Alfa 147 5-door soon
Alfa Romeo Ireland will be launching it sometime next month, and are hoping for conquest sales against the Ford Mondeo and Renault Laguna II.
Though prices have not yet been provided, Irish journalists were told at the launch of the 3-door that the cinque-ported version would probably be around £600 more than the one we've had up to now.
It will be available with 1.6- and 2-litre engines, with a Selespeed auto/manual option gearbox, and aircon is to be standard on all. A 1.9-litre JTD turbodiesel will also be available.
The fun-to-drive 3-door 147s are not that noticeable on Ireland's roads, though with a large order backlog in Europe it might be difficult for the importers to get sufficient supplies. And in Naples last year Alfa Romeo Ireland's Nicola Greco said the 5-door would be the best seller.
His forecast of conquest sales may be based on the success of the 156 in that department in Ireland ... some 87% of the distinctive, and most successful, Alfa models buyers in Ireland have come from other marques.
Not so successful in Ireland has been the 'Sportwagon' version. Not surprising, really, as estates by any name are a low priority in Irish car sales. In other, more developed markets, they have become a 'lifestyle statement'.
"In two or three years, that will be the position in Ireland," says Nicola Greco.