Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

Technical => 932 Series (156, GTV, Spider, 147, GT, and 166) => Topic started by: interested on March 31, 2008, 09:13:16 PM

Title: 147 Fuel consumption, the real story
Post by: interested on March 31, 2008, 09:13:16 PM
Hello, im trying to decide between a vwgti 4th gen and a 147 manual 5 spd 02 onwards. What im really after is what the fuel consumption is like. I have read 12L/100k in city but surely this cant be right can it? what's the 2 litre really like from people that actually drive them.
Title: Re: 147 Fuel consumption, the real story
Post by: interested on April 01, 2008, 04:15:31 PM
fast forum  ??? C,mon 37 views and no one knows how much juice your own car goes through.
Title: Re: 147 Fuel consumption, the real story
Post by: alfagtv58 on April 01, 2008, 05:19:52 PM
Quote from: interested on April 01, 2008, 04:15:31 PM
fast forum  ??? C,mon 37 views and no one knows how much juice your own car goes through.

How to win friends and influence people!!  My car goes through around 15L/100k but I dont drive a 147 so there isn't much point in me responding now is there
Title: Re: 147 Fuel consumption, the real story
Post by: Paul Gulliver on April 01, 2008, 07:02:43 PM
My daily driver is a 2.2 JTS 159 with 30,000 k on the clock. Last year when petrol prices wern't quite an issue i didn't reset the onboard trip computer, Trip A,   for approx 8,000 ks (this covered a mixture of all conditions  but predominately city driving). When i did get around to resetting the computer I was pleasantly suprised the that the fuel consumption had been 10.1 litres per 100 ks. I know on a country trip you can get a lot better than this. On the negative side it is also interesting to observe how thirsty the car is on petrol until it reaches proper operating temparatures.

Not a 147 but i hope it feels.   
Title: Re: 147 Fuel consumption, the real story
Post by: interested on April 01, 2008, 07:06:39 PM
sorry didnt mean to be quite so aggressive, just trying to fire up some responses  ;D

thanks for that Paul the extra info helps
Title: Re: 147 Fuel consumption, the real story
Post by: Robert. Dale on April 01, 2008, 08:47:59 PM
My car is not a 147 but a 156 Twin Spark Selespeed which is supposed to give the same consumpion as a manual. Over the last 2 months I am getting between 9.2 and 9.8 Ltrs per 100Km. This is for a 50/50 mix of Freeway and suburban use.

The consumption for a 156 and 147 should be similar as they use the same engine and weigh about the same.

Regards Rob Dale
Title: Re: 147 Fuel consumption, the real story
Post by: Scott Farquharson on April 01, 2008, 09:19:35 PM
My 156 is closer to 10.5, but i thrash the crap out of it though....
Title: Re: 147 Fuel consumption, the real story
Post by: Alfa_alchemist on April 02, 2008, 05:40:26 PM
Well I have a 156 JTS selespeed and I've been driving it mostly in the city/suburban conditions and I get the fuel consumption of around 11l/100km and thats with normal driving (not going past 5k revs).

The problem I find with this car in regards to fuel consumption is that the engine is so 'revy' and with the short gear ratios you are bound to flick it towards the red line from time to time even if you don't plan to do it.

BTW don't worry about it, alfa 2.0 engines are good with fuel if you can control your right foot.
Anyway most of people tend to lie when it comes to fuel consumption of their car - like some of those commodore guys who brag about how thier 6.0 liter V8 only uses 9.8l per 100km; and then you discover they did those 100km on motorway being constantly in 6th gear at 1600 revs. Of course, they won't mention that time they were stuck in sydney traffic at peak hour and they squeezed the lound pedal a few times and the trip computer showed average consumption of 23l/100km ::) Any car will use alot of fuel when you are stuck in stop/go traffic and you have a heavy foot.
Title: Re: 147 Fuel consumption, the real story
Post by: branko.gt on April 03, 2008, 01:03:10 AM
Quote from: interested on March 31, 2008, 09:13:16 PM
Hello, im trying to decide between a vwgti 4th gen and a 147 manual 5 spd 02 onwards. What im really after is what the fuel consumption is like. I have read 12L/100k in city but surely this cant be right can it? what's the 2 litre really like from people that actually drive them.

You should definitely get yourself a Golf. You will have much less trouble keeping the consumption low. Golf is much easier to drive sedately and keeping the frugal fuel consumption. Particularly the gen4 GTI.  Judging by your other post you don't have great deal of patience so reliable boring car is much better for you from that perspective as well. 

If you find yourself considering the choice between those two cars, and have to ask about the consumption to make up your mind, get yourself a Golf.

I am also sure that the Golf people are much quicker responding on forums, bloody alfa people are always out and about driving their cars. If they were not so bloody minded about their fetish for alfas they would be in front of their computers answering your question about consumption. The truth is they have no idea what it is and they don't really care. Those few that responded are surely telling porkies. 
Title: Re: 147 Fuel consumption, the real story
Post by: Anth73 on April 04, 2008, 04:29:21 PM
I have a 156 with the 2.5V6 and 6 speed manual. This motor is known for it's high rpm performance yet I have no trouble at all dawdling around between 2K and 4K on the tacho. Driven this way I get low 11's l/100km. Driven for enjoyment pushes this up to low 12's and I figure its worth it. Heck, my other car is a 2.5 Subaru and I'd be lucky to see those consumption figures around town, and performance is non-existent.

If you're really worried about fuel consumption go the golf but by all accounts, that era Golf GTI was one by name only!
Title: Re: 147 Fuel consumption, the real story
Post by: Jekyll and Hyde on April 04, 2008, 07:55:50 PM
QuoteIf you're really worried about fuel consumption go the golf but by all accounts, that era Golf GTI was one by name only!

Definitely a slug - my mate has one.  The 1.8T seems to be considerably downtuned from Audi spec, and it really doesn't go much quicker than the 8 valve 2 litre mark 4 he had before that, handling is no different to any other mark 4 golf.
Title: Re: 147 Fuel consumption, the real story
Post by: interested on April 04, 2008, 09:34:08 PM
hmmmm might stay clear of the golfs then
Title: Re: 147 Fuel consumption, the real story
Post by: Paul Gulliver on April 04, 2008, 09:41:02 PM
Here's the definitive answer


Compare Two Vehicles


   2003 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF   2003 ALFA ROMEO 147
   view price   view price
Description   4th Gen MY03 GTi Hatchback 5dr Man 5sp 1.8T   MY2002 Selespeed Twin Spark Hatchback 3dr SA 5sp 2.0i
Prices based on km   80,000 - 130,000   50,000 - 90,000
Trade in   $16,900 - $19,000   $13,200 - $14,900
Private sale   $20,800 - $23,200   $17,000 - $19,100
New Price   $36,990   $41,500
StandardEquipment   8 Speaker Stereo, ABS (Antilock Brakes), Adjustable Steering Col. - Tilt & Reach, Air Cond. - Climate Control, Airbags - Driver & Passenger (Dual), Airbags - Side for 1st Row Occupants (Front), Alarm, Body Colour - Bumpers, CD Player, Central Locking - Remote/Keyless, Cruise Control, Disc Brakes Front Ventilated, Disc Brakes Rear Solid, EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution), Engine Immobiliser, Floor Mats, Fog Lamps - Front, Headlamps - Electric Level Adjustment, Headrests - Integrated 2nd Row, Heat Insulated - Side Windows, Heat Insulated - Windscreen, Intermittent Wipers - Variable, Leather Hand Brake Lever, Leather Steering Wheel, Power Door Mirrors - Heated, Power Steering, Power Windows - Front & Rear, Rear Wiper/Washer, Remote Fuel Lid Release, Sports Seats - 1st Row (Front), Tacho, Trip Computer, Woodgrain - Centre Console, Woodgrain - Gear Knob, Woodgrain - Inserts   8 Speaker Stereo, ABS (Antilock Brakes), Adjustable Steering Col. - Tilt & Reach, Air Cond. - Climate Control Multi-Zone, Airbags - Driver & Passenger (Dual), Airbags - Head for 1st Row Seats (Front), Airbags - Head for 2nd Row Seats, Airbags - Side for 1st Row Occupants (Front), Armrests - Front (Driver & Passenger), Body Colour - Bumpers, CD Player, CD Stacker - 10 disc, Central Locking - Remote/Keyless, Control - Automatic Stability, Control - Traction, Cruise Control, Disc Brakes Front Ventilated, Disc Brakes Rear Solid, EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution), Engine Immobiliser, Fog Lamps - Front, Headrests - Integrated 2nd Row, Independent Rear Suspension, Leather Gear Knob, Leather Steering Wheel, Multi-function Steering Wheel, Power Door Mirrors, Power Steering, Power Windows - Front only, Premium Sound System, Remote Boot/Hatch Release, Seatbelt - Load Limiters 1st Row (Front), Seatbelt - Pretensioners 1st Row (Front), Seatbelts - Lap/Sash for 5 seats, Tacho, Trip Computer
OptionalEquipment   Sunroof - Electric   Paint - Metallic, Sports Seats, Sunroof - Electric
Release Date   6/2003   9/2001
Body Style   Hatchback   Hatchback
Badge   GTi   Selespeed Twin Spark
No. Doors   5   3
Seat Capacity   5   5
Series   4th Gen MY03   MY2002
VIN Number   WVWZZZ1JZ3?######   ZAR937000########
Drive   Front Wheel Drive   Front Wheel Drive
Transmission   5sp Manual   5sp Sports Automatic
Gear Location   Floor   S/Wheel & Floor
Steering   Rack and Pinion   Rack and Pinion
Engine Size   1781cc (1.8)   1970cc (2.0)
No. Cylinders   4   4
Engine Configuration   In-line   In-line
Cam   Double Overhead Cam   DOHC with VVT
Valves/Cylinder   5   4
Compression Ratio   9.5:1   10:1
Engine Cycle   4 Stroke   4 Stroke
Engine Type   Piston   Piston
Engine Location   Front   Front
Engine Number   AGU*#####   AR32310-#######
Engine Code       Twin Spark
Fuel Type   Petrol - Premium ULP   Petrol - Unleaded ULP
RON Rating   95   95
Fuel Capacity   55L   60L
Fuel Consumption Urban   8.5L/100km   9.5L/100km
Fuel Consumption Extra Urban   5.6L/100km   6.8L/100km
Fuel Consumption Combined (ADR 81/01)   8L/100km   12.1L/100km
CO2   192g/km   287g/km
Fuel Delivery   Multi-Point Injection   Multi-Point Injection
Method of Delivery   Electronic   Electronic Sequential
Induction   Turbo intercooled   Aspirated
Power   110kW @ 5700rpm   110kW @ 6300rpm
Torque   210Nm @ 1750rpm-1750rpm   181Nm @ 3800rpm-3800rpm
Acceleration 0-100Km/h   8.5 secs   9.3 secs
Gross Combination Mass   2995kg   3090kg
Kerb Weight   1256kg   1250kg
Tare Mass   1256kg   1242kg
Gross Vehicle Mass   1695kg   1790kg
Towing Braked   1300kg   1300kg
Towing Not Braked   600kg   400kg
Wheel Base   2511mm   2546mm
Length   4149mm   4223mm
Width   1735mm   1729mm
Height   1439mm   1442mm
Track Front   1513mm   1509mm
Track Rear   1494mm   1494mm
Country of origin   GERMANY   ITALY



Title: Re: 147 Fuel consumption, the real story
Post by: Paul Gulliver on April 04, 2008, 09:57:28 PM
Previous post didn't format to well source is

http://www.redbookasiapacific.com/au/vehicle/comparespecs.php?id2=48541&id=107288
Title: Re: 147 Fuel consumption, the real story
Post by: mikz on April 12, 2008, 06:57:30 PM
Just to throw the diesel perspective in here ...  1.9JTD M I have no trouble maintaining 6l/100km over a mix of country/city and freeway driving. Even with stirring the stick a bit and some spirited acceleration on occasion only increases this less than 0.5l/100km. Trouble is that diesel can be anything up to 20% more than unleaded in Australia so you have to weigh the advantages up. Nothing like a hand covered in diesel when filling up with your business suit on and a 9am meeting.
Title: Re: 147 Fuel consumption, the real story
Post by: Jekyll and Hyde on April 12, 2008, 07:29:17 PM
QuoteNothing like a hand covered in diesel when filling up with your business suit on and a 9am meeting.

My dad carries a box of disposable rubber gloves in his TD5 diesel discovery for that reason (the pump always being covered in diesel, that is, not the business suit!).  Looks a bit odd when he's filling up, but hey, beats that slimy diesel feel all over your steering wheel.
Title: Re: 147 Fuel consumption, the real story
Post by: pep105 on April 16, 2008, 12:58:26 AM
Used to own a 2002 147 Twinspark average fuel consumption was around 9.5 - 10 l/100km.

That was running 98 octane - Always flatout

Around town got around 525 kays from a tank so around 11.4L/100km, up to 750 km pure highway driving so consumption dropped to as low as 8 l/100km.

if you want mere transport buy the Golf if you want to have fun buy the 147
Title: Re: 147 Fuel consumption, the real story
Post by: Scott Farquharson on April 16, 2008, 04:53:48 PM
That last post is consistent with my 99 156.