Alfa Romeo Introduces MiTo Mini

21 June, 2008 02:02:00

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Fiat Groupâ€™s brand, Alfa Romeo is introducing a new sporty mini called MiTo to widen its product range and appeal to younger more environmentally conscious drivers, which are looking for high-performing, fuel-efficient and stylish compact car.

The MiTo (short for Milan and Torino, the two home cities of Alfa Romeo and Fiat) is based on the Grande Punto hatchback and will be powered by one of four turbocharged engine selections offered in either diesel or gasoline.

With the Mi.To's entry into the luxury B-segment occupied largely by the Mini Cooper, Alfa Romeo is looking recapture its sporty driver-oriented image with an added interest in being environmentally responsible.

A choice of three engines will be available with the MiTo. Two gasoline engines, first 78 horsepower 1.4-liter and the most powerful a 1.4L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 155 horsepower. Next is a 1.6L turbo diesel developing 120 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. All are mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.

All of them are Euro 5 ready, and offer CO2 emissions ranging from 126 g/km for the turbodiesel to 153 g/km for the 1.4L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine.

On a conceptual basis, the Alfa Romeo MiTo powered with 1.6L turbo diesel is capable of doing 49mpg.

As for safety, no compromises were made. The MiTo includes 7 airbags and a host of electronic driving aids: stability and traction control, hill-start assist, ABS, emergency braking assist and wheel locking mitigation upon sudden release of the throttle.

The Mi.To will arrive in Italian showrooms in July and sell for a base price of about 16,000 euros ($24,750). It will reach dealers elsewhere in Europe by September.

Alfa aims to sell 40,000 units this year and double that number in subsequent years.

At least for now, the North Americans won't be able to enjoy it...