This Alfa Romeo special edition is actually genius

Following some extensive research into what parents want from their cars, this is what the great Italian manufacturer has come up with, not only does it have one of the greatest names of all time, it also looks to be a genuinely incredible idea, one that simply has to make production is some form or another.

It looks as though it’s been put together by a team of parents who have just had enough of struggling with their kids while on the road. Some of the additions are genuinely genius.

The big win is at the back, with a built-in baby changing unit – finished in leather I might add – that slides out where you would normally expect the parcel shelf to sit. It’s a brilliant solve for a very real problem, especially if your child is prone to travel sickness.

There’s also an in-car baby monitor, which looks a bit like a webcam on a stick pointed directly into your baby’s face. It’s a bit scary actually, and it looks a touch aftermarket, but it’s an interesting solution to having additional mirrors stuck to the windscreen, or even just adjusting your rear-view mirror to keep an eye on the little one sleeping soundly (or not) in the back.

Elsewhere the Edizione Bambini is generally packed with additional storage for toys, bottles, snacks and all the other paraphernalia you or your child may consider essential for a long journey. For the guaranteed occasion that a box of raisins gets decanted onto the floor, there’s even a vacuum cleaner stowed in the boot which can be charged using the 12V socket.

Thought has also been put towards tackling boredom, with tablet holders in position for kids in the back to sit quietly for hours and hours. This really has covered all bases.

Julie David, Managing Director, Alfa Romeo UK, said: “With so many parents understandably struggling to keep their car tidy, the Tonale Edizione Bambini provides practical solutions which fit in seamlessly with the premium interior in the Tonale – proof that having children doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your car’s style. With a choice of sophisticated hybrid powertrains, a striking design and innovative technology, the Edizione Bambini is further proof that the Tonale is ideally suited to family life.”

There’s a lot to like about this idea. The fact it’s Alfa Romeo that has put this together sheds some light on the kind of audience the brand is looking to target in the future. Is there a tinge of sadness therefore that we may well have properly waved goodbye to Alfa Romeo as the maker of exotic sportscars?