With looks inspired...

With looks inspired by the Brera coupé, the two-door convertible is the long-awaited successor to the current drop-top, which dates back to 1996.

As with its predecessor, the handsome newcomer has only two seats, a traditional fabric hood and jaw-dropping looks. The firm"s designers decided to forego the current trend towards folding metal roofs, and the benefits are obvious.

The Spider"s compact soft-top fits beneath a neat tonneau cover that incorporates a pair of retro-style roll hoops. At the rear, the light clusters mirror the design of the triple-lens headlamps and provide the tail with a sleek and smooth finish.

There"s a choice between a 185bhp 2.2-litre petrol engine or a more powerful 260bhp 3.2-litre V6. Go for the larger powerplant, and you"ll also benefit from the firm"s Q4 all-wheel-drive set-up.

Better still, the drop-top should hit UK showrooms in time to enjoy some sunshine. It"s expected to arrive early this summer, and although prices have yet to be announced, expect the Spider to cost from around чЈ24,000.

If you need a bit more space, Alfa Romeo will also unveil its stylish 159 Sportwagon at Geneva. The estate model is the same length as the pretty 159 saloon, but its tapering roofline and angled tailgate eat into boot space.

However, engineers claim the Sportwagon has a competitive capacity compared to prestige rivals such as the BMW 3-Series Touring and Audi"s A4 Avant. The load-lugger goes on sale before the Spider this spring with a choice of three petrol engines.

As with the saloon, the entry-level powerplant is a 160bhp 1.9-litre unit, while a 185bhp 2.2-litre engine is the next rung on the ladder. The flagship model will benefit from a 260bhp 3.2-litre V6. Diesel fans will get two options - either a 150bhp 1.9-litre or 200bhp 2.4-litre. All come fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard.