Why you can decide what the latest Alfa Romeo will be called

Alfa Romeo apparently has no inspiration. Because the brand is asking you for help in finding a name for its future SUV. As long as this doesn’t turn into another case of Boaty McBoatface…

Alfa Romeo will launch a compact, electric SUV early next year. The model shares its technology with the Jeep Avenger, the Opel Mokka Electric and the Peugeot e-2008, among others. That means an output of 156 hp, a 54 kWh battery and a range of more than 400 kilometers.

It won’t be Alfa Romeo Brennero

There were rumors that the new Alfa would be called the Brennero, but they weren’t true. The model does not seem to have a name yet, because Alfa Romeo is now asking the public for suggestions.

Project Kid, as Alfa calls the upcoming electric vehicle internally, will launch in early 2024, so it’s somewhat surprising that it doesn’t have a final name just yet.

Share your proposal on social media

Alfa Romeo wants to hear from you what it should be. “Make your voice heard on the official social media channels [van het merk]’ we read in the attached press release.

Will Alfa really listen to your suggestions? No idea. In any case, the manufacturer makes sure not to create an online survey. This is to prevent a Boaty-McBoatface issue.

The English Boaty-McBoatface debacle

In early 2016, the English Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) launched a survey to find a name for its new research vessel. A radio DJ suggested Boaty McBoatface and it was voted on en masse.

Boaty McBoatface became the most popular name for the ship with more than 33 percent of the vote. Other suggestions that had good results were It’s Bloody Cold Here (the ship is intended for research purposes near Antarctica) and Blas de Lezo (the Spanish admiral who defeated the English navy in 1741).

The organization of the online survey removed this last suggestion before the results were announced. Blas de Lezo had already received 38,000 votes.

Ultimately, the NERC ship was named after Sir David Attenborough. As a concession to Internet voters, one of the underwater robots on board was dubbed Boaty McBoatface.

Lock McSluisface, the Lock mother, Irma Lock

In 2020, Rijkswaterstaat asked the public what the new sea lock at IJmuiden should be called. Sluisje McSluisface, the Sluizenmoeder and Irma Sluis (after the sign language interpreter who stood behind Mark Rutte during the Corona press conferences) enjoyed great popularity.

In the end, Rijkswaterstaat opted for the uninspired Zeesluis IJmuiden, which caused some outrage. If you want to make up your own name regardless of the poll results, why are you asking the public? So Alfa, listen to the suggestions!