The first generation released in 2000 was a huge success and the Alfa Romeo 147 was one of the best-looking cars on the market.
However, the car was on sale for five years without any major updates, thus, it was time for a revised model.

In 2005, the Italian carmaker unveiled an excitingly styled Alfa Romeo 147, with design cues takes from the sporty Brera: sharper headlights, a revised bumper with more aggressive intakes, body colored rubbing strips, larger rear lights, a redesigned lower bumper and a redesigned tailgate.

Besides the exterior updates, the new Alfa Romeo 147’s cabin was refreshed with better quality soft-touch materials, as well as redesigned instrument for better reading.

Other updates included a revised suspension designed to provide more comfort, revised damper settings and more driver aids systems such as antilock brakes, brake force distribution and stability control.

In 2005, the Italian producer updated the engines range, offering more powerful diesel units: the 1.9-liter 16-valve unit that previously developed 140 hp was now offering 10 extra ponies, while the other versions of the 1.9-liter unit offered 115, 120 and respectively 170 hp.The gasoline engine offering remained the same.

The engines could be mated with a brand new robotised gearbox, a development of the renowned Selespeed named Easyspeed.

With the Alfa Romeo GTA’s production ceasing in in 2006, the Alfa Romeo 147 remained the most powerful car in Alfa’s range.