in the middle of the increasingly heated premium hatch bunfight. Power windows, heated power mirrors, cruise control, climate control, trip computer, CD player with steering-wheel controls, six airbags, ABS and stability/traction control are all part of the deal. Add $1500 for the five-door, plus $3000 for Alfa's sequential-manual Selespeed system.
Under the skin, the 147 retains all the basic mechanicals of its predecessor but with a host of refinements aimed at improving driveability and comfort. The latest car hasn't adopted the deliciously zesty JTS direct-injection four from its 156 sibling, but rather an updated version of the long-lived 2.0 Twin Spark unit.
On the road, it's hard to argue the point. With 110 kW on tap, the Twin Spark matches more contemporary 2.0-litre fours for power, and is still one of the more personable power plants you're likely to drive. There's good pulling power from low revs, a hearty mid-range and a 7000 rpm redline that's there to be used. While it lacks the JTS' smoothness and response up high, many will be hooked by its tractability, throaty soundtrack and all-round charm.
Hooked up to the smooth five-speed manual gearbox, the Twin Spark returns respectable economy. Around town it consumed about 12 L/100 km, dropping into the low sevens on the open road. But direct-injection rivals from Audi, BMW and the 156 JTS are demonstrably more fuel efficient.
The 147's suspension has come in for attention, with Alfa specifying a new "comfort" set-up to better suit Australia's road conditions. Without back-to-back tests, the ride quality difference is hard to quantify, but the 147 cruises with impressive compliance, comfort and low noise levels over most surfaces. Only the worst bumps disturb the calm, but the Alfa never feels brittle or out of its depth.
The steering is well-weighted and impressively precise and the 17-inch rubber's prodigious grip allows drivers to make the most of the swift responses and good balance. There are sharper, more satisfying hatches, notably BMW's rear-drive 1-Series, but the Alfa is capable of keeping its front-wheel-drive rivals honest through the bends.
In the end, the new 147 offers few surprises but Alfa has succeeded in keeping it competitive until the arrival of an all-new model in a few years' time. It's not the sharpest, roomiest or most sophisticated contender in this increasingly talented segment, but the 147's designer cool, enjoyable road manners, immense charm and value are still potent attractions.
