Alfa Romeo is confident that an attractive new estate model will boost sales of the sporting Italian marque to British business motorists. 'Particularly difficult trading conditions at present mean we have no fixed plans on volume, but our feeling is that this car should account for 10% of total 156 model registrations,' said an Alfa Romeo GB spokesman when the Sportwagon was unveiled at Geneva.

Developed to combine sports car performance and handling with estate versatility, the model will mirror the 156 saloon range in petrol and diesel power units when it arrives in Britain this summer.