Thanks to Fiat of Albuquerque, New Mexico has enjoyed a taste of Italian culture of the automotive kind for several years now. The snappy, colorful Fiat has dotted our roadways since 2012, attracting car buyers with its winning combination of smart Italian design and outstanding fuel economy, and offering countless motorists the opportunity to drive like an Italian.

Now, with its Italian presence firmly established in the Land of Enchantment, Fiat has invited its automotive paisano, Alfa Romeo, to share its New Mexico residence at 5700 San Mateo Blvd NE in Albuquerque and to take the drive-like-an-Italianexperience to a whole new level.

And what level is that? This, from encyclopedia.com, sums it up:  Alfa Romeos are not made for people who believe driving is boring and see cars only as a means of getting from A to B. They are built to transcend the essential and enter the realm of emotion. They embody aesthetic taste, a passion for sophisticated engineering, the pleasure of sitting behind a driving wheel and the desire to express one’s own personality. It’s truly an Italian concept — an element of Italian culture and a part of the Italian DNA. Italians love their supercars, not only for their speed and performance, but also for their aesthetics. They value how their Alfa supercar makes them feel.

That Alfa concept is not new to New Mexico. In fact, there has been an Alfa Owners Club (AOCNM) here since 1986 . . . and still going strong with regular monthly meetings, special events, tours and Alfa Romeo exhibitions; all aimed to encourage the preservation, ownership and operation of Alfa Romeo motorcars.

The automotive entrepreneur behind the bold and exciting move to bring Alfa Romeo to New Mexico is Pat Melloy. Pat’s family has been in the car business here since 1955. On February 28, he’ll officially introduce the lengendary line of high-performance Alfa Romeos. The 4C Coupe and the 4C Spider have been turning heads at the Albuquerque dealership for many months. But now that several models of the long-awaited Alfa Romeo Giulia premium sports sedan have arrived from Milano, the Alfa motorcar family is complete, and ready for a special celebration.

It’s true. Where the Alfa is concerned, the appeal is to a niche market of sports car enthusiasts who crave an exotic driving experience. The Coupe and the Spider range in price from $55,000 to $73,000. “These are cars that you take out for fun on a weekend and then put them back in the garage,” Pat said in an interview last year.

But the Giulia may just go a step beyond that niche market.  It’s more of a family car, a sedan. And while it offers 280hp and a top speed of 149mph, it starts at a more affordable $37,995.

Even if you’re not in the market for an Alfa Romeo, a social visit toAlfa Romeo of Albuquerque is well worth your while to witness and celebrate a slice of Italian automotive history being made here in New Mexico.

You’re invited to the launch party on Tuesday, February 28 from 5:30 to 7:30 at 5700 San Mateo, NE.

Meet Italian Car Guy, Pat Melloy, who is obviously having fun bringing a special share of Italian culture to New Mexico with the opportunity to drive like an Italian.