IT'S a hard one to get your head around - a diesel sports car. But, believe me, this concept has legs.
Audi is doing very nicely thank you with the diesel version of the TT and Alfa Romeo deserves to win friends and sales with the oil-burning alternative to its exceedingly pretty Spider. In fact, there's a good chance it will outshine the petrol models in the Italian's range.
A brief glance at the spec shows the 2.4-litre JTDm to accelerate quicker and have a higher top speed than its 2.2-litre petrol counterpart. It is also more than 10mpg more frugal.
Even when set against the V6 3.2- litre the diesel shows itself to be only a few fractions of a second slower with an 8.1seconds time to 62mph. And when it comes to the fuel pumps, the JTDm will squeeze 41.5 miles out of a gallon rather than 25.5 miles.
But more important even than the stark statistics is the feel of the car. Unlike the TT, the Spider is not an out-and-out sports car. Yes, it's a two-seater and yes it's reasonably fast at 144mph, but the handling and general demeanor is more elegant cruiser than roadster.
Which is not necessarily a bad thing because the majority of buyers probably couldn't give a hoot about lateral g-force or the nuances of understeer and oversteer. What most are looking for is a beautiful looking two-seater which cuts a dash. And on that score, the Spider with its distinctive row of six headlights delivers in spades.
Given those parameters, it matters little that there's a relatively low revving diesel engine under the bonnet. In many ways the high torque and unfrenetic cruising ability of the multijet diesel suits the car's character and with 210bhp to call on, there's no shortage of reserve power.
Once you get over its stunning shape, there are more treats within the retro-styled cabin. The cowled dials and the leather seating evoke images of Alfas heyday in the Sixities and the leather covered steering wheel is pleasure to grip.
The electric hood is a one-touch affair that goes up and down quick enough to beat the showers. A huge plus is the lack of buffeting the drivers and passenger receive almost no matter the speed. A rear wind-deflector plays its part but the rest must be down to excellent aerodynamics.
The engine note is far from unpleasant and noise levels are subdued either with the roof up or down.
Steering is positive enough but there's a bit too much cornering roll, despite a generally fairly firm ride, for the front-drive Spider to match some of the opposition. Another criticism is the degree of body-flex which can detected over poor road surfaces.
As a weekend break car - or even for a full week - there's enough cargo space in the rear boot and the range between fuel stops is an impressive 600 miles or so, thanks to the miserly thirst and a 15.4 gallon tank. My test average worked out a shade over 40mpg.
Undemanding and easy to drive, the Spider JTDm, which will set you back £30,395, is surely one of the best looking droptops on the road.
FAST FACTS
Alfa Romeo Spider 2.4 JTDm
Price: £30,395
Mechanical: 210bhp, 2,387cc, 5cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6spd manual gearbox
Max speed: 144mph
0-62mph: 8.1 secs
Combined mpg: 41.5
Insurance group: 17
CO2 emissions: 179g/km
BiK rating: 26%
Warranty: 3yrs/ unlimited mileage