SPY PICS: The odd angry shot
Alfa Romeo firms up its plans for a furious assault on the mini hot hatch segmentAs the world thinks ever more seriously about downsizing, Alfa Romeo is moving ahead with its plans to introduce the sub-147, Fiat Punto-based "Furiosa" at the Paris motor show in September this year.
To slot into the Alfa range below the also-forthcoming but considerably larger five-door 147, the Punto-based car will be aimed at the Mini Cooper and Audi's as-yet unreleased A1.
The new car featured in an online poll to establish a name, with Furiosa (no surprise to learn it is Italian for fury) heading the list of suggestions from around the world. Often referred to as the Alfa Junior during the speculation period, the new car may not, according to Alfa Romeo executives, go with the Furiosa name if, after a period of serious mulling-over, it is considered inappropriate.
What the shots from spy photographers Carparazzi indicate is that the final production version will -- except for the giant wheels that are a normal indulgence at the design sketch stage -- faithfully follow the concept drawings issued during 2007.
The heavily-clad test mule reveals more than initial appearances might suggest, including the deep Alfa grille, side windows that taper to a point at the rear, and the ditching of the Punto's C-Pillar taillights with circular lenses level with the upper side window line.
The Alfa might be a fair bit smaller than the 147, but it's a lot bigger than BMW's Mini Cooper. It rates less as a 2+2 sports hatch than a proper four-seater suitable for occasional shopping duties.
The engine lineup will focus on giving the little Alfa appropriate levels of performance, using the same 1.9-litre turbodiesel as in the Punto, producing as much as 147kW, and the 1.4-litre petrol T-jet with outputs as high as 136kW.
Rumour also has it that a 4WD GTA version will become available at some stage, squeezing 184kW out of the T-jet engine and aimed directly at the Mini Cooper S.
The baby Alfa was originally hoped to reach Australia towards the end of this year, but now the date has moved out to the first quarter of 2009.
- with Carparazzi
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