ALFA ROMEO 147 GTA 2003-2005 Photos, engines & full specs

The GTA badge had a long history in the Alfa Romeo family, and it was always installed on performance vehicles. The 147 was no exception.

The hot-hatch era was at its peak at the beginning of the 2000s when Alfa Romeo decided to enter the segment with a special version of the 147 range. The Italians were already known for their ability to tweak an otherwise bland car into a track-weapon. The 147 GTA was no exception.

From the outside, the GTA version was almost like a factory sleeper. There was a small detail at the front bumper, where the apron received an aggressive styling that could warn a trained eye. The specific light-alloy wheels were designed especially for the GTA version. But then again, both were available as parts in the Alfa Romeo catalog. A dual exhaust in the back was subtle enough to pass unnoticed.

The interior was not significantly different than the regular 147. But the bucket-seats in the front and leather upholstery were superior to those found on the base model. A set of aluminum pedals and a tachometer marked up to 8.000 rpm showed something more about the car.

Under the hood, there was a racing heart: a V6 unit that offered 250 Italian horses. That was no joke, and the 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) confirmed the status of a real hot-hatch. It provided power and torque on the entire range, and the lack of any turbo-lag made the car fight against the finest sports cars in its class.