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Major car brand forced to make design change with new road law to be introduced – ending 70-year tradition
This isn't the first time the company has clashed with lawmakers
A MAJOR car brand has been forced to make a significant design change - ending a 70-year tradition.
The firm will have to rearrange the front end of its new models thanks to new pedestrian safety laws drawn up by the EU.
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The bloc is introducing a new set of regulations designed to better protect anyone who is hit by a car.
But the small print means big change for Alfa Romeo, where designers have found themselves scrambling to relocate number plates on the brand's motors.
Way back in 1955, the beloved Italian manufacturer began a tradition of having its plates off-centre, usually set out to the right-hand side.
This began with the iconic Giulietta Spider and continues to this day with the latest Giulia, Tonale and Stelvio models.
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The idea is to allow more room for the sleek triangular grille that has become a staple of Alfas down the years.
Now though, the rules have forced design teams to overhaul the front end to accommodate a centrally-mounted plate.
Their solution has been unveiled in the form of the new Junior electric SUV.
The car features a deeper front with the grille raised higher and the plate set right along the bottom edge of the bumper.
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Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, head of design for Alfa, told : "We cannot put the number plate on the side any more because of the homologation regulations for pedestrian [safety]."
He also confirmed that the change would apply to the upcoming electric replacements for the Giulia and the Stelvio.
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The latter is set to debut next year, with the former following in 2026.
How the fresh design applies to the traditionally more streamlined models in the range is yet to be seen, with the Junior providing a little more space to fit the plate into than most.
Mesonero-Romanos confirmed that the new cars would feature a "fresh interpretation" of the grille but would not be drawn on exactly how it would be changed.
He added: "Some die-hard Alfisti, who think an Alfa Romeo isn’t an Alfa Romeo unless it has the numberplate on the side won’t be happy, but there are plenty of beautiful Alfa Romeos in history which have the number plate in the middle.
" I own an Alfetta and a 1968 Giulia which have a central plate and look beautiful.
"This will allow us to have symmetry anyway, so I am happy - I’m one of the guys who likes the plate in the middle."
It comes after Alfa was ordered to change the original name of the Junior following a heated row with the Italian government.
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