IF you're like me you won't be able to resist Alfa Romeo's sporting pedigree. That's why I believe the new 147 hatchback is just great.

It has been available here in three-door 1.6 engined and two-litre selective automatic versions since February, and the arrival of five-door versions, together with three and five-door 2.0-litre manual transmission cars adds still more versatility.

It's an enthusiast's machine in the finest Alfa Romeo tradition, with some of the most advanced and sophisticated automotive engineering available today.

The heart and joy of every Alfa Romeo is a smooth, big-hearted and responsive engine and there's choice between 16-valve petrol engines at 120 bhp 1.6 litre, and a 150 bhp 2.0 litre with twin counter-rotating balancer shafts, the latter mated to either a Selespeed gearbox with robotised gearshift or a manual 5-speed transmission. Emissions have been cut by about half.

Either give it the integrity to compete head on with regular sporty hatchbacks like the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra and VW Golf. More significantly, it is an elite contender alongside the Audi A3, Volkswagen Golf, the revised BMW 3 Series Compact, and the all-new Mercedes C-Class hatchback.

The beauty of either engine is the free-revving nature and eager responsive power to pressure by the right foot on the accelerator. It lends itself to enthusiastic driving and gives a good account of itself both on the open road and cross country routes, holding a dynamic stance with positive handling and a comfortable ride.

To match the performance potential, hydraulic, power-assisted braking with discs front and rear provide surefire stopping ability. It makes for prompt, consistent braking and shorter stopping distances.

Ventilated front discs are standard. They are of the floating type with automatic caliper adjustment to ensure efficiency, fade resistance, reduced pad wear and smooth operation. Solid discs are used at the rear.

All versions are fitted as standard with an anti-lock braking system, which is one of the most advanced available and incorporates an electronic brake force distributor and sophisticated automatic traction control.

December 10, 2001 16:00