In the battle to conjure up a little charisma for what, after all, are endless variations on the box-onwheels theme, one of the more obvious weapons available to the manufacturer is their choice of name. Some start from the back of the grid in terms of raw materials (when you think about it, how glamorous does 'Bristol' actually sound? Or 'Aston Martin'?), while others cheat the odds by whipping up an aura of mystery from very ordinary beginnings (TVR, for instance, derives from the first name of the legendary sports car's founder Trevor Wilkinson).
Recently, eBayMotors.co.uk asked drivers to list their favourite car names (we motorists really know how to party). Topping the poll were Rolls Royce's 'Phantom', Ford's 'Mustang', Pontiac's 'Firebird' and Corvette's 'Stingray' - animals are obviously a rich source of inspiration. But there was one glaring omission from the list ... Alfa Romeo.
For my money, this is the one moniker that has it all when it comes to instant street kudos. Authentic and exotic in equal measures, it conjures up an image of a bully at a school for budding Casanovas. 'Yes, I am this year's Alpha Romeo ...'
Clearly playing against its macho heritage, however, Alfa's 147 is a quintessentially feminine car. From its graceful curves and agile poise, to its infamous triangular front grille (which looks more like a pair of striped bikini bottoms), the sexy 147 is a motor that will get builders whistling from their scaffolding.
The 147 has been around for afew years now. It was originally launched in the UK in February 2001, and has sold nearly 360,000 worldwide. It has won 27 awards so far, including the European Car of the Year. So, clearly, the 147 is a brand that doesn't need messing with - and the 2005 'revamp' is actually more of a tweak. The front lights now sweep back along the wings, the nose has been remodelled with the addition of a mesh valence and the bonnet has been grooved with a noticeable 'V' to give the car a purposeful, dynamic look.
The sporty mid-size hatchback's two main rivals are VW's Golf and Audi's A3. It is German Lutheranism vs Italian brio. And where the Germans have trumped with their level-headed reliability, the Italian's have plumped for a box of showy tricks and super-sveltestyling. There's the black suede and red piping on the seats and the polished chrome of the engine. There's the fact that the rear doors have no visible handles (they're hidden in the corner of the window) and the the boot lock is similarly disguised beneath a sliding badge. But there's no hiding the 147's silky performance.
Priced from £13,660 to £19,040, the hatchback offers three petrol engines and two diesel engines, plus Turismo and Lusso equipment options. I tested the 1.9 JTD MultiJet which gives a frugal 48 miles per gallon and a startling 0-60mph of just 8.8 seconds - along with all the usual add-ons we now take for granted. But the one extra you're really paying for is the pleasure of saying, 'I drive an Alfa Romeo.'
Braking news
It's an often-heard fact that the sun's harmful rays can't burn you through glass. In fact they can. Bearing in mind that we spend an average of 223 hours a year in the car, be sure to cover up - or invest in laminated glass ...
