Motoring News

The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione has been named the best series production car of 2006 at the Car Design News awards.

Some 73 per cent of voters placed the car in the top three in its category.

It’s "elegance and front-engined proportions" were the aspects given the credit for the car beating off competition from the Audi R8, which had 71 per cent of voters giving it a top three place, and the Ferrari 599GTB, which received a 47 per cent vote.

The car’s styling, which was overseen by Wolfgang Egger, head of Alfa Romeo design, is inspired by several classic Alfa sports racing cars.

A concept car was also recognised at the Car Design News awards – the Saab Aero X, which received 82 per cent of the vote.

Commenting on the car, Brett Patterson, editorial director of Car Design News, said: "With its classic sports car proportions, innovative detailing and dramatic single piece canopy that seduced so many at its Geneva debut last March, the Aero X is the ultimate concept car of 2006."

The publication claims that its accolades are "the most qualified award within the car design world", owing to its international readership, which includes more car designers than any other media.