Alfa Romeo 147, the 2001 European Car of the Year

The sleek lines and superb handling of the new Alfa Romeo 147, 2001 European Car of the Year, make the heart of motoring editor ALASTAIR SLOANE beat faster.

It's the nose that does it. A classic hooter echoing the grille of the 6C 1500 Villa d'Este of 1949. The rear isn't bad either. Shapely and provocative. So too the car's lines: soft as provolone cheese, smooth as olive oil.

The new Alfa Romeo 147, the 2001 European Car of the Year, landed in Auckland the other day. It made the hearts of those who witnessed the unveiling beat faster. It made the hearts of those who drove it beat faster still.

It is drop-dead gorgeous, far more appealing in the flesh than in photos. It all at once honours Alfa Romeo's rich 90-year history and its exciting future. Some people are saying it is the best Alfa Romeo yet.

"It has proven to be a wake-up call for the entire car industry," said Alfa Romeo's New Zealand general manager, Lawrie Malatios.

"Even at the top end of the market sector in which it competes, it is a true stand-out model.

"The biggest single issue facing us in New Zealand with the 147 is having enough to meet demand.

"Supply is already restricted because of the overwhelming demand in Europe and we expect this to be repeated here."

Alfa Romeo said at the 147's launch in Monte Carlo last October that it would build 88,000 cars in 2001. It upped the numbers to 98,000 when the 147 won Europe's car of the year gong.

It increased them further in December, when it was swamped with orders from Italy alone, and in January settled on an annual run of 120,000 vehicles. The factory is now planning to build 150,000 hatchback 147s for next year.

So what is the Alfa Romeo 147 and why is it getting such good press everywhere it goes?

It is a three- and five-door hatchback sitting on a reworked version of the model 156 chassis, the car that gave Alfa a whole new reputation for quality when it was launched in 1997. The wheelbase of the 147 is shorter than that of the 156.

The front-drive 147 shares its suspension set-up with the 156: double wishbones in the front with MacPherson struts in the rear. But the system has been revised to suit the 147's shorter wheelbase and different weight distribution.

New Zealand models are powered by a four-cylinder 2-litre Twin Spark engine producing 110kw at 6300 rpm and 181Nm of torque at 3800 rpm and mated to either a five-speed manual gearbox or clutchless Selespeed unit.

A brief drive of the three-door manual model revealed an exciting hatchback that plays on Alfa's badge and sporting heritage.

It has plenty of grip, superb poise, strong brakes and sharp rack and pinion steering. It rides on 16-inch wheels, handles and steers with accuracy (2.2 turns from lock-to-lock) and sits on springs and dampers tuned to perfection.

Alfa Romeo says optional 17-inch wheels further improve steering response and roadholding.

Inside, the 147 is just as impressive, mixing brushed aluminium with leather or cloth and instruments with easy-to-use dials. Fit and finish are first class, so is the driving position, unlike earlier Alfas.

Class-leading standard equipment includes air-conditioning with split temperature controls for front-seat occupants, CD player, cruise control, six airbags, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distributor, traction control and vehicle dynamic control, systems designed to help the careless driver from going backwards through a hedge or olive grove.

The three-door is the only 147 available at the moment. The five-door with its flush-fit rear-door handles (identical to the 156) will arrive in about four weeks. New Zealand will be one of the first right-hand-drive markets in the world to get the five-door.

Prices for the 147 are $46,995 for the five-door manual with cloth seats and trim. The five-door manual with leather is $49,995, the Selespeed version of the same car is $53,995. The three-door manual with what Alfa calls sport-leather trim is $49,995; the Selespeed three-door is $53,995.

Alfa Romeo is aiming the 147 at European rivals such as the Audi A3, Volkswagen Golf V5 and BMW 3-Series Compact.

"The 147 opens the door on the next era for Alfa Romeo," said Malatios. "At the same time, it is a clear indication of its future, not just to make Alfa Romeo a full competitor for the likes of BMW and Audi, and those marques with sporting prestige aspirations such as Lexus and Mercedes-Benz, but to actually beat them at their own game."

The Italian carmaker has over the years gone against motoring trends. That has been one of its strengths and one of its weaknesses. But the 147 has stepped into line with the rest of the world on one feature: cupholders. Previously it ignored cupholders. Its attitude was home-grown the Italian way. You want a drink, you stop for it, away from the wheel, where you can relax, splash water on your face, drink coffee, nibble on pizza, stretch and talk a bit: la dolce vita, the sweet life.

The 147 has two cupholders. Alfa is obviously thinking beyond Italy.