The iconic Alfa Romeo spider - the model as a brand, specifically - has lived through days of glory (think as everyone does, The Graduate) and days that will live in infamy (the bubble-met-rectangle late 90's variant).

The latest spider - we've been promised - will bless the American public with her gorgeous presence sometime this decade. But the car is currently on offer in Europe. And now on that side of The Pond, as on option, Alfa will offer a 200 horsepower 2.4 liter diesel engine.

Say what?

That's right, an oil burner. True, this is not exactly out of lane with most of Europe's motoring trends. After all, the majority of Europeans drive diesels wedded to manual transmissions.

Still, it seems neither right nor proper that the sexiest of everyday Italian boulevardiers should speak not with the suggestive tones of a petrol infused engine, but with the dull, clattering accent of any Euro taxi?

Alfa can keep the diesel Spider on that side of The Pond.

[Source: Newsmarket]