Alfa Romeo Mi.To - Want it? Me Too. Epic Want. UPDATE: Americans can want it too!

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Leonidae
yeah, you want to see a ton of cheap, black plastic as there is in every VAG that is in your way if you have to do even simplest basic maintenance. and Alfa Romeo isn't in the 80's any more, their build quality has gone up by miles, just like Fiats. you're complaining about aesthetics, and have no first hand experience to base your OPINIONS ( that you treat as facts) on.
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lol looking at current alfa history they are still known as a unreliable brand, and if you think VAG has tons of cheap plastic what will you make of the alfa and fiat.

And yes I do have first hand exerience of FIAT because I was gonna buy a punto as I really like the look of them in metallic orange but when I went to the dealership I was utterly disapointed in how crap it was for the money they were asking. The engine bay of the fiat is crap, not opinion that is fact. The body panels are flimsy, infact I think they were plastic, not opinion, but fact. Also the interior layout was meagre and reminded me of the last gen corsa, not opinion, but fact that for the money they are asking you can buy a much better car.

As for the polo that is not much better interior wise, but it can be let off seeing as its really old now whilst the punto is not.

Everyone loves alfas, hardly anyone buys them though in germany or the UK because were all scared of crap build quality and reliability. And the alfa dealer network is meant to be crap aswell.
 
Some panels may be plastic, but the car still gets five NCAP stars, and weighs a lightweight 1050kg. Which is more than can be said for VAG's products. And for 11k, how much interior can you ask for? Do you expect leather and stitching, as well? How about brushed aluminum, some carbon fiber and a SatNav? It's a 1.2lcar that costs 11k. Not 5 grand more. It's the base of bases - basic transportation. You're lucky to get a good design thrown in...

And seriously - how often do you look at the engine-bay? I wouldn't care if it had polished red heads and shiny carburetors, or if it has plastic sheeting covering a dirty mess.
 
Metar
Some panels may be plastic, but the car still gets five NCAP stars, and weighs a lightweight 1050kg. Which is more than can be said for VAG's products. And for 11k, how much interior can you ask for? Do you expect leather and stitching, as well? How about brushed aluminum, some carbon fiber and a SatNav? It's a 1.2lcar that costs 11k. Not 5 grand more. It's the base of bases - basic transportation. You're lucky to get a good design thrown in...

And seriously - how often do you look at the engine-bay? I wouldn't care if it had polished red heads and shiny carburetors, or if it has plastic sheeting covering a dirty mess.
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£11k for a 1.2 is alot of money.

I dont see how fiat try selling a punto 1.2 for the same money as the new corsa which actually has a really pleaseant interior this time round
 
forza2.0
£11k for a 1.2 is alot of money.

I dont see how fiat try selling a punto 1.2 for the same money as the new corsa which actually has a really pleaseant interior this time round
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I can see why. Because it's selling, fast. It's roomy, it's good-looking, and economic.

And apart from the Corsa? Which, I assume, is also a 1.2l?
 
Metar
I can see why. Because it's selling, fast. It's roomy, it's good-looking, and economic.

And apart from the Corsa? Which, I assume, is also a 1.2l?
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well when I was looking at corsas they were 11k for a 1.2 because they just came out. The punto does sell well, but not on the same level as the fiesta, clio and corsa.
 
*WHISTLES*

GUYS! I think the debate THIS TIME was a little uncalled for. I'll vouch for Alfa not exactly being a reliable maker, at least by reputation, and I didnt' think Forza 2.0's comment was out of line. He just doesn't like it, and that's fine by me, because it doesn't keep me from wanting one. The agony of the repair is part of owning an Alfa...the sexy engine, style, and, to some extent, handling, is also part of the experience.

I want to be a true petrol head.
 
A red Alfa hatchback...seriously why are some of you hating it? I mean this thing is just beauty in the purest sense. Next to the Brera its the best looking thing from Italy right now. I would so buy one of these, even in the base form just to get to drive something that looks like that. :drool:
 
Gorgeous car :drool: Only the front reminds me a bit of the Morgan Aero 8, pre-facelift... Have to see it in real-life I think to give my final verdict on the front. Also curious for some pics of the car without the bodykit. Don't think this is the basic 1.4 engined model!
I'm sure this car will be a great car to drive with the Q2 option ordered, can become class cleading. It probably won't be the best of the class regarding build quality and interior, but who cares? :D
 
So apparently, YSSMAN and the guys can start wanting it more seriously...


Source

Autoblog
Alfa Romeo just released initial details and images of the long-awaited Mi.To hatchback, and already industry analysts are predicting the MINI rival could make it across the ocean when the company returns to the American market.

Newly-installed Alfa Romeo CEO Luca De Meo needs to double the brand's sales to 300,000 units by 2010 to make it profitable, and the Mi.To is central to that goal. Alfa hopes to sell 70,000 to 75,000 units of the junior hatch, which goes on sale in European markets this July starting at Є16,000. Alfa hasn't officially confirmed that the new hatch will make it Stateside, but the Mi.To was reportedly engineered to meet U.S. safety and emissions regulations. While we wait for confirmation, you can check out the high-resolution images in the gallery below, and, as a special treat for all you Alfaphiles out there, a video after the jump.
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gorgeous, yes. US bound? NO. americans don't like hatchbacks (even hot hatches), wagons/estates, or minivans. the only hatch survivor is the Golf V
anything italian that doesn't say Lambroghini or Ferarri is still considered a piece of junk. no matter how high the quality went.

i would ADORE something small like this for runs in town, but by the time they get over here, they're 30-35k...and have a weenie little 10 gallon tank, thus rendering rural use unusable.
 
The US needs more hatchbacks. If companies start forcing them down their throats and gas prices get even higher American will buy them--and then they might see the light.

If people will spend $30k on that stupid new STi hatchback they will spend north of $28k for an ALFA which has actual petrolhead creditials--aka street cred.
 
Metar
And remember that the Alfa is no Mazda3 bread-and-butter hatch - it's a stylish premium-hatch like the Mini.
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Premium hatches are more hit-and-miss. The MINI and GTI are doing well. The A3 isn't. I guess we'll have to wait and see on this one. It might cost a little much for an "economical" car, but I think people will be hooked as soon as they see the body. It will also depend on what is under the sheetmetal too.
 
philly cheese
Premium hatches are more hit-and-miss. The MINI and GTI are doing well. The A3 isn't. I guess we'll have to wait and see on this one. It might cost a little much for an "economical" car, but I think people will be hooked as soon as they see the body. It will also depend on what is under the sheetmetal too.
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The A3 is not a stylish hatch. While the GTI is just a sporty car that looks normal, the A3 is the same car, but more expensive. People in the market for those cars are the type of guy who knows that stuff.

The Mini is what this car is gunning for, though. Same engine-power ranges, similar price, and a very chic styling. I meant stylish-retro-cool-premium, not expensive Golfs... ;)
 
philly cheese
Premium hatches are more hit-and-miss. The MINI and GTI are doing well. The A3 isn't. I guess we'll have to wait and see on this one. It might cost a little much for an "economical" car, but I think people will be hooked as soon as they see the body. It will also depend on what is under the sheetmetal too.
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I think the A3 isnt doing too well because they only offer the sportback in the US, and not the real A3 or the S3.

This could be one of the best alfas ever made, but then at the same time the drive might not match the looks like most of the alfa range is plagued with.
 
Metar
The A3 is not a stylish hatch. While the GTI is just a sporty car that looks normal, the A3 is the same car, but more expensive. People in the market for those cars are the type of guy who knows that stuff.
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I would consider them all to be premium hatches, which the Mi.To would fit into as well. There most certainly is a difference between a tight, leather clad GTI/A3 and a regular Golf with cheap suspension and "normal" everything else.

The Mini is what this car is gunning for, though. Same engine-power ranges, similar price, and a very chic styling. I meant stylish-retro-cool-premium, not expensive Golfs... ;)
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It will depend on where the car starts price-wise. If the car costs around that $28k that JCE mentioned, it might be better to compare it to the A3 in terms of placement in relation to other vehicles of the same size. In this country at least, people won't be ready to pay that kind of money for the already dreaded hatchback over something with four doors and a trunk sticking out the back. If they can keep the prices down, then yes I would say the Mi.To stands a good chance, based on looks and engine ratings alone.

forza2.0
I think the A3 isnt doing too well because they only offer the sportback in the US, and not the real A3 or the S3.
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How well does the rest of the A3 range sell in Europe? There I would imagine it to be more premium compared to all the other hatchbacks over there.
 
It's a great looking little car, but too small for me, lovely as a second car though. I've been driving Alfa's for years (currently a 1.8 156 SW) and I love those cars. Great handling, great looking and just plain fun to drive. :p
 
philly cheese
I would consider them all to be premium hatches, which the Mi.To would fit into as well. There most certainly is a difference between a tight, leather clad GTI/A3 and a regular Golf with cheap suspension and "normal" everything else.



It will depend on where the car starts price-wise. If the car costs around that $28k that JCE mentioned, it might be better to compare it to the A3 in terms of placement in relation to other vehicles of the same size. In this country at least, people won't be ready to pay that kind of money for the already dreaded hatchback over something with four doors and a trunk sticking out the back. If they can keep the prices down, then yes I would say the Mi.To stands a good chance, based on looks and engine ratings alone.



How well does the rest of the A3 range sell in Europe? There I would imagine it to be more premium compared to all the other hatchbacks over there.
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Golf sells big time in europe, the A3 also sells very well, outselling bmws 1 series and mercedes c class compact.

I think this alfa is more polo/mini sized though so might not compete directly.
 
What more bodystyles of the A3 are there? I mean, put a trunk on it, and it's an A4...
 
Jim Prower
What more bodystyles of the A3 are there? I mean, put a trunk on it, and it's an A4...
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Exactly which is why I dont know why they even bother to sell the sportback in the US when for a little more money you might aswell just get the A4.

There are currently 3 body styles. Next generation could see 5 to 6.
 
But what are they? I can't fathom what else they could do to that car, other than the Cabrio.
 
forza2.0
I think this alfa is more polo/mini sized though so might not compete directly.
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I was just trying to attempt to predict the success of this car based on what happens in the class above it. Sorry if I confused anybody.
 
Random pluck of oddball comment...

... hey, what's wrong with plastic body panels?

Have you ever seen a Corvette? Any Corvette? Ever?

Aston Martin Vanquish/DB9/Vantage not good enough for you?

It is an engineering material. If wood, blancmange or Jennifer Aniston's toe-jam was better for the task in hand, they'd use that instead.
 
Venari
Random pluck of oddball comment...

... hey, what's wrong with plastic body panels?

Have you ever seen a Corvette? Any Corvette? Ever?

Aston Martin Vanquish/DB9/Vantage not good enough for you?

It is an engineering material. If wood, blancmange or Jennifer Aniston's toe-jam was better for the task in hand, they'd use that instead.
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because plastic=cheap


amrica has certian standards and expectations when it comes to something like this, and remembers EVERY piece of crap that rolls off the boat*cough*Yugo*cough*...which is why Hyundai's still have a rep.
 
The 'Vette is made of plywood, fiberglass, plastic, and held together with fun tack. :lol:

Weren't Yugos metal?
 
Sniffs
gorgeous, yes. US bound? NO. americans don't like hatchbacks (even hot hatches), wagons/estates, or minivans. the only hatch survivor is the Golf V
anything italian that doesn't say Lambroghini or Ferarri is still considered a piece of junk. no matter how high the quality went.
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Alfa has more history and class than Lamborghini. Im sure even Americans know that.
 
Assuming that the Mi.To could come to the US at a base price somewhere around $18-20K, I have little doubt that they'd be able to sell 5-10K per year. All of this, of course, depends on what kind of dealer network they plan on having in time for their US launch later this year/early next. Going out of Maserati dealers won't work, they're going to have to branch out a bit.

A highly stylized, fuel-efficent, fun-to-drive car will sell in spades in the US if they can do it for the right price. Anythings better than the A3 and the outrageously priced Volvo C30, and I think this could make a splash in the market, albeit, not nearly as large as the Cooper.
 
SagarisGTB
Alfa has more history and class than Lamborghini. Im sure even Americans know that.
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history has nothing to do with it, actually. it's "once bit, screw you" with most manufacturers, 8C Competizione aside.
we get junk once...forget it, your rep is permanently shot. if they try to put a common alpha over here, all people will remember is the bad ones.
 
What? I disagree... Most people don't even remember Alfa Romeos in the first place. Sure, they'll see the one from The Graduate and be like "awwww," but as for the rest? Not so much.

Average people will judge it on looks, its as simple as that. Its part of the reason why the New Beetle and Cooper were instant successes. The same reason why this car would likely do the same...
 

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