ALFA Romeo has spent millions revising its executive flagship 166 - and every pound has been money well spent.
The new look 166 is a great example of Italian design flair which, with subtle front end changes, has given the car a whole new image.
The largest car in the company's stable now features a much larger Alfa shield grille which bites deep into the front bumper giving a much more purposeful look to the car.
The look is enhanced by two large air intakes set below the bumper and the car now gets the signature offset number plate found on the rest of the Alfa range. New, sleeker design headlight clusters complete the changes to the "face" of the car.
The range starts with the two-litre, 16-valve Twin Spark, moves on to the three-litre, 24-valve V6 with automatic transmission and peaks with the 240 bhp 24-valve 3.2-litre V6.
And it's with the flagship 3.2-litre that Alfa really scores.
A large, executive saloon it might be but it also remains true to Alfa's sporting reputation, making it a superb driver's car and one which puts some fun back into motoring.
With this engine under the bonnet the 166 is delightfully refined. Under normal driving there is barely a hint of noise from the car. But put your foot down hard and you get a superb throaty, very un-executive-like growl from the exhaust.
This is one up-market car a businessman/woman could buy for status and get the added bonus of having something he or she could actually enjoy for its handling and performance.
Derived from the three-litre power plant the larger engine has been developed to deliver smooth power and performance from low speeds.
That means that when you want power this Alfa is never lacking. It really will throw you back in your seat as the revs build. On the other side of the coin it can be as docile as a pussy cat if you just want to amble along.
And that's the nice thing about the 166 Lusso. It has the kind of performance that suits your mood at any given time.
Changes to the double wishbone at the front and the multilink suspension at the rear have achieved a nice balance between roadholding and comfort.
Changes to springs and dampers means less body roll on corners and the handling in general just feels that much tighter and more sporting.
Reducing the body movement has also had the effect of improvement the braking performance - the latest model now coming to a halt from 62 miles per hour in 123ft less than its predecessor.
The power steering is superbly responsive with plenty of feedback, although the turning circle is not that small.
Inside the driver faces a four dial dashboard with both the overlapping rev counter and speedometer of equal size.
The addition of a metal effect centre console improves the cabin by not only forming a contrast with the rest of the dashboard but by making the whole area lighter.
The Lusso comes with electrically adjustable and heated front seats with the Alfa emblem tastefully embossed into them.
I did find that the clutch and brake seem to be positioned closer together than in most cars and I suspect that anyone who takes a large shoe size might have some problems.
That apart I found the 166 Lusso an impressive car all round, and certainly a delight to drive.
FAST FACTS
Alfa Romeo 166 3.2 V6 Lusso
Price: £29,900
Mechanical: 240bhp, 3,179cc, 6cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 152mph
0-62mph: 7.4 secs
Combined mpg: 22.6
Insurance group: 17
CO2 emissions: 297g/km
BiK rating: 35%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles; 8yrs anti-rust; 3yrs paint