Alfa Romeo is to revive the famed Giulia name for its replacement to the 159, it has been reported. Italy’s Quattroruote car magazine has word from sources at Alfa that the company is binning its current numerical naming system in favour of proper names.

Sadly the new car won’t be sharing the Giulia’s rear-drive layout and will stick with traction from the front thanks to a the use of a modified Lancia Delta platform. However four-wheel drive will be available in some models.

According to images by Quattroruote the car will have similar styling to the MiTo/8C but retaining a similar side profile to the 159.