Alfa to use 147 for WTCC

**touringlegend** · 1 Jul 2005, 16:21 (Ref:1344834)

Autosport says that Alfa Romeo will switch to the 147 model next year, as the company does not want the new 159 to be portrayed as "sporty".

We've had a slight discussion on hatchbacks before, is this the way we really want Touring Car racing to go ?

Kicking-back · 1 Jul 2005, 16:22 (Ref:1344837)

It doesn't really matter what we want, sadly!

Hatchbacks are the most popular type of car, particularly with younger owners, so that's what manufacturers want to promote.

The DTM, which uses cars which are more expensive to buy the road equivalents of, targets the more well-heeled buyer, with saloons.

kmchow · 1 Jul 2005, 16:31 (Ref:1344842)

Quote:

Originally Posted by touringlegend

Autosport says that Alfa Romeo will switch to the 147 model next year, as the company does not want the new 159 to be portrayed as "sporty".

We've had a slight discussion on hatchbacks before, is this the way we really want Touring Car racing to go ?

I was afraid of this. Touring cars are gonna get less appealing to me. Sighhh....

It's all Honda's fault for pushing the WTCC organizers to allow the Civic Type R and Focus hatchback to race in the WTCC.

maximus · 1 Jul 2005, 16:50 (Ref:1344855)

Yes but Saloons are much less popular these days, and Hatchbacks are much more popular. I understand the need to promote hatchbacks rather than saloons.

429CJ · 1 Jul 2005, 17:20 (Ref:1344874)

Quote:

Originally Posted by touringlegend

Autosport says that Alfa Romeo will switch to the 147 model next year

Why not use GT, that's surely sporty car on Alfa Romeo range.

Well, to be honest, the 147 Challenge car does not look bad.

zizzo · 1 Jul 2005, 19:02 (Ref:1344938)

Here in Italy we knew about this possibility nearly one month ago, and Alfa should make his final decision in this days

The matter is that FIAT Group (it comprehends Alfa, Maserati, Fiat and Ferrari) is in trouble, and they don't have so much money to spend. The prioritary project for them is a comeback into the World Rally Championship with the new Punto, all the other things are secondary.

More, the new Chairman of Alfa and Maserati, Karl Heinz Kalbfell, doesn't love WTCC, he loves GT and endurance, so he doesn't want Alfa to spend too much money on the S2000 program. Using the 159 meaned starting from scratch, while the 147 is more similar to the 156 in the suspensions and many other particulars, so using it would be cheaper.

It's all about the money

alfan · 1 Jul 2005, 19:10 (Ref:1344946)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 429CJ

Why not use GT, that's surely sporty car on Alfa Romeo range.

Not enough doors

Sad news, 147 Cup is lovely, but still...there is only one kind of proper touring cars..saloons !

On the other hand, I was afraid about 159 performance. It's much bigger and heavier then 156...

429CJ · 1 Jul 2005, 22:19 (Ref:1345048)

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfan

Not enough doors

As many as Civic Type R...

**touringlegend** · 1 Jul 2005, 22:54 (Ref:1345065)

They were given special permission, as I believe the understanding was there would be an Accord the next season.

alfasud · 1 Jul 2005, 23:22 (Ref:1345075)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 429CJ

Why not use GT, that's surely sporty car on Alfa Romeo range.

While I personally think the Alfa GT has enough doors... there might be a question about room for rear seat passengers.

With the 159 being a larger car... the 147 could make sense. Maybe they have also done there market research and found that the typical 147/Focus/Golf buyer is more likely to influenced by motorsport success than the buyers of cars in the 159 class?

Sodemo · 2 Jul 2005, 01:12 (Ref:1345100)

Oh no, one of the best looking touring cars is going to be scrapped for that 147 monstrosity...

Hatchbacks do not belong in touring car racing in my view, don't like it one bit.

alfasud · 2 Jul 2005, 02:06 (Ref:1345111)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monster

Oh no, one of the best looking touring cars is going to be scrapped for that 147 monstrosity...

Hatchbacks do not belong in touring car racing in my view, don't like it one bit.

Like the 156 myself, but the 156 is an old model soon to be replaced by the 159. No point in promoting an old model.

If you are going to have a touring car class limited to 2L engines, it's inevitable that manufacturers will want to enter 2 door cars and/or hatchbacks.

E46 · 2 Jul 2005, 09:14 (Ref:1345290)

Will run BMW the new 320 E90 or perhaps 120?

I like Alfa Romeo 147 but like people says above prefer a saloon car. A clone grid with too hatchbacks.... hummm.

**touringlegend** · 2 Jul 2005, 10:19 (Ref:1345311)

The article also said that BMW are at the track testing stage of the 320 E90...

Alfa Fan · 2 Jul 2005, 10:25 (Ref:1345314)

147s the best looking hatchback out there IMO. I don't see why so many people think hatchbacks look out of place in the WTCC? Touring car racing has always been about cars that you see on the streets on a daily basis.

Back in the 1990s, saloons were very popular, in comparison to hatchbacks. But recently, hatchbacks have made up more and more of the cars on the road.

**FIRE** · 2 Jul 2005, 12:39 (Ref:1345402)

I understand their choice for commercial reasons, but in my opionion a proper touring car is a saloon.

Sodemo · 2 Jul 2005, 15:21 (Ref:1345460)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfa Fan

But recently, hatchbacks have made up more and more of the cars on the road.

Yeah, which is something I hate and can't understand.
I blame the Ford Focus, every other car released now is a Focus clone.

Alfa Fan · 2 Jul 2005, 15:36 (Ref:1345468)

Its Supply and Demand. The car companys wouldn't produce so many hatchbacks if they weren't demanded. So its everyone's "fault" really.

E46 · 4 Jul 2005, 15:10 (Ref:1346938)

Quote:

Originally Posted by touringlegend

The article also said that BMW are at the track testing stage of the 320 E90...

Good new.

runnyhunny · 4 Jul 2005, 17:59 (Ref:1347053)

What's this nonsense about 'proper' touring cars being 4-door saloons? Anyone sticking to that argument must believe touring car racing began in 1991!

Remember the Sierra Cosworth? Nissan Skyline? BMW M3? Heck, what about the Mini?!

Of course, there's also the clear-cut marketing case: most people are driving hatchbacks, MPVs or 4x4 cars these days. Saloon sales must be on the decline. Remember that, for a manufacturer, racing is all about marketing. So why market to your smallest target audience? That's insane.

Having said that, I don't want the BTCC to turn into an MPV/4x4 show, so I'm happy to see some restrictions on body shapes!

BSchneiderFan · 5 Jul 2005, 07:24 (Ref:1347443)

Alfa enter a hatchback and BMW scrap the straight-six. It's all very depressing.

BSTR · 6 Jul 2005, 04:53 (Ref:1348435)

Maybe 147 would be a short term solution. After all 149 is coming very soon. Alfa Romeo Racing can use their knowledge on 156 and make 147 competitive immediately and then develop new 149 or some other model for the next year.

I also think that GT or even Brera would be the sporty car for this kind of racing. I do not understand why you all are so enthusiastic on cars having 4 doors. They just add extra weight. S2000 minimum weight is very hard target for modern saloon cars.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Alfa Romeo in 2006 WTCC or not ?	FIRE	Touring Car Racing	101	27 Dec 2005 11:29
Alfa Romeo 159 and BMW E90 3 Series for 2006 WTCC or not?	alfasud	Touring Car Racing	7	11 Apr 2005 16:32
Alfa V8	Edmonton	Sportscar & GT Racing	13	3 Nov 2004 04:07
Alfa vs BMW	pink69	Touring Car Racing	1	1 Feb 2002 11:01
Alfa 147?	BeerMonster	Road Car Forum	7	1 Feb 2002 01:27