THE ITALIAN JOB

With his first 12 months under his belt at Alfa Romeo, design chief Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos talks strategy, the transition to electric power, SUVs, spiders - and the return of the Kamm-tail

- Chris Rosamond

IT'S been a year since former SEAT and Renault stylist Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos joined Alfa Romeo's Centro Stile design centre in Turin, Italy as design director. Those first 12 months required the development of a new styling strategy for the brand's electric future, oversight of five fresh model programmes, and the assembly of a new design team - all while helping to integrate Alfa's design processes with multiple other brands in the recently formed Stellantis group. He still found time to sit down for a chat.

Q How would you describe the essence of your design strategy for Alfa Romeo?

A We are not touching the pillars of the brand, that's for sure. The only thing we are doing with the strategy is to take it further. First of all we want to be visceral, and if I show a car with no 'wow' effect, it's not the result we want.

So how do we do this? A bold stance is very important. We must have an assertive expression, but it's about character, not aggressiveness. It's also about athletic attitude and sportiness, so we're talking about muscles, about being lithe. Everything has to breathe, and surfaces have to be sensual in a way that is appealing to the senses. Whenever you see an Alfa, you want to confirm with your hands what your eyes are looking at. We have to be bold and sculptural.

Q Is the future revolutionary or evolutionary?