Alfa has impressed us wildly with their 8C Competizione supercar and now all enthusiasts’ eyes are on the MiTo, a name just confirmed to us by our contacts deep inside the Turin offices. The Mini and future Audi A1 (and next Volkswagen Polo sharing with the A1) ought to watch their backs for this speeding and stunning little Italian. Alfa is making it no secret that the priorities for the MiTo are to get uttered in the same breath with Mini as a B-segment leader worldwide, and then to spoil the launch party later this year for the A1/Polo.
Sources also confirm to us that development on the MiTo has been maniacally painstaking in order to arrive in exactly the form Alfa would like in order to make the biggest impact right away. The key words in Turin have been comfort, performance, and sophistication. That means being seen as premium and image-conscious with the hippest car-buying crowd.
(Click through to read more about the Alfa MiTo and see another illustration.)
MiTo is built on the same chassis used by Fiat’s Grande Punto and the GM’s Opel/Vauxhall Corsa, a chassis that was developed with a ton of cash during the brief marriage between Fiat and General Motors. It is reported that this chassis can give as good as it takes and the Opel Corsa OPC at 189 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque (197 pound-feet overboost), or the Grande Punto Abarth SS at 178 horsepower and 201 pound-feet of torque from the 1.4-liter turbocharged T-jet engine, are just the tip of the iceberg. Horsepower for the MiTo with a new turbocharged 1.8-liter direct-injected gas motor with variable valve timing as sophisticated as BMW’s Double Vanos is intended to begin at 180 horsepower and will eventually be made available with up to 230 horsepower.
Other engines ready at launch will not be new, but will include both the scorching 1.4 turbo gas T-jet in the Grande Punto and the Abarth versions, plus a turbo 1.6 diesel. There will reportedly be no gas engine smaller than 1.4-liter, and we’d be surprised if a psyched up 2.0-liter direct-injection turbo gas T-jet and the existing 1.9-liter mJTD diesel don’t show up in the lineup a year after launch. Additional sources say that a Delta version perhaps with a 280-horsepower tune of the planned 2.0-liter would not come as any surprise.
MiTo is also getting pumped up to assume an even larger role for Alfa since it has been confirmed that the successor to the 147 (also on this chassis we’ve been bandying about, but larger than the MiTo) will be offered only as a four-door hatch. This means the MiTo is destined to take on several guises, including the sinister two-door hatch you see here. Expect a four-door hatch as well for MiTo, as well as a four-door sedan, a wagon, and convertible.
Though the rear suspension is the fairly unsophisticated torsion bar setup and not state-of-this-segment multi-link, the dampers as used on the Fiat Grande Punto Abarth sister car have shown us that Fiat Automobiles knows what its doing.
The name MiTo is taken from the two cities that have formed the history of Alfa Romeo, Milan and Turin (“Torino” to the locals). The pleasing design as seen here, in fact, has been led by a team recently relocated back in the semi-abandoned traditional Alfa headquarters in the town of Arese northwest of Milan. Should the MiTo set the car world aflame as its smaller sibling the 500 has done, maybe that tattered factory can once again hit the full-on switch.
MiTo goes on sale in late autumn of this year after it’s Paris motor show debut in September and….plans are in the works to take the MiTo truly global by bringing it to North America as a 2010 model. Pricing will be right in the ballpark with Mini.
Both of the photo illustrations are by Poblete.
I’ll be very surprised if Alfa actually manages to get these to US dealers. They have such a long history of failing in our market, and between the weak US Dollar and the slowing economy, I just don’t see the demand for Alfas by the time that they plan to send them over.
Finally, what true Alfa fan wants a front-wheel drive Alfa? The bigger the engine, the less sense it makes.
I believe every Alfa (except the 8C) is front-drive with the option of all-wheel-drive. Think of it as an Italian Audi, even though that TT diesel discussion failed to clear up whether the Quattro TDIs have a front- or rear-bias. I still contend they’re front.
I’d prefer the Spider thankyouverymuch.
Oh, and make it with the 200HP JTDM engine please.
http://chuck.goolsbee.org/archives/525
–chuck
[…] Copy 1 wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerpt Alfa has impressed us wildly with their 8C Competizione supercar and now all enthusiasts’ eyes are on the MiTo, a name just confirmed to us by our contacts deep inside the Turin offices. The Mini and future Audi A1 (and next Volkswagen Polo sharing with the A1) ought to watch their backs for this speeding and stunning little Italian. Alfa is making it no secret that the priorities for the MiTo are to get uttered in the same breath with Mini as a B-segment leader worldwide, and then to spoil the launch party later this year for the A1/Polo. Sources also confirm to us that development on the MiTo has been maniacally painstaking in order to arrive in exactly the form Alfa would like in order to make the biggest impact right away. The key words in Turin have been comfort, performance, and sophistication. That means being seen […] […]
That is one sexy rear end!
I’m taking bets on how soon they go belly up in the US again after entering the market. I say 5 years.
Well, hopefully the car will look better than these very lumpy photochops, but the name is the worst part. MiTo? really? Not Junior, GTA, or just plain ole Sexy?
Front wheel drive or not, I think these cars definitely will find a market here if they do it right.
I don’t know, hobo. Lotus staged a successful comeback in the States, though it never truly ended operations. Audi made a strong return in America after the “unintended acceleration” crisis–without a halo car. Maserati was forgotten in the 1990s and Jaguar was a quagmire in the ’80s. Both are here today.
Alfa Romeo had a rep for poor reliability, but there are three things in Alfa’s favor versus, say, Fiat: (1) it had a long history of beautiful automobiles; (2) it had the place of being a “poor man’s Ferrari,” which isn’t all that bad; and (3) Alfa’s latest showpieces have created a lot of interest in the States among aficionados.
The 8C and Brera hatch aside, I think the excitement is misplaced. The Brera Spider weighs more than a 335i drop-top, is plagued with cowl shake, and has more weight on its nose than the USS Ronald Reagan. Alfas are largely front-drive, and still suffer a reputation for poor reliability. I think Alfa can keep a spot as a niche player with low-volume expectations as a sub-division of Maserati’s US operations.
Alfas […] still suffer a reputation for poor reliability
That’s what will do them in. Association with Fiat will not help. To the contrary, Alfa would be wise not to stress that.
As for the makes you mentioned:
1. Maserati has hardly staged a comeback. I doubt there are more Maseratis in SF Bay Area that I could count on one hand.
2. Jaguar comeback coincided with a change of ownership. It was believed that Ford could help in the reliability department (and it did, regardless of what people may think of that acquisition).
3. Audi scare was engineered by lawyers. Having a lawyer for an enemy could actually be a plus in popular perception.
I would honestly expect Peugeot to do better if they attempted to come back to the US. Their cars are wildly popular in Europe and quite attractive. Alfa? I don’t know. Maybe a tiny niche. Not something that will be profitable. Alfa won’t be happy with that. I am still betting on 5 years.
I just got back from 3 weeks in Europe and I can say with no chance of hyperbole, the Alfa’s were the sexiest cars on the road. The 159 in particular is gorgeous. This MiTo is a little small for my taste, but I’d definitely consider it. I just hope they can keep the prices under control, as they’re quite affordable in Italy. I saw a brand new 159 displayed near Venice for 17,600 euros, which translates to about 25 grand. That’s affordable. But if they try to price themselves in BMW and MB territory, I think it’ll be a tough sell.
But I would be first in line to buy if the price is reasonable.
They’d be smart to sell them through Ferrari dealers (if those dealers would want them). There are better looking pics in Car and they’re calling it the Junior, but I don’t know if that’s any more accurate. Good looking car, might be interesting with a diesel, but I can’t afford the reliability risk.
Rethink the name. Stateside, nobody but Alfistis will know about the Milano-Torino connection. Who wants a MeToo? I remember a certain MrTwo from Toyota…
It is a cute lil car, hope it gets a diesel. Ducati is right about Alfa’s current offerings, but they are looking at moving to rwd platforms, except on its smalling offerings.
I agree with the name needing to change definitely and it will. That’s easy to do these days. Part of the attraction of the MiTo name in the EU as well is that it plays on the italian word which means “legend”.
All 159-based cars will be rear-wheel capable on the next platform developed in time for North America. Whether they wait to bring them over to us for that or not is foggy yet. I’m more concerned about the upcoming 169 luxo-sedan. If that comes - and it better - it must be rwd.
Also, do a search on Alfa’s Q2 front diff technology. This was made available last model year and honestly fixed a lot of the major weight issue troubles of the 159 chassis family. It’s sweet stuff and drives much finer than their normal fwd or massively heavy and poorly engineered Q4 awd. I had a GT Q2 coupe - sexy as Hell - and it burned things up damned well on some mountain passes.
Maserati is a success story, you naysayers. Making cash. Discreetly, but making cash. Just because you don’t see enough of them in the SF Bay Area doesn’t mean they’re not selling like gangbusters in other US cities and Asia and the Middle East and Europe.
Also drop the “five years” mock reality check on Alfa. This Alfa/Fiat is 100 percent different as a business operation versus former times. Alfa does need work, but they’ve got the best people on it since 2005. Alfa will slowly and wisely arrive, and it’ll have done all the research on how it needs to NOT screw up in America.
Wow, Jack, that was impressively put. You are correct Alfa wants to make the move to rwd for North America, though I am also happy their smaller models will retain their fwd/awd orgins, gives people a choice and options and helps out fleet fuel economy.
Just because you don’t see enough of them in the SF Bay Area doesn’t mean they’re not selling like gangbusters in other US cities and Asia and the Middle East and Europe.
Well, the original assertion was that Maserati made a comeback in the US, so Asia and ME & EU don’t count in this argument. As for other cities, please tell me where Maserati is selling like gangbusters. I am really curious, because I would expect it to show up here.
Also drop the “five years” mock reality check on Alfa. This Alfa/Fiat is 100 percent different as a business operation versus former times.
I would like to hear how you will convince American public that Fiat ownership of Alfa should inspire confidence in its reliability.
Alfa will slowly and wisely arrive, and it’ll have done all the research on how it needs to NOT screw up in America.
I certainly hope so because we need small, fuel-efficient cars. They better figure out how to disassociate themselves from Fiat.
I will remain skeptical for now.
Dang, could you be any more Doomsday?
First, Maserati is doing fine in America. Not sensationally, of course, but then every single Euro import is losing money in America right now due to awful exchange rates. Even BMW can no longer rely on cash hedging. This’ll change only when the dollar improves and the euro gets less overvalued. And, oh insular thinker, the performance of sales overseas matters absolutely to Maserati’s health worldwide and therefore in America. The company has to make money elsewhere in order to offset losses against the US dollar in order to keep operations humming as if all was normal. An age-old story of doing business globally.
Second, the current generation of youthful affluent and hipper buyers know nothing of the past Fiat or Alfa problems apart from what all we sometimes whiners and skeptics say. How many Mini buyers really know anything about the true early Mini? Do they give a rat’s butt?
..I may be abit biased to say this since i own one, but I think that the so called problems with Alfas/Fiats are greatly exaggerated. I have a -95 Alfa 145 with the 1.7 liter boxer(still a student so can’t afford a newer model 
), and the only ‘problems’ i’ve had with it have happened in the past six months since two BOSCH made parts have decided to stop working (Intake air massmeter and fuelpump) I’m the second owner to it and according to the previous owner and the service records it’s ran trouble free before me aswell.
..and we’ve always had a fiat or alfa in the family with no bigger problems.
I think they’re of good value.
[…] de la noticia: Internacional Referencias: windingroad Relacionados en MotorSpain: El Alfa Mito no será presentado en Ginebra Publicado el Marzo 3, 2008 […]
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“Though the rear suspension is the fairly unsophisticated torsion bar setup and not state-of-this-segment multi-link, the dampers as used on the Fiat Grande Punto Abarth sister car have shown us that Fiat Automobiles knows what its doing.”
More sophisticated than a lot of American cars *cough*leafspring*cough*
I will be camping out for the Brera Spider the night before it arrives.
[…] [Source: Winding Road] […]
More sophisticated than a lot of American cars *cough*leafspring*cough*
Only trucks and the Corvette have leaf springs although the vette’s leaf springs are not typical. All other American cars have strut based or multi-link suspensions.
[…] [Source: Winding Road] […]
[…] [Source: Winding Road] […]
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I like it a lot i doubt alfa goes to us because of the dollar. However Alfa can always sell at Ferrari dealerships. the Brera, 159, 169, MiTo.
small cars are great fun. Alfa’s handling is excellent. this car with 230hp will destroy Mini.
Just where do all the ideas about so-called Alfa Romeo unreliability come from?
Since 1981 I’ve owned four Alfasuds (still have one), a 33, a 155 & now a 156 Sportwagon - I live in Europe incidentally. All the cars have been high-mileage & all have been reliable. I can count the number of breakdowns in that period on the fingers of one hand.
By contrast, I do know of some very troublesome but much-vaunted German models….
I have no idea what problems some of you seem to refer to. Alfa has always been a tremendous value and a great performer with the small exception of rust problems with the Russian steel imported in the ’70’s. I have personally owned 15 Alfa’s over the past 25 years and currently own 6 - 5 of which are running and registered! I don’t drive them daily in the winter any longer as they are getting a little long in the tooth for their age.
We ‘Alfisti’ have been awaiting Alfa’s return for way too long. If this MoTo brings excitement back to a few more 20 and 30 somethings then the rest of us old time Alfa enthusiasts will be just as happy to bring along a whole new generation of Alfa Romeo enthusiasts.
Bring on the MoTo and any other model they care to hit the US shores with for that matter. Also, those lovely turbo diesels could do quite well in the US of A these days. I believe that the diesel fear and/or loathing days are long behind us. The performance and mileage they bring would even make up for the higher cost of fuel.
Lastly, I will leave you with a tag line for what Alfa stands for.
Always Looking For Another.
Call me, ,GuzziAlfa,.
Well, I’m not part of the “Alfisti”, but if it looks like this, is a blast to drive, has reasonable durability, and a backseat that isn’t a joke, I’m in.
Okay, that’s a lot of if’s, but the GTI backseat is so good, I just cannot accept much less than that!
I wonder if the guy whining about leaf springs was whining when Volvo used them on the 960 Wagon? Volvo copied the idea that GM uses on the Vette and paired a double wishbone suspension with a leaf rather than coil spring so they could improve packaging. Yes, a relatively modern European company also thought leaves could be a good idea on a passenger car.
Swap in Honda SI engine, electronic and runing gear with Alpha body with aluminum body panel. Alpha will sell a lot with upper scale price that can give
WRX, EVO, CooperS, GTI a run. Alpha can only sell car to target focus customer or a BMW alternative. Alpha does not have BMW Utimate driving machine status. Need a lot of marketing to build up image again for emotional buy. Italian product is good at that.
[…] [Source: Winding Road] […]
Great looking car! The italians have some great designers. Its about time we got something to replace these drab US models. If you offer it in N. America with a diesel option, I will take mine in black!
Alfa Romeo….
I had a Alfa Romeo GTV6 2.5L V6 1984 model it was one of the best cars i had so far, i didn’t like the fact that it was old and was a mission to drive in town but when i got on the open road it handled like a dream, the car was solid on the road and never gave problems in performance, the Alfa Romeo GTV6 had the best looks of all the cars and i’m still in love with the lines of the GTV6 i made a mistake….
I sold the car and bought myself a 1994 Alfa Romeo 155 2.5V6 in the begin i was sad and mad at myself for selling it but after a while the 155 made up for my loss and a dream that car was to drive, its great in towns but on the open road it feels a bit unstable being front wheel drive, but its still an amazing car….
and now i’m eager to drive the new Junior or Mito because its really a nice car, i know Alfa doesn’t have a value when you try to sell it but when you buy an Alfa you don’t just buy a car you buy a friend and there is no other car with the same motor noice as Alfa the beat comming from the pipe is just unbelievable, and its such a nice place to be when your in the seat of your Alfa…
You can buy a BMW and it will not give you the same feeling as an ALFA, all i’m saying is Alfa Romeo has not let us down with poor cars and i believe the new Alfa’s will be a dream to drive!!!!
[…] are considering the prospect of building a production facility in Mexico, which would be capable of supplying the U.S. with car’s like the upcoming Mi.To hatchback, as well as Alfa’s 149 and 159 […]
To the remark about a handful of Maserati’s in the SF Bay area: Where are you looking??? I see a Maserati about once every two weeks here. I live in SF proper and commute to Emeryville and there are literally dozens of Masers on the road here. Quattroportes are the most common, with Spyders a close second. When I was down in San Diego in January - I saw a couple QP’s and even an MC-12 Stradale on the road!!
[…] been owned by a fighter pilot stationed on the exotic island of Cypress, we’re not sure how the Alfa made its way to California, but the car only managed to cover 39,000 miles in the process. That reasonable travel has left the […]
I for one wish Alfa well In the US with their new car whatever it’s called. For the people who put down front wheel drive the obviously never drove a well set up front drive car like a 156 Auto Delta GTA, an Acura Speed GT car, or a Lotus Elan Turbo SE. Front drive cars don’t have to handle badly. The SAAB 9000, 93, and 900 won the UK Touring Championships against the BMW M3’s and the Porsche 944 several years in a row. And how many championships did the Alfa front drive cars win in touring car races??? I have a 164 LS and it handles better than any of the old Alfa’s I used to own. You just need to learn to set them up properly. Or maybe go to a racing school. The guys at Skip Barber sure don’t go slow in those front drive Neon’s! As for poor Maserati sales, we sure seem to have alot of them in Southern California. I live in Long Beach and I see more Maseratis than Alfa’s here.
Looks sort of like a 1992 Honda Civic. Proving that those little rice rockets were the classics they aspired to be.
It IS shinier however.
I’d like to get my hands on one of these Alfas.
Check out the above website for more photos of the MiTo…
be part of the forum discussions…
ciao
check out this website for forum discussions and more stunning photos of the MiTo…
ciao
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