Alfa back on track

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), Feb 22, 2008

Byline: By STEVE HUGHES

ALFA Romeo has the distinction of being the fastest-growing car company in the UK during 2007, with sales soaring by more than 40%.

The company says it is confident that this heralds a sustained revival of the sporting Italian marque, which now has a line up that encompasses the Alfa 147 three and five door hatch, the Alfa 159 saloon and Sportwagon, Brera coupe and Spider roadster plus the GT coupe.

The Alfa 147 is a compact alternative to the likes of the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf and Audi A3.

It comes with a choice of 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrol engines plus a 1.9-litre diesel unit with three different power outputs.Prices range from pounds 14,950 to pounds 19,350.

The larger Alfa 159 saloon and Sportwagon models are alternatives to the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz CClass with a range of engines that includes petrol units of 1.8, 2.2 and 3.2 litres plus diesel units of 1.9 and 2.4 litres.

Prices range from pounds 18,550 for the 1.8-litre 130mph saloon to pounds 29,550 for the 3.2-litre V6Q4 Lusso model.

The Brera Coupe is a challenger for the Audi TT and Mazda RX-8 and comes with a choice of 2.2 litre and 3.2 litre petrol engines plus a 2.4-litre diesel alternative that offers a combination of 140mph performance and 40mpg economy.

The Spider is a sleek roadster that rivals Audi's TT roadster and BMW's Z4 with prices ranging from pounds 25,995 for the 2.2-litre petrol version to pounds 31,250 for the 3.2-litre V6 Q4 with the further option of a 2.4-litre oil burner at pounds 28,995.

Then there is the GT Coupe, which offers a 2.0-litre entry-level model costing just pounds 20,400 plus a powerful 3.2- litre V6 version at pounds 26,400 and a 1.9-litre diesel generating 150bhp for a top speed of 130mph with 45mpg economy.

CAPTION(S):

LOOKS GOOD - the Alfa Romeo 147 Sport, an alternative to the Golf and Audi A3; SPORTING MARQUE - Alfa Romeo 159 TI, an alternative to the BMW 3 Series