Alfa Romeo Junior - Any info on it?

[Fiddlemesticks]

Now i wouldnt normally buy a new car, let alone an Alfa brand new, but this looks like it will be a fantastic little car, and i'm very tempted.

However, all i see are pre-production concept pictures with very little info.

Has anyone got any more info and also what is the general impression of it?

[Wombat Rick]

No official news yet. Still a way off, especially for UK launch - probably mid 2009.

[V6Alfisti]

http://www.progetto955.it/

I think these will be using the new Fiat group engines (1.4/1.8 turbo) that were designed by a ferrari engineer.

Then I am sure Alfa will play with them a little as well

Apparently this is it ! (Confirmed by people who have seen in the flesh)

http://www.autoblog.it/post/12953/nuovi-render-del...

[pixelpimp]

Oh goody another VX corsa, twingo clone.

[KANEIT]

pixelpimp said:

Oh goody another VX corsa, twingo clone.

No, much more classy than them!

[jacobyte]

V6Alfisti said:

http://www.progetto955.it/

I think these will be using the new Fiat group engines (1.4/1.8 turbo) that were designed by a ferrari engineer.

Then I am sure Alfa will play with them a little as well

Apparently this is it ! (Confirmed by people who have seen in the flesh)

http://www.autoblog.it/post/12953/nuovi-render-del...

That's a real shame. Taking such strong design cues from the 147 and 8C for this car devalues all 3 of them. All car manufacturers have been doing that "homogenising" with their ranges, and now Alfa are joining in, having managed to stay away from it unow. It's damn lazy, and one of the main reasons why I have no interest in cars like Mercedes, Ford, Porsche, etc.

I hope the real thing has more of its own identity.

[V6Alfisti]

Actual picture

http://www.progetto955.it/wp-content/uploads/2008/...
http://www.progetto955.it/wp-content/uploads/2008/...

Edited by V6Alfisti on Friday 14th March 09:37

[isuk]

The new EU pedestrian impact rules are really giving new cars a horrendously bulbous front side profile and this car looks somewhat bizarre as a result. Why didn't they just bring back the Green Cross Code public information films to tell people to watch where they are going when crossing a road rather than come up with this daft directive? Those films were effective and still remembered by the generations brought up on them. I heard Dave Prowse on the radio a few months back (he was the Green Cross Man and also played Darth Vader) who quoted stats showing just how successful a campaign it was before Government funding was pulled.

[DavidCane]

Someone from Mangoletsi has posted on another forum that there will be a 230bhp 1.8 turbo version. Now that's kinda tempting

[isuk]

It's called the MiTo - short for Milano Torino. More here http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/14/alfa-romeo-releases-the-new-mi-to/ 

[Fiddlemesticks]

hmm, i like that. Presume the lower powered versions wont have the blistered arches and will look a bit week.

However i am very tempted by it. Anyone else?

[_dodge_]

I've started saving already. I just hope we don't have to wait too long for a GTA version

[flattotheboards]

DavidCane said:

Someone from Mangoletsi has posted on another forum that there will be a 230bhp 1.8 turbo version. Now that's kinda tempting

That sounds great.

[V6Alfisti]

Mi.To engines
1.4 MPI 95hp
1.4 Multiair 105hp
1.4 TB Multiair 135hp
1.4 TB 155hp
1.4 TB Multiair 165hp
1.6 JTD 120hp
1.8 TB JTS 230hp

[soxlade]

Built on the Grande Punto floorpan, which is probably another factor to the nose looking a bit ... short.

However this is a pretty good thing as the Grande Punto is a decent sized car - the 1.4 turbo unit is a decent laugh and the Arbarth Grande Punto is gathering plaudits all over the place.

The Arbarth Grande Punto has the 1.4l Turbo unit (but still produces 180Bhp in EsseEsse guise). God alone knows what the 1.8 will do, though I suspect Alfa will make it a little less manic. Still 250+ Bhp - mate that with the Q2 Torsen system Alfa have and you'll have an impressively quick hot hatch that'll look classy on the drive (Vauxhall VXR look awful IMHO).

Also it'll be bigger than Twingo/Corsa as it's based on Grande Punto - so in theory should be taking on the Golf? Anyone any ideas? Where would that leave the 147 replacement?

[jamieboy]

soxlade said:

Also it'll be bigger than Twingo/Corsa as it's based on Grande Punto - so in theory should be taking on the Golf? Anyone any ideas? Where would that leave the 147 replacement?

Isn't the Bravo the Golf equivalent, and the Grande Punto more like the Polo?

The Mi.To seems to be a slightly smaller replacement for the 3-door 147 and the 149 will be a slightly larger replacement for the 5-door 147.

[soxlade]

jamieboy said:

Isn't the Bravo the Golf equivalent, and the Grande Punto more like the Polo?

The Mi.To seems to be a slightly smaller replacement for the 3-door 147 and the 149 will be a slightly larger replacement for the 5-door 147.

Of course - *slaps head* - I forgot about the Bravo. That'd be right: 500/Panda - Grande Punto - Bravo - Croma = Mi.To - 147/149 - 159 - 166 replacement = Fox - Polo - Golf - Passat = Twingo - Clio - Megane - Laguna etc ad infinitum

Despite being in the hunt for a Panda 100Hp at the moment, I know what I'd rather be looking at on my drive

[DJC]

230BHp version of that = New Integrale and yes pls, I want one!