Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce

From its offset plate to its unconventional controls, our Alfa's individual charm truly sets it apart

- Richard Browne

Quirky adj. 1 having or characterised by peculiar or unexpected traits or aspects 2 Automotive see: Alfa Romeo.

The Oxford English Dictionary may stop at the first definition in reality, but anyone who's spent time living with an Alfa knows it could easily include the second.

Let's start with that front numberplate, offset to the right as you face the car. The primary reason it's where it is is to preserve the uninterrupted view of the car's distinctive, triangular scudetto grille (that's Italian for 'little shield'). The secondary reason: airflow. The tradition began with the 1955 Giulietta Spider, where placing the plate centrally would have blocked the radiator directly behind its grille, compromising engine cooling. But let's be under no illusion here: Alfa has persisted with this peculiarity for all these years because design is king; it looks cool. And obviously, as a designer, I'm here for that.