Alfa Romeo "Test Me" campaign

Alfa Romeo’s latest television commercial, entitled ‘Test Me’, will be launched this month in a year-long marketing campaign focused on highlighting the reasons why people should buy or lease an Alfa Romeo car. Alfa Romeo recorded impressive UK sales figures in 2011 and wants to  build on this success with the new advertising campaign.

The marketing initiative  compares the MiTo and Giulietta against their closest competitors to emphasise why you could choose an Alfa Romeo instead of a BMW for example. There is also a dedicated website where you can find further information on the campaign at www.alfaromeo.co.uk/testme. 

Some of the comparisons where Alfa Romeo is offering head-to-head examples against BMW and Volkswagen are as follows:

• The Alfa Giulietta 1.4 TB MultiAir 170 bhp ALFA TCT (semi-automatic transmission) is currently the best-in-class for CO₂ emissions at just 121 g/km against the Volkswagen Golf 1.4 TSI 160 DSG at 139 g/km for example.
• The Alfa MiTo 1.3 JTDM-2 85 bhp Sprint possesses fuel efficiency of up to 80.7 mpg on a combined cycle. The Mini One D achieves 74.3 mpg as a direct comparison model.
• The Alfa Giulietta, with a class leading Euro NCAP crash safety score of 106, is higher than the new  BMW 1 Series score of 103.
• All MiTo and Giulietta models offer 3 years complimentary servicing. This is available at an additional cost on VW Polo and Golf models.

Damien Dally, Head of Brand for Alfa Romeo UK comments: “Customers appreciate the stylish lines and sleek design of an Alfa Romeo, but due to preconceived misconceptions, some turn to our competitors, wrongly believing they offer a better proposition”.

He went on to say, “With the new ‘Test Me’ campaign, we can prove that Alfa Romeo offers customers significantly more than the likes of our key German competitors, together with Alfa’s passion, heritage and design flair inherent in every model.  We also boast class-leading economic credentials such as fuel efficiency and environmental considerations. Our customers are able to drive away in something extra special which possesses the perfect combination of style and substance”.

If you want to compare contract hire prices for Alfa Romeo, against the likes of Audi, BMW or Volkswagen, try our Vehicle Type Shopper and select those manufacturers. This quote engine will then display the monthly lease prices and you can see which models offer the best value for money, as well as CO2 and combined mpg.

Alfa Giulietta with TCT

Alfa Romeo has now added their ALFA TCT semi-automated transmission to the Alfa Giulietta hatchback range. ALFA TCT is now available with either the 1.4 TB MultiAir 170 bhp petrol engine or the 2.0 JTDm-2 170bhp diesel engine.

The ALFA TCT transmission enables the 1.4 TB MultiAir 170bhp Giulietta to reach 0-62mph in just 7.7 seconds, a top speed of 135mph, yet still offers you 54.3 combined mpg and CO2 emissions of just 121g/km which is pretty impressive for a petrol engine car.

The 2.0 JTDm-2 170bhp diesel numbers are 7.9 seconds for the 0-62mph time, 62.8 combined mpg and CO2 emissions of 119g/km. Both cars will go on on sale in Lusso or Veloce trim levels and Alfa Giulietta contract hire prices on these new models are on the site now.

Motor Village Croydon

Fiat Group Automobiles has just opened its doors to Motor Village Croydon which houses four Fiat car brands, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler and Jeep, all under one roof. 

This is one of the first dealerships of its kind and pioneers the way for other showrooms selling multiple car manufacturers at one site. The site is located on Canterbury Road and is an airy, spacious showroom with four distinct areas representing each brand.

Tony Dittli, director, Motor Village Croydon, said,”We started here with Fiat in January and Alfa Romeo came in May. Chrysler and Jeep joined us in July, so it’s continually evolving. We are still developing and learning but I think we have a super showroom site from which to offer quality service and become the reference point for these great brands.

Alfa Romeo MiTo Sprint

Alfa Romeo is the official car supplier to UK Athletics (UKA) and they have joined forces with four of the UK’s top athletes, plus portrait photographer, Fergus Greer, to help raise money and greater awareness for Heart Research UK. Alfa Romeo ambassadors such as Kelly Sotherton (400m), Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (100m), Lisa Dobriskey (1500m) and Iwan Thomas MBE (the former European and Commonwealth 400m champion) stepped into the studio for pictures with an Alfa MiTo Sprint.

The Alfa Romeo brand strap line for the campaign is “Without heart we would be mere machines” and Alfa Romeo is donating £100 to Heart Research for every new red Alfa MiTo sold in August. The Alfa MiTo Sprint is bursting with technology with Alfa Romeo’s unique D.N.A vehicle dynamic control system and Windows Blue&Me Bluetooth hands-free system plus it has the maximum  Euro NCAP crash safety rating of five stars and a range of award-winning engine technology.

Barbara Harpham, National Director of Heart Research UK, commented,” We’re delighted to be working with Alfa Romeo which has shown a whole lot of heart in developing this eye-catching campaign. Heart Research UK helps hearts keep healthy and what better examples are there than our outstanding, talented British athletes? If you thinking of leasing a new Alfa MiTo Sprint then we have Alfa Romeo contract hire prices on the site now

Goodwood Moving Motor Show

There will be a record number of new cars attending the Goodwood Moving Motor Show in two weeks time. The event gets underway on the 30th June, closely followed by the popular Festival of Speed (1-3 July). Goodwood expects more than 175,000 visitors over the four days of the event and if you are thinking of attending this fun packed meeting, here is a sample of some of the cars on show.

There will be public debuts for the Citroen DS4, Morgan 3-Wheeler, Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari, Ford Focus Estate and BMW 1 Series M.

In the Supercar Run you can feast your eyes on the Ferrari FF, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, Pagani Huayra, Jaguar XKR-S, Marussia B1 and B2, Hulme Can Am Spyder, Hennessey Venom GT and the BAC Mono.

In The First Glance interesting performance cars section on show will be the Vauxhall Astra GTC, Honda CR-Z Mugen, Range Rover Evoque and Citroen Survolt concept. Other concepts at the show include the Alfa Romeo 4C and Jaguar CX-75 plus a number of other surprises.

Ticket details, and other information for the 2011 Festival of Speed can be found by calling the Ticket Hotline on 01243 755055 or at the Goodwood website below.

http://www.goodwood.co.uk/motorsport/motorsport.aspx

Alfa Romeo iPad app

Alfa Romeo has launched a free iPad app for its Alfa Romeo publication, Feel magazine. The Official UK Magazine  paper version which is distributed to over 27,000 Alfa Romeo enthusiasts, is now complemented by this online version and is packed with the latest information.

The new app features great photography with 360-degree spinning images, high-definition videos of test drives, sound effects, animations, picture galleries and has been crafted for both portrait and landscape formats.

Damien Dally, head of brand for Alfa Romeo UK said,”The new Alfa Magazine iPad app is highly creative and interactive and is a key part of our integrated editorial content strategy”.

The Alfa magazine iPad app can be downloaded from the following link -

http://itunes.apple.com/uk/app/alfa-romeo-the-official-uk/id435136757?mt=8&ls=1

Alfa MiTo

If you are thinking of leasing an Alfa MiTo, be aware that the new 2011 model year goes on sale in May this year. The Alfa MiTo range has been streamlined from 17 versions to nine, with both Turismo and Lusso trim levels being replaced by the Sprint.

The entry level versions will now be known as Progression and Distinctive and Quadrifoglio versions will replace Veloce and Cloverleaf. Three new engines will be available; a 1.4 8v 78bhp available in the Progression and Sprint with Start&Stop as standard; 1.4 MultiAir 105 bhp (in the Sprint and Distinctive) and a 1.3 JTDM-2 (Sprint only). This latter engine produces 85bhp and CO2 emissions of just 95g/km.

Alfa Giulietta

Alfa Romeo has bucked the new car registrations market in March by recording a 66.35% increase in Alfa Romeo car sales, with the increase led by the new Giulietta. The overall car market was down by 7.9% in March for this key month in the car sales calendar, so this is a remarkable performance.

The manufacturer also reported strong sales for the first quarter of the year with an increase on sales of 60.4% on the previous quarter in 2010. Alfa Romeo has recently introduced some new, stylish and popular models with the MiTo (compact B segment hatchback)  in 2009 and the C segment Alfa Giulietta which offers a class leading Euro NCAP safety rating.

The Giulietta also boasts award winning engine technology, coupe looks with five-door practicality and a superb driving experience and Alfa Romeo contract hire leasing prices are on the site now.

Nissan LEAF rear view

The Nissan LEAF is the first all-electric vehicle to win the coveted 2011 European Car of the Year Award. The Nissan LEAF is the world’s first mass marketed, affordable, zero-emission vehicle and this is the first time in the 47 year history of this award that it has gone to a 100% electric vehicle.

Nissan LEAF

The jury included 57 leading motorist journalists from 23 countries and the Nissan LEAF saw off competition from Alfa Romeo, Citroen , Dacia, Ford, Opel/Vauxhall and Volvo to win top prize. Hakan Matson, President of the Jury, Car of the Year, said, “The jury acknowledged today that the Nissan LEAF is a breakthrough for electric cars. Nissan LEAF is the first EV that can match conventional cars in many respects”.

The Nissan LEAF is powered by a compact electric motor that develops a power output of 109PS and has a maximum speed of 90mph. It comes with regenerative braking, air conditioning, satellite navigation, parking camera and an advanced on-board IT and telematics system.

The car will be available in five colours in Europe namely blue metallic and pearl, white pearl, silver metallic, black solid and red pearl and will be launched in the UK in March 2011.

Nissan has a number of other eco-friendly cars in the pipeline, under the PURE DRIVE label including a petrol-electric hybrid based on the Infiniti and next year also sees the launch of the new Micra which will offer CO2 emissions of just 95g/km.

100 Sexiest Cars

Vicki Butler-Henderson, one of Channel Five’s Fifth Gear presenters, has just launched a new hardback book naming her “100 Sexiest Cars”. Published by Carlton Books the hardback costs just £19.99 and inside you will find Lamborghini, Porsche, Bugatti, Alfa Romeo, Dodge, Ferrari, Lotus and many more models, many of which Vicky has driven.

Vicky was born into a racing family and started racing karts when she was just 12 years old. She holds an International “C” class licence and has raced most types of cars and in 2004 became the first woman to win a Maserati race in the history of the marque. Many of the reasons for inclusion in the book are quite interesting with her wedding limousine, the Maserati Quattroporte being one example.