The name Alfa Romeo is derived from A.L.F.A.which comes from ‘Anonima Lombarda Fabricca Automobili’ with the second part attributed to Neapolitan entrepreneur Nicola Romeo who ran the company after a takeover in August 1915.

The charismatic Italian brand, which belongs to the Fiat Group, has built its reputation in motor sport.

In fact, it is safe to say that it Alfa Romeo has always been involved with motor racing. In the 1920s and 30s Alfa Romeo scored wins at many of the most famous and prestigious races and motoring events such as Targa Florio, Mille Miglia and Le Mans. Great success continued with Formula One, Prototypes, Touring and Fast Touring.

An Alfa Romeo is known to be a car that marries modern look with vintage styling in a subtle, elegant look. It can be argued that the brand has lost some of its sheen but it is still makes cars out of the ordinary.

Driving an Alfa Romeo with its iconic badge gets people the glances which are usually reserved for superstars – you know you are riding a popular wave when you ride a car this well known.

The new 147 and 149 with the very impressive Brera in its two bodystyles, the Spyder and the coupe have all added to the Alfa Romeo range. The car maker has now also made its foray into small fashion as well as top of range cars with the Mito.

Indeed, buying an Alfa Romeo is becoming more and more accessible these days for most people due to attractive discount prices offered by dealers, including offers of leasing and the newly-introduced £2000 scrappage discount.

GREEN CREDENTIALS

Alfa is also focusing its research on the reduction of weight, development of increasingly efficient engines to reduce the emissions of its cars and the improvement of aerodynamics to reduce drag (which affects fuel consumption).

Past environmental efforts have included the introduction of high performance common rail diesel engines to sporting models that were once the sole preserve of petrol engines.

Alfa Romeo cars are now seeing the inclusion of Fiat’s Uniair electro-hydraulic engine valve-train system, which reduces carbon dioxide output by up to 40 per cent and nitrogen oxide output by 50 per cent.