SPORTING performance, executive class interior, styling with a real road presence and a badge which makes it instantly recognisable.

No, not a Beemer, Audi or Mercedes. Neither a Jaguar, Volvo or Lexus. Roll forward Alfa Romeo with the Giulia.

With so many cars, around many manufacturers must be scratching their heads for new names. Or they just go for a golden oldie. Giulia dates back to its first incarnation in the early 1960s.

The 21st century version makes a triumphant return with a stunning looking compact saloon to turn heads on the road or the company car park and for the purists, offers rear wheel drive.

Launched in 2015 has been refreshed to include the latest range of Euro 6D engines and increased standard specification.

The Italian firm appears to have taken a leaf out of one of their German rivals' styling with a kind of less-is-more approach to the interior.

But the exterior is the first to catch the eye. Sleek, yet muscular with a long bonnet swooping down to that familiar shield-shaped grille with offset number plate.

Large multi-spoke alloy wheels and eye catching light clusters deliver an impressive package.

The interior is a delight, with this model featuring the 8.8-inch Alfa Connect with navigation and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. With my awkward fingers, the touch screen was a bit fiddly, but major controls can also be selected by touch or the rotary controller on the centre console.

The soft touch finish to doors and dash, leather finish seats and ambient lighting giving the vehicle a real upmarket feel, with plenty of head and legroom, despite the sloping roofline. The layout is simple and intuitive hence, less is more.

The Alfa badge abounds including on the neat multi-function steering wheel which also features the starter button in a novel touch.

All models are well equipped and include alloys, climate control, parking aids and a raft of safety features which include collision and lane warning, plus autonomous braking.

The Super driven here adds 17-inch alloy wheels, six-way manual front seats, a seven inch TFT colour cluster display behind the steering wheel and an eight speaker audio system.

Also included are aluminium brake calipers and door sills, auto headlight and windscreen wipers and LED tail and brake lights

On the road, the car delivers an engaging drive from the excellent 200bhp petrol engine.

The turbo charged unit propels the car to 60mph in just over six seconds, while the steering is direct and ultra responsive. It is fitted with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, with optional paddles behind the steering wheel if you go semi-manual.

The now familiar DNA drive settings also feature on the central console, which allows drivers to choose economy, a normal or a sporty drive but adjusting throttle and steering responses accordingly.

Economy is also good with a claimed 48-ish mpg seeming not far off in the real world, certainly well above 40mpg, and emissions of 138g/km.

The suspension setup, soaks up the worst bumps but still offers a firm ride which allows the car to feel agile and flexible. It clings limpet like on bends, but is a pussycat pottering around town.

Boot space is competitive with 480 litres available and this can be increased with the optional 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats at £275.