When it comes to building great sports cars, Alfa Romeo knows a thing or two – just look at the stunning 8C Competizione we drove a few weeks ago.
Yet it’s a different story with hot hatches – the Italian firm has struggled to hit the target for many years. It hasn’t topped the class with a car that’s truly brilliant to drive since the classic Alfasud of the Seventies. But could that be about to change?
With the 147 Q2 Sport, company bosses hope that Alfa fans will have something to cheer about. Thanks to a new limited-slip differential and sports suspension, the newcomer is said to be the best driver’s car the firm has yet launched in this sector. Combined with the powerful 150bhp 1.9 JTD powerplant, it also promises a decent turn of speed.
However, the Q2 is entering an extremely competitive market. In particular, it has to overcome the all-round abilities of the VW Golf GT TDI 140 and Seat’s Leon FR TDI 170. So are the tweaks enough to make the 147 a contender for class honours? Externally, little has changed on the Alfa. And that’s no bad thing, as it remains an individual and stylish piece of design. Even the five-door looks sporty, thanks to its nose-down stance and rear door handles hidden in the window frames.
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