Fed up with the humdrum choice of cars in the family car market? If you crave something distinctly more individual, charismatic and stylish, then here’s the answer: the all-new Alfa Giulietta, due to hit the roads in May 2010. Named after one of Alfa Romeo’s most cherished models – first produced in the 1950s and again in the late 1970s – this is the third generation and one that ushers in a raft of innovative features and design treatments to take on the best in class.

As befits a new Alfa Romeo, the Giulietta has many standout features, not least of which is a brand new interpretation of the classic scudetto grille. The Mito’s ‘frameless’ slats now have an elegant chrome edge and a double ‘V’ design that blends into the bottom edge of the spoiler and appears suspended between the two air intakes on either side. According to design director Christopher Reitz, this new ‘trilobe shape’ is a deliberate attempt to give the new Giulietta an entirely new personality.

Although the teardrop headlights (now with LED daytime running lights as standard) and the prominent V-shaped bonnet lines mimic the features on the 8C Competizione, every other detail is unique to the Giulietta. For instance, the soft clean flanks that accentuate the Mito’s rounded silhouette give way to a much more distinctive three-quarter view, dominated by a sharp crease line running from the front wing to the rear lights. The rear doors – the new Giulietta will only be available in a 5-door format – have been disguised with a pair of hidden door handles (a trick first used by Alfa on the 156), angled roofline and minimal glass area to give an almost coupe-like profile.

There are no 8C-style circular taillights either; instead, there’s a set of elongated designs that also feature the latest LED technology.The most dramatic change occurs inside with a bold new look for the cabin architecture. The driver-orientated centre console that is such a prominent feature on every other model in the Alfa Romeo range here makes way for a single-piece section running horizontally across the entire width of the dashboard, broken up only by the cowled dials, slim-fit radio screen, five rocker switches and three circular dials for controlling the air conditioning.Alfa Romeo has also worked hard to ensure the new Giulietta is as space-efficient as possible. To that end, it is both longer and taller than the outgoing Alfa 147 and the standard luggage space is a class-competitive 350 litres. The Wheelbase is also significantly longer, which allows more head, leg and elbow room for the driver and passengers.

The engine range comprises three petrol and two common-rail diesel units, all Euro 5 compliant and all turbocharged. The entry-level petrol engine is the 12oBHP 1.4, followed by the 170BHP 1.4 Multiair engine.The diesels start with a 105BHp 1.6litre JTDm and a 170BHP 2.0litre JTDm. Each one comes with Start&Stop as standard for reducing consumption and emissions. At the top of the range is the high-performance 1750Tbi with 235BHP resulting in a 0-62mph time of just 6.5 seconds, and this will only be available in sporty Cloverleaf specification.

There’s equal emphasis on making sure the new Giulietta will be fun to drive in true Alfa Romeo tradition. Underpinning the svelte new exterior metalwork is an equally new ‘compact’ platform, constructed from lightweight aluminium and steel for minimum weight and maximum rigidity to give pure driving enjoyment. Alfa’s DNA will be standard across the range, and enables the driver to modify the throttle response, steering weight, Q2 electronic differential and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) stability system. The new Alfa Giulietta will also be available with a new, state of the art steering system, complete with the latest generation Dynamic Steering Torque (DST) to further enhance the driving experience.For the UK marker, the new Alfa Giulietta comes with a generous array of standard equipment, including hill holder, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with anti-lock brakes, Anti-Slip Regulation and Electronic Brake Assistant, three-mode DNA technology, manual air-conditioning, trip computer, 16” Alloy wheels, tailgate-mounted rear spoiler, plus front and rear LED.

Pricing will be announced closer to the car’s official launch at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show in March but expect to pay in the region of a VW Golf.