Spider catches motor award

THE new Alfa Spider, which made its international public debut at the recent Geneva International Motor Show, has already collected its first award.The Spider was voted Cabrio of the Year 2006 by a 23-strong panel of leading motoring writers from 12 countries across Europe.To be eligible for the award, cars had to be presented for the first time at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, and could not cost more than 60,000 Swiss Francs.This is the second time that a Fiat Auto product has won the award: in 1995 the title went to the Fiat Barchetta.The award was presented on Wednesday, March 1, by Luc Argand, Chairman of the Geneva International Motor Show, on the Alfa Romeo stand.It was accepted by Alfa Romeo Brand Manager, Antonio Baravalle, who acknowledged its importance.“It’s important because it recognises our brand’s intention to remain a contender in the convertible sector,” he said.“This type of car has always been important for Alfa Romeo, accounting for some of the most beautiful cars ever produced, from the Giulietta Spider in the 1950s, to the Duetto, and the Spider launched in the 1990s.“And today it is the turn of the new Alfa Spider, which has the essentially simple character of a true sports car, combined with the technological superiority of the new Alfa breed.”Tags: fiat cars