Currently reading: Public christens new Alfa ‘Furiosa’
Poll to decide the name of Alfa’s new supermini ends; Brit's fave name 'Fira'

It looks like Alfa Romeo’s new upmarket supermini, rival to the Mini and forthcoming Audi A1, and potentially the firm’s biggest-selling car, will be called the ‘Furiosa’ when it comes to market next year. The Italian outfit threw open the floor to car-lovers all over the world wide web when it announced an online poll to decide the name of its new small model. That process started earlier this autumn, allowing users from Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Japan and Britain to vote. The vote ended last Friday (16 November).The winning name translates from Italian as ‘mad’ or ‘furious’. It topped the popularity chart in both Alfa’s native Italy and France. In Spain and Japan, ‘Velvetta’ was preferred. Germany’s vote went to ‘Ventura’, while us Brits preferred ‘Fira’. However, having received the most votes across all six territories, ‘Furiosa’ was the overall winner.However, one Fiat Group source advised Autocar that ‘Furiosa’ may not be what appears on the new Alfa’s bootlid next year. In a slight on the nomination process that brought about the shortlist of 12 names on which users voted, he said “it [Furiosa] doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, does it?”“It’s an interesting place to start the discussion about the car’s eventual name,” he went on, “but don’t be surprised if we call the thing something else altogether. No amount of public pressure will force Alfa to choose a name it isn’t totally happy with.”

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Jon Hardcastle 22 November 2007

Re: Public christens new Alfa ‘Furiosa’

The name is irrelevant, just look at the car, thats what people will buy.

By the way, has Haji got anything to say?

Alastair Inglis 20 November 2007

Re: Public christens new Alfa ‘Furiosa’

So in finest tradition defeat is snatched from the jaws of victory.

to me furiosa sounds a bit too much like a Harry Potter spell.

So Alfa Harry Potter it is! At least it'll help explain big round headlights...

Andrew Lee 20 November 2007

Re: Public christens new Alfa ‘Furiosa’

I totally agree! It's cute, nostalgic - and the car seems to have been called this for ages. In Autocar anyway...