Bellisima!

Last week the automotive world was abuzz with news of the Alfa Romeo Guilia QV, a new entry into the luxury and sports sedan bracket with a Mercedes-Benz C63 threatening 375kW version to boot. It’s crucial model for the company and aside an engine scrutinized by Ferrari, Phuti Mpyane would rather bask in the glory of the company’s style sense over the last 100 or so years and to step into the enigmatic sounding ‘Meccanica delle emozioni’ pay-off line.

Although not at the fore front of the trendiest of modern day car brands, Italian nameplates have steadfastly remained the beacons of emotive design, style, finesse, exclusivity and in the case of Alfa Romeo, it’s 100 years of distinction.

Today Ferrari has privatized the colour RED while Lamborghini seeks only the attention of brave and wealthy Matadors. It has stolen the thunder right under the feet of Thor.

Maserati continues to define itself as choice steeds to those who seek only the world’s best in ot koo toor (haute couture).
The past week saw the latest art deco piece from the Fiat Style Centre roar its way into the hearts of petrol heads at its world debut. The Mirafiori, Turin based Centro Stile (Style Centre) is arguably one of the world’s prestigious automotive design locations having been responsible for penning some of the most dramatic car shapes which the international public has seen.

Put aside the relationships with the world’s master coach-makers, the Bertones, Giorgetto Guigiaro of Italdesign, Pininfarina, and Zagato who between them are responsible the most memorable shapes of all time, the Centro Stilo is a design virtuoso so rare that every creation it makes begs for a sit down and stare.

The brand new Alfa Romeo Guilia, borrowing a name from an Alfa Romeo from the sixties, is said to be crafted with same passion ignited from 105 years ago. ‘Meccanica delle emozioni’ is said to be the new pay off line for the brand and it’s built on five quintessential pillars of which the three we are most interested in for our ‘Style Friday are: a sense of proportions; simplicity and high quality surface finish. This could very well be an exacting specification for a tailored suit.

Looking through the annals of the company’s history it truly is hard to find an unattractive Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili (ALFA). I think of the Tipo 33-2; the Tipo B Aerodynamica; the 155, 8C of the 30s; the GTV, 6C, Brera, 145, the 8C Competizione, MiTo, 4C, Spider, 166; the list is endless and their beauty indefinable. One can’t help ask if Alfa Romeo designers shouldn’t bottle their inspiration and sell it.

But the new Guilia is an important car beyond looking fresh, purposeful and venomous. According to Fiat Boss Sergio Marchionne it’s a clear sign from all within that Alfa Romeo is back, not only to fill up the numbers but to stand up and be counted.

You may ask how they will achieve this with the Guilia? First by availing super hot technology to the range – the cleverness of Fiat engineers has long been obscured and peeking through its annals are some very nifty inventions and innovations, least of all being the 2-cylinder engine from a decade ago. And by harking back and using its rich experience in racing and by harnessing the exact nuances that made Alfa Romeo top of the pile choice for the discerning during its one hundred years of existence. First they will ensure that virility surges through using a magnetizing road presence by aiming for simplicity infused with sophistication. Then they will use lots of carbon fibre and other weight saving materials to add lightness and then fine tune the chassis and oily bits for a texture that is the genuine article for both sporting ambitions mixed with daily usability. They seek to make drivers feel alive from the entry into the cabin.

Then they will offer it in multiple drive modes; four wheel drive and the classic front steer/rear drive and top it off with the option of either manual or automatic transmissions and then marry it to some new age engines, with the range topping Quadrifoglio Verde (QV) armed with a rip-roaring new turbo petrol V6 breathed upon by Ferrari.

The history of Alfa Romeo is both illustrious as it is captivating. It’s a long tale about thousands of people, French nationals, dapper suits, Italian Military hardware, a woman by the name of Nicola Romeo, motor racing accolades, Benito Mussolini, and one Enzo Ferrari who used to be under the employ of Alfa Corse in 1929, a decade before he started Scuderia Ferrari.

Legend says it was Enzo who angered Ferrucio Lamborghini into building his own, reliable super car and if indeed this is true then we should be in awe of not only the exquisite shapes Alfa Romeo has gifted the world but also the magnitude of its influence on the world’s sporting car business till this day.

The new Alfa Romeo Guilia will likely appear on SA shores before the end of 2015.