Alfa MiTo confirmed for July release
Ateco Automotive is aiming to shake up the local hot-hatch market when it introduces Alfa Romeo's MINI rival, the MiToAustralian pricing for the Alfa Romeo MiTo is a closely guarded secret, but the local Alfa Romeo distributor has revealed that the new car will arrive in two levels of trim and powered by two turbocharged engines. One is expected to be a 1.6-litre turbodiesel developing 88kW of power and the other is reportedly a 114kW 1.4-litre petrol turbo engine. Both engines will be coupled to six-speed manual transmissions and the front-wheels will be driven through an electronic differential that acts like a limited-slip differential.
Named for Milano and Torino, the two Italian cities in which Alfa Romeo is based, the MiTo aims to recapture some of the flair and appeal of the original Alfasud of the 1970s. If, in doing so, it snares market share from the MINI and other Euro competitors like the Renault Clio 197 and the Peugeot 207 GTi, so much the better.
"The MiTo is enormously important to Alfa Romeo as it takes us into a whole new market sector," says Edward Butler, General Manager for Alfa Romeo in Australia.
"Although Alfa Romeo has had small cars, starting with the legendary AlfaSud through to its modern successor, the Alfa Romeo 147, the Alfa MiTo is not just in the sector below the 147, it is focused totally on being a performance and style driven mini-Coupe, not compromised by things like having to have a five door version. This has enabled Alfa Romeo's acclaimed stylists to produce a car that as a purity of shape that has not been seen before."
The two levels of trim for the MiTo will comprise a luxury grade and a sport grade, but Ateco is keeping schtumm about pricing and specification, to avoid the car's competitors in Australia being handed advance notice.
"We cannot release the prices and specifications yet," says Butler. "But Alfa Romeo has a real value for money reputation across its range, so not only do I think people will pleasantly surprised when we announce prices and specifications in July, I think anyone looking for a car that offers the blend of style, performance and luxury that sets all Italian cars apart from the rivals should wait until to July for MiTo!"
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