The five door C-Segment vehicle will be available for prices starting from £16,995 and is launched in the Italian manufacturer’s centenary year.

Due to hit the UK’s garage floors in early summer, the highly-anticipated model will feature three petrol engines and two diesel powerplants.

Petrol options include a 1.4 TB 120 bhp, a 1.4 TB MultiAir 170 bhp, and a top-of-the-range 170 Tbi 235 bhp model. Meanwhile, the two diesel engines on offer are a 1.6 JTDM-2 105 bhp and a 2.0 JTDM-2 170 bhp.

Three high-spec trims are on offer and the Cloverleaf range-topping version, priced at £24,495, will have its own exclusive exterior and interior attributes.

As part of the company’s centenary celebrations, it is putting together a mosaic of pictures sent in by Alfa Romeo owners and fans.

Owners and fans of the carmaker can play a part in creating a unique piece of art to commemorate its 100th year, and all they need is a camera (and an Alfa Romeo nearby).

From today (April 28th) until July 5th, pictures of any of the models in the Alfa Romeo range can be uploaded to an online archive, and they will be used to form a huge mosaic.

A number of iconic images have also been chosen to appear in the artwork, including the moment the manufacturer’s 158 model took the chequered flag in the inaugural Formula One European Championship race 60 years ago in Silverstone.

Alfa Romeo UK brand communications manager, Damien Dally, said: "2010 is a huge landmark for Alfa Romeo and we feel that this project will perfectly capture the brand’s identity and really allows us to celebrate with the thousands of people who have put us where we are today – our customers."

The well-known manufacturer was established in Milan, Italy, in 1910 and has been part of the Fiat Group since 1986.

The marque claimed September statistics show it has enjoyed one of the most impressive year-to-date increases of any manufacturer.

It saw a 148.5 per cent growth in new car registrations for the month – with almost 2,000 models straight off the production line delivered to customers in the UK.

For the year so far, volumes are up 40.4 per cent on the same period in 2008.

UK sales director Andrew Sproston said: "This is great news for all concerned."

He added: "The hard work and investment we have put into the restructure of this iconic brand is now starting to pay off."

The Alfa MiTo was the company’s most popular model last month.

In August, the manufacturer launched two new Euro 5-compliant engines for its Alfa 159 range.

The marque revealed the units are also due to become options for Alfa Brera and Alfa Spider customers.

The manufacturer recently challenged two London-based fashion designers – McElligott and Bjork – to create some trousers that would be as desirable as its Alfa MiTo model, while raising money for good causes at the same time.

In response, the stylists came up with a range of skinny-fit jeans with Alfa Romeo-inspired red stitching and leather waistbands.

The right back pocket of the trousers also features an embroidered version of the serpent that appears on the carmaker’s badge.

Each item of clothing is priced at £75 each and any money raised will go to the charity Jeans for Genes.

Two boutiques in London will sell the collection.

In other news, Alfa Romeo recently announced it had introduced two new Euro 5-compliant engine choices for its Alfa 159 line up.

The units are due to be launched as options in the Brera and Spider ranges later this year.

In addition, the company announced that the Alfa Brera and Alfa Spider will benefit from these parts later in the year.

The new Alfa Romeo 159 1750 TBi is lightweight and boasts variable valve timing, which brings "new levels of drivability to the Alfa 159 range".

"Perfectly complementing the current engine line-up, the new 16-valve, twin overhead camshaft 1742 cc petrol unit brings keen fuel efficiency to Alfa 159 Saloon and Sportwagon versions, along with lower CO2 emissions, down to 189 g/km," the manufacturer noted.

Furthermore, the new 2.0 JTDM powerplant develops 170 bhp available at just 4,000 rpm and boasts advance multijet technology.

To coincide with the launch of these, the firm has introduced a new range structure now featuring five trim levels – Turismo, Turismo Sport, Elegante, Lusso and TI.

In related news, Alfa Romeo celebrated its 99th birthday earlier this year at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The event – held on July 9th at BCA Measham – saw most vehicles achieve more than was expected, organisers claimed.

It was reported the Italian marque’s 147 and 159 attracted particular interest, with the Brera also proving a hit with bidders.

The closed sale brought in more than 50 potential buyers who attended in person, with an additional 35 making use of BCA’s online facility.

Alfa Romeo remarketing manager Simon Wheeler stated: "We were delighted with the performance of our products at the sale – making this the fourth month running we have achieved exceptional results in a major closed auction environment."

Meanwhile, motorists who buy one of the manufacturer’s used models may find they can keep it in peak condition for longer by replacing worn parts with Alfa Romeo car spares purchased online.

Silverstone was the setting for triple-jumper Phillips Idowu and high-jumper Germaine Mason to have a go at some testing and laps. The event was organised by Alfa Romeo, which is the Official Car Supplier to UK Athletics.

Javelin champion Steve Backley was also in attendance, as he is a performance adviser to the sportsmen.

He said it was "great" and "a lot of fun" for the guys to have some time off and take their minds off the upcoming challenges.

Idowu added it was "completely different" to the kind of training they usually undertake.

He remarked: "Whilst none of us are expert drivers, the competition was pretty intense!"

Last month, Alfa Romeo announced that an England Polo team player had chosen an Alfa Brera S V6 as his new car.

Henry Brett said despite its sport coupe profile, it was able to fit all of his equipment.