STYLING guru Giorgetto Giugiaro is credited with the remark: 'Alfa Romeo will never go out of fashion".
The celebrated Italian, who personally oversaw the design of the company's latest coupe the Brera, may well be right.
He missed something though. Outside his homeland at least, the public's perception of Alfa has taken a bashing over the years due to concerns over build and reliability.
The Brera puts the record straight. This replacement for the attractive GTV is as cool a coupe as you will see anywhere, a car that really oozes sex appeal.
Wherever you stand this model impresses, whether it be the arrow-shaped front with triple headlights sweeping back, that racy side profile or the pinched rear with its aggressive double tailpipes at each end.
Hop inside and the layout is trademark Alfa, the instrument binnacle housing deeply hooded speedo and rev counter dials with fuel and temperature gauges in the centre console.
There's bags of space up front for driver and passenger with seats that slide well back for six-footers, rake and reach adjustable steering wheel and titanium-effect highlights.
And to nicely top off the sporty theme there's an engine stop/start button.
Less than ideal though are the rear seats. Both have Isofix mountings for child seats, which is just as well because space in the back is severely cramped.
But those needing to carry luggage will be encouraged by the deep boot with ski tunnel leading into the rear, where the seats split and fold 60/40.
Where the Brera also scores impressively is with its build quality. This is a compact yet appreciably heavy car and it feels rock solid throughout.
The acid test for any Alfa Romeo though is in the way it drives, and the Brera really is a cracker.
Three engines are available - a 2.2-litre JTS and fiery 3.2-litre V6 petrol unit, plus the tested 2.4-litre MultiJet diesel.
Alfa was the first carmaker to market with a JTD direct injection diesel when the Alfa 156 was launched in 1997 and in its latest guise this 200bhp five-cylinder unit is the most powerful engine in the Alfa Romeo JTD family.
Mid-range acceleration is instant, the ride firm, handling accuarte and the six-speed gearbox in this model ensures ample flexibility too.
The higher spec SV trim level adds 17-inch alloys, leather interior and stainless steel kickplates to an extensive standard kit that includes seven airbags including driver's knee airbag, six-speaker CD sound system, cruise control, dual zone climate control, electric windows, ABS and rear parking sensor.
FAST FACTS
Alfa Romeo Brera 2.4 JTDM SV 3dr
Price: £26,995
Mechanical: 200bhp, 2,387cc, 5cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 142mph
0-62mph: 8.1 secs
Combined mpg: 41.5
Insurance group: 16
CO2 emissions: 179g/km
BiK rating: 25%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 8yrs anti-rust