Everything is about to change for Alfa Romeo fans. At a recent press introduction of the new MiTo small car in Milan and in celebration of its 100-year anniversary (next year), Alfa will be coming back to America. In fact, the maker announced it will be coming out with more models for U.S. consumption in the next three years than it's released worldwide in the last 10 -- each designed, engineered, and manufactured with the American market in mind. That's the good news. The bad is that the newest (and smallest) Alfa won't be coming to the U.S. any time soon, as it was designed off a platform variant (Fiat Punto) that would take significant time, money, and reengineering to meet safety and service regulations here in the States. Then, of course, there's the little problem of not having much of a dealer network here, either; however, we were told that issue is being coordinated, so there is hope for the 2010 model year.
As to its first entry into the minicar class, this B-segment player was shown in Milan, Italy, and specifically designed to get younger buyers to take a new look at Alfa. Additionally, the MiTo (named for Italian cities of Milan and Turin) is meant to signal a new design language and level of engineering that buyers in this segment haven't had before. This "new and improved" Alfa Romeo will try to offer the entry-level buyer strong performance, character, and agility -- the three key characteristics Alfa is looking to inject in everything it creates from here on out.
Based off the Fiat Punto platform (a nondescript compact car), the MiTo will sport the uniquely shaped Alfa nose, very similar in shape and size to the coming Alfa 8C supercar. There's no mistaking what car is driving toward you when you see the diving triangular grille hanging over the hood. The rear of the six-foot car is less stylized with a squatty rear end, widened rear flares, tapered roof, and two large taillights plopped at the edges. One positive result of the shape is that the truckwell in the hatchback is deep, able to hold several bags of luggage and gear.
The MiTo will be offered with two engines out of the gate, with a 1.4L,155-hp turboed gas motor (170 lb-ft peak torque), and a 1.6L, 120-hp turbodiesel (233 lb-ft peak torque) -- both with six-speed manual transmissions. The Alfa team has stiffened and redesigned key parts of the chassis to make the platform much stiffer than its Fiat brethren, with special attention centered on the front struts and rear spring rates.
The result is an almost odd level of comfort around town, with a strong sense of body rigidity when pushed through the corners. Additionally, working with the chassis, a new Ferrari-based "DNA"-response system allows the MiTo to toggle from one driving personality to another. Basically, it's an electrically controlled, three-setting system with Dynamic, Normal, or All-Weather engagements. Each notch offers a different parameter that allows the throttle, electronically boosted steering, engine mapping, and traction control to work together to provide the most sporty and confident feel given the situation and driver needs.
It's still cool. 
