As Alfa Romeo makes its long-awaited debut in Peterborough our motoring correspondent Dave Phillips celebrates the Italian job…
Donalds has a long and illustrious history in Peterborough. Their garage in Burghley Road has been a familiar landmark to motorists for over 60 years – best known for the last 28 years as the city’s Mazda specialist.
The runaway recent success of Mazda – with sales at an all-time high and the Mazda 2 voted 
World Car of the Year – would be enough for most folk. But despite having a best-seller on its hands, Donalds has decided to bring some Italian style to the city by adding Alfa Romeo to its portfolio.
It’s a touch of Italy that’s been missing from Peterborough for far too long. But Donalds have put it right. It’s like transporting La Scala Opera House from Milan to Millfield.
Alfa Romeo: two words that mean a lot to lovers of cars. The marque is steeped in romance and history, with a reputation forged on the death-or-glory race tracks of the 1950s and 60s. Designed in Milan and built in Turin, the Alfa Romeo suggests an Italian sassiness that is all too often missing in the ultra-efficient machines produced by its German rivals.
Alfa Romeo is all about romance… and driving with a smile on your face. Models with names like the Alfa Sportwagen, Alfa GT and, of course, the legendary Alfa Spider, tell you that these cars are meant to be loved with passion as deep as the Mediterranean. And driven rather fast. Even the more basic Alfa 147 and 159 variants look strikingly sporty while doing minimum damage to your pocket.
Striking good looks yet affordable: it’s the essence of Italy on four wheels. And now Alfa is here, on our doorstep.
Get down to Donalds, drool over new supercars like the Spider or the exciting (and imminent) MiTo … then try out the practical 159 Sportswagen (on the road for less than £20,000), which has to be the best-looking estate car ever built. Or cut a dash with the three-door 147 for less than £15,000.
The Italians are in town. And I love them.
Discovery 3 has been a best-seller since its launch five years ago and now Land Rover is refreshing its versatile 4x4 with new front and rear body-colour bumpers, wheel arches and revised exterior detailing. New 19-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels style and three new exterior metallic paint colours – Santorini Black, Galway Green and Bourneville (black with a hint of brown) – complete the exterior changes, while interior upgrades include a new Bluetooth system.
It goes on sale in August, priced from £29,950.
Mazda is enjoying record sales in the UK, helped by the vastly-successful Mazda 2 winning the World Car of the Year accolade. With 53,400 new Mazdas sold in this country last year, sales were up six per cent. And with the newly-launched second-generation Mazda 6 now winning plaudits, the company expects more success this year.
Who makes the best engine in the world? BMW is aiming for a fourth successive victory in the International Engine of the Year awards, but this year is up against stiff opposition from Nissan, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Volvo, Audi and Fiat. The results will be announced on May 7.
Ford is launching a new 4x4 in the UK next month. The Kuga boasts a 2.0-litre diesel engine that produces 136bhp yet delivers a creditable (claimed) 44.1mpg. Part-leather seats, six-speed manual transmission and looks akin to a heavyweight Focus should make it a success, with an asking price of £22,500.
A lot of manufacturers have tried to muscle in on the luxury 4x4 niche occupied by Range Rover in recent years – notably BMW, Porsche and VW. Now Subaru is joining the pursuing pack with a new six-cylinder 3.6-litre petrol boxer engine in its Tribeca.
The new engine delivers a mighty 256bhp, yet returns a respectable 20+ mpg (combined cycle). With fuel prices spiraling to record heights, some disgruntled Range Rover owners might just consider an alternative. There is even a factory LPG conversion to make the new vehicle even more economical.
The price tag of the newcomer hasn’t been announced yet, but is expected to come in at around £35,000.