Alfa Romeo 159 - Diesel Road test

Alfa Romeo 159

What on earth would make you buy an Alfa Romeo?

The 156, the car that this model replaces, had fingernail-bending rear door handles, an ASBO-standard engine tone and a badge that's obviously shaped to make you think of a woman's front bottom. Surely against a BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 or a Merc C Class, it's a straight case of Germany 3, Italy 0?

Well perhaps for you, Helmut. There is something reassuringly custodial about Germany's efforts, but also something deeply unsurprising and a tad numbing. The new BMW 3 Series collected What Car's best wheels award for this year with all the shock value of a dead beaver falling off a log; what the car industry desperately needs now in the conservative, hum-drum business sector, is a pleasant-but-sharp surprise.

Alfa Romeo turned a big corner with the 156, a model that heralded New Alfa. It bagged European Car of the Year and sent Germany a warning of an imminent slapping. Few slaps connected though: the build quality didn't quite back up the sensational looks and equally wonderful drive. One journalist, with me for the car's introduction, had a gearstick come off in his hand, which does tend to dampen your ardour a touch. Furthermore, status-obsessed customers never found the same level of red-carpet treatment chez Alfa dealers as they might from the rivals.

So the 156 stalled, but it's my bet that this model will finish the job and slot more confidently into the executive car park. It's a car that works on many levels, but let's start with the most important: emotion.

Shameless sensuality is Alfa's USP. Check the 159's furrowed eyebrows, the exaggerated heart- (and, say some, pudenda-) shaped grille. From fender to flanks, it's the perfect synthesis of smooth curves and cutting edges If the Devil has plans to seduce middle England, he's doing it through the pen of Giorgetto Giugiaro.

Although the looks resemble the 156 closely, this is an entirely new model and is remarkably more solid and crafted. Alongside three petrol engines, the diesel choice is between the familiar 1.9-litre JTD (£20,495) with 150bhp and the 2.4-litre JTD (£22,995), delivering 200bhp. Thicker carpet underlay and slightly heavier glass promise to keep engine, road and win noise down and both diesel engines are noticeably quieter than before (which is a shade disappointing if you were expecting that signature growl).