With the recent introduction of the 237-horsepower VW Golf R32 and other current pocket rockets such as the Honda Integra Type-R and Ford Focus RS, Alfa Romeo has answered with the 147 GTA. The 147 GTA's 3.2-liter 24-valve V-6 engine—borrowed from the 156 GTA sedan—produces 250 naturally aspirated horsepower. Riding on 225/45-R17 tires, the 147 GTA features electronic brake distribution, vehicle dynamic control, and traction control.
Alfa Romeo 147: 2000 Paris Motor Show
Alfa Romeo continues to build some of the best-looking and most charismatic cars on earth. This new hatch (which actually debuted in Turin) will probably not make the swim to our shores when the marque returns in 2004, but cars like it will. Profitability will come hard for this one, which is essentially a shortened 156 with only minimal decontenting, but it will have to sell for considerably less money.
