RECENT years have seen great strides in new technology. With the emphasis on more economical and greener driving, increasing numbers of drivers are reaping the environmental and financial rewards.

This is all great news, however look around you and what do you see? Technology might have advanced in leaps and bounds but car design hasn’t exactly followed. The result is a lot of similar-looking metal on the high street.

That’s not something you can say about Alfa Romeo’s current line-up. Visually arresting from all angles, the Italian firm’s products offer style-conscious motorists a welcome escape from conformity.

And nowhere is this more accurate than with the 159. When a car boasts a pair of triple-lamp headlights and an offset number plate you know you’re in for a visual treat.

There’s also plenty of substance to go with this style overload, though. The 159 is a genuine rival in the fiercely competitive compact executive market. And if you’re seeking a little extra flexibility, the Sportwagen offers more space - but not at the expense of the car’s looks.

This marriage of style and substance is something Alfa Romeo is rather good at. Fiat, the parent company, is also rather good at innovating, and it’s Alfa Romeo that often gets the first crack at the technology whip. For example, Fiat’s common rail diesel engines first saw service in Alfas.

Along with a mild refresh of the range, Alfa has made two new engines available for its 159, a more efficient petrol motor and a much improved diesel unit.

The new petrol engine offers a welcome mix of improved economy and reduced emissions plus a healthy dose of power. With its 200 horsepower output, the direction injection 1750 TBi turbo motor is perfectly capable of propelling a 159 at a brisk rate. With its 194g/km CO2 rating (189g/km for the saloon) it also drops six bands in the company car tax structure - a considerable improvement over the 2.2 JTS motor it replaces.

On the road, and bolted to a Sportwagon, the 1750 TBi engine proves to be willing and refined in equal measure. Remember, there’s a good chance that this car-engine combination will be pressed into work pounding motorways so it’s good to know that it’s quiet at the legal maximum speed.

Away from the nation’s highways, the car is deceptively sprightly. Granted, 200 horsepower is a sizeable amount of power, but the smooth delivery and lack of drama cleverly masks the car’s progress. In short, you’ll need to keep a beady eye on the dials if you want to keep you licence intact.

And don’t think for a moment that the Sportwagon option is a compromise that should be avoided. Yes, the extra space is welcome, but there’s never any feeling that the estate variant hampers performance. It could even be said that the wagon is the better looker - just don’t say it out loud.

Although the 1750 TBi engine is the main focus here, Alfa Romeo has used the motor’s introduction to subtly refresh the 159 family. A reshuffling of trim levels and equipment means that you’re getting more for your money, whether it’s a hill hold function, improved upholstery options or an integrated Bluetooth system for example.

At the end of the day, it’s your heart that will draw you towards Alfa’s 159. And with good reason, as its rakish nose, decadent detailing and squat stance is a world away from the conservative tin boxes sharing the company car parking lot Factor in more equipment and a sophisticated petrol motor, and you’ve got all the excuses you need to tell your head that you’ve made the right decision.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Model: Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon 1750 TBi Elegante, from £24,380 on the road.

Engine: 1.7-litre turbo petrol unit developing 200bhp.

Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission as standard, driving the front wheels.

Performance: Maximum speed 146mph, 0-62mph 7.9 seconds.

Economy: 34.0mpg.

CO2 Rating: 194g/km.