Why do enthusiasts get so excited at the thought of an Alfa? The rich motorsport heritage? The gorgeous Italian styling? Sure, both are useful in the fight against German rivals, but the firm's real selling point is its engines and its V6 range-topper are the world's finest! So when Alfa was working on a GTA version of its 147 hatch, we wondered how it would find an engine with the right credentials. To take on rivals at the time like the Ford's Focus RS, it would need at least 200bhp, none of the firm's four-pots were up to the task. Surely it wouldn't dare to try to cram in the bigger 156 GTA's 250bhp V6? That would just be ridiculous... We are still barely able to believe it as we stare under the bonnet of this greatest - 147. The 3.2-litre 24-valver looks good even when it's not running, with its chrome pipes and red lettering. But the beauty isn't only skin deep - 300Nm of torque from 4, 800rpm is a good start, and no other hot hatch at the time could claim such power. Start it up and the playful burble at tickover soon becomes a tuneful symphony. Alfa said the 147 GTA is the fastest car in its class, and with a potential 0-60mph time of 6.1 seconds and top speed of 150mph-plus, who are we to argue. To cope with the power, engineers have reworked the dynamics, with upgraded suspension all round. But even the lowered ride height gives none of the bone-jarring ride quality which af-flicts so many hot hatches. To Alfa buyers, the GTA's looks are just as important as the performance. Huge 17-inch alloys fill the beefier wheelarches, and there are sharper-creased flanks and additional sill skirts, too. Deeper front and rear bumpers are dominated by gaping air vents, while topping off the visual feast is the 147's trademark fang-shaped grille, flanked by additional intakes. Other modifications include clear indicator lenses, twin tailpipes. For more information about this superb example please contact one of the team who will be happy to help