Future Sports Cars Sneak Preview: 2009 to 2012
2010 Alfa Romeo Mi.To
Alfa wraps its style in a tidy package.
By Mike Monticello
Alfa Romeo will bring to market a sporty new 3-door hatchback this July in Europe. Although we heard such possible names as "Junior" and "Furiosa" being bandied about, Alfa brass settled on Mi.To. Although seemingly a strange choice, the abbreviation designates the collaboration between the city of Milan (Milano) — where the Mi.To was styled — and the city of Turin (Torino), which is where the car will be manufactured.
Alfa officials say the Mi.To is its "most compact sporty car to date." They are also quick to point out similarities in style with the flagship 8C Competizione, such as the shape of the frameless side windows, the front-end treatment as well as the head- and taillights. Except this Alfa wraps its style in a tidy package that's only 159.8 in. long (still about 14 in. longer than a Mini Cooper), 56.7 in. tall and 67.7 in. wide.
There will be an assortment of gasoline and diesel engines, ranging from 90 bhp to 155 bhp at the car's launch, with higher-powered versions due later (especially if the car comes to the U.S.). The Mi.To has Alfa's new DNA system, which allows the driver to switch among three driving modes (Dynamic, Normal and All-Weather) that affect the behavior of the engine, brakes, steering, suspension and gearbox.
Alfa officials promise the Mi.To will have a truly sporting suspension setup, one that minimizes body roll and aids aggressive driving. What they aren't promising is whether the Mi.To will come to the States. The rumor is it will, possibly by 2010.
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