AN Alfa Romeo diesel seems almost a contradiction in terms.
For anyone familiar with the Alfas of past years with their beautifully tuned petrol engines and that sexy crackling beat and razor sharp handing, the very thought of a diesel knocking away under the bonnet is like opening a gorgeous box of chocolates and finding gravel inside.
Yes, an old fashioned view which went straight out of the window when I got to grips with the latest Alfa, the 147 JTD, which does the impossible - re-creates the old magic in oils.
There are a lot of drivers out there who still connect the diesel with dirty old tractors, belching, grubby railway locomotives and taxis.
But Alfa was one of the first manufacturers to tune in to the fact that diesel was the way forward in the tax-hit but very lucrative business car market.
What this company could not do was stick an old-tech knocker under the bonnet and look the other way.
Enter the common rail high- pressure diesel engine which uses the latest technology to create a diesel the like of which the world has never seen. The 147's second generation 16v power unit accelerates from 0-62mph in 9.1 seconds and can attain 129 mph.
Its combined fuel economy figure is an impressive 47.9 mpg and its CO2 emissions figure is just 157g/km. So in one fell swoop Alfa gives the performance and is making its product tax and environmentally friendly.
But is the car as inspirational as the petrol powered Twin Spark version of Alfa's smallest car?
The answer is yes, but in an interestingly different way. The six-speed gearbox is there to exploit the engine's special power curve. As such it is a vivid performer, nowhere near the V6-engined GTA's standard, but a rapid and superb handing car that well lives up to the old expectations.
If you did not like diesels this one will change your mind. Alfas of the past had the reputation of being electrically tricky but examples of the latest range have been reliable in the extreme.
The only blip with this example was when the highly sensitive burglar alarm came on while the car was moving and would not go off for about ten minutes.
It sounded like a police siren and it is amazing how quickly people get out of the way. Made the drive just that bit more memorable.
FAST FACTS
Alfa Romeo 147 1.9JTD 16v
Price: £16,170
Mechanical: 140bhp, 1,910cc direct injection turbodiesel engine driving front wheels via 6-spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 129mph
0-62mph: 9.1 secs
Combined mpg: 47.9
Insurance group: 13
CO2 emissions: 157g/km
BiK rating: 18%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 8yrs anti-rust; 3yrs paint