Smart Alfa - the United Kingdom's leading independent Alfa Romeo retailer - has joined the growing iPod revolution. From November 2005 all their new Alfa Romeo 147 petrol and diesel models have the option of being equipped with this latest "must have" lifestyle accessory, and at no extra cost.

Launched almost exactly four years ago (on 23rd October 2001) the Apple iPod has quite simply revolutionised the way we listen to music while we are on the move. This very compact, highly portable device is able to store up to 15,000 tunes in an electronic format which means they can be easily managed and listened to. Millions of iPods have already been sold, with millions of consumers quick to utilise this new technology to maximise and carefully organise their recreation time, while the latest-generation versions can also show photographic slideshows and play flash files.

Several leading car manufacturers have now incorporated the iPod into their in-car entertainment systems, with Alfa Romeo being swift to grasp the potential. Alfa Romeo is a brand name that truly embodies the sense of values that the typical iPod user demands: a strong sense of freedom and individuality, coupled to an active, pacy lifestyle, and of course distinct fashionability - cars that bear the legendary coat of arms of the world's style capital, the City of Milan, have been firmly at the cutting-edge of automobile design for almost a century now. "The iPod is a superb accessory for the Alfa 147, an excellent product fit," comments Smart Alfa's Ned Kirkham, "with the thousands of tracks it can store and play, coupled with its very easy use, it immediately does away with the need to be forever fiddling around and loading up the highly-limited traditional cd interchanger."

The Smart Alfa iPod integrated in-car kit is a genuine factory accessory that is supplied with a dedicated tray that neatly fits into the centre console to provide for optimum ease of use. All the Alfa 147 models that Smart Alfa sell now come with the option of having this kit as part of the package, ready to use, and at no extra charge. Smart Alfa's long-standing philosophy is to source and sell new Alfa Romeo models at the very best possible price, passing straight onto their customers the maximum possible discount, thus making the experience of owning an Alfa Romeo available to as many English car drivers as possible. "We never ever compromise on keeping prices as low as possible," adds Ned, "but if we can improve the overall package, within these guidelines we will. We have been able add two new offers to our existing pricing structure, namely fitting our Alfa 147s with iPod kits, or the option of five hundred pounds cashback."

For Smart Alfa, the new Alfa 147 model proving to be just as popular as it ever has been. The recent internal and external makeover for the former ‘European Car of the Year’ award-winning hatchback has seen subtle all-round improvements being made a car that is still as stylish and vibrant as it ever was. The new Alfa 147 guarantees thrilling performance with a touch of Italian flair that makes it a car with unmistakable styling: well-proportioned yet muscular. Compared to the previous model, the New Alfa 147s looks have been updated inside and out. It is also now bigger, more powerful and with more personality. Improvements to the ride substantially increase comfort levels, while the interior is now much more luxurious. The carefully thought out changes – which extend to every area of the car – widen its already broad appeal even further.
 

Changes include the option of the leading-edge 150 bhp 1.9 JTD 16v M-Jet engine, a brand new robotised gearbox, Comfort suspension, and the most sophisticated safety devices in its class, including VDC, ASR, ABS with EBD and curtain-bags. “The 147 proves to be still as popular as ever, and is now a real genuine alternative for discerning buyers in its segment,” says Ned, who has been selling Alfa Romeos for more than five years now. “While the visual changes are limited - merely serving to carefully enhance what is a stunning design, potential buyers who investigate the new car find that it is very much improved in every department. Many of our regular customers are now trading in their first series 147’s for the new model.”

For example the 150bhp Alfa 147 1.9 JTD – with Comfort Pack, Winter Pack, Leather interior, 17 inch alloy wheels, comfort suspension, and metallic paint - which retails in the UK for £21,080 is offered by Smart Alfa for £14,995 on the road, while the 2.0-litre version with a similar options pack is offered for £15,995 on the road. “All our cars are brand new, built to full UK specification, come with zero miles on the clock, and our customer’s name as the first registered owner,” mentions Ned. “We have a wide range of colours and upper trim levels for the 147, with all models in stock so customers can view individual cars in the flesh, before committing to a purchase. We have expanded our website in recent months and details of all our stock cars can be viewed, together with actual photos of the individual cars as they come into stock.” And of course they now have the no extra cost option of an integrated iPod.