A legend is returning at Alfa Romeo, and it’s got the Mazda MX-5 in its sights! This striking machine is the new Duetto – a drop-top that revives a famous model from the Sixties.

Back then, the Duetto starred in the cult Dustin Hoffman film, The Graduate, and it has been affectionately known as the Alfa Graduate ever since.

The car was a big hit for the firm, and the new version could repeat this success by offering beautiful looks and driver appeal in a £20,000 package. That would put the Alfa in direct competition with the Mazda roadster.

As you can see from our main image, the Duetto would be a sleek two-seater with gorgeous detailing and lots of Italian style. It would sit on the same front-wheel-drive platform as the forthcoming 147 replacement – which in turn is shared with Fiat’s Bravo and Lancia’s Delta – and be offered with a range of engines including the Abarth 500’s 1.4-litre turbo.

But as the Delta is likely to get a four-wheel-drive option, there is also scope for an all-wheel-drive Duetto. Expect to see the model in 2010.

Before then, an even more beautiful topless Alfa will arrive. The Italian firm will unveil a production version of the 8C Spider at March’s Geneva Motor Show. The car is due on sale later this year in very limited numbers.