Wednesday 23rd July 2008

Motor Show: Alfa MiTo

First UK look for MiTo - GTA version on the way

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Alfa MiTo

Alfa's compact MiTo has made its public debut at the British Motor Show but PistonHeads has learnt that a high-performance GTA version is almost ready. An insider who has driven the car said sit has 220bhp and is like a 'RenaultSport Clio 197 on acid'. The car will also feature huge wheels and a body kit and will be a direct competitor for the MINI Cooper S.

At the Motor Show Alfa is displaying two MiTos - a 1.4-litre petrol and a diesel - and nearby was the 8C, which the company says inspired the styling of its supermini. The MiTo features neat frameless side windows and LED tail lights and is the first compact Alfa for 35 years. It goes on sale in the UK in January next year.

8C Spider

Alfa was also displaying a stunning white 8C Spider which, like the hard-top version, sold out almost as soon as it was launched.

[iain_cam]

Has Alfa announced UK MiTo prices for the entire range yet?

[Neomagic]

Looks good, apart from looking fat and the wheels don’t sit far enough inside the body of the car.

It almost looks as though the wheels where an afterthought.

[fairplay101]

"nearby was the 8C, which the company says inspired the styling of its supermini."

Seriously?!?!

[Baked_bean]

Im a fan of the looks of the MiTo, it has lots of nice sweeping curves and a fairly unfussy aesthetic and at the very least its far better than all the lardy hatchbacks on the market at the moment(im looking at you vauxhall and ford)

[chunkymonkey71]

I like the mito, but it looks a bit like a Seat Leon thats been crashed into at both ends...

[danlindfield]

Yep..... prices are available on www.mangoletsi.com but it only gives a brief mention of spec. No info on options etc.

[RB Will]

Think you guys need to get to specsavers. Its hideous. The 8C is rather lovely though

[Snoggledog]

Hm.. I'm not too sure about that yet. It looks a little like it's been squashed a bit with some dodgy looking lights slapped on.

But.. being a fan (although never an owner) of Alfas I'll reserve judgement until I see one in the flesh.

[gezkc]

fairplay101 said:

"nearby was the 8C, which the company says inspired the styling of its supermini."

Seriously?!?!

I don't think they're claiming it's anywhere near as good looking as the 8C, but there's certainly plenty of 8C design cues about the front and rear ... looks a little like an 8C that's been in a front and rear shunt!

[morgrp]

Topgear called it a minger - It might not be the sexiest Alfa ever made but I am struggling to see why they thinks its so ugly??

[general190]

GTA Version sounds v.interesting!! provided that it is cheeper than the Mini! it doesnt look as good as the mini, yes i know its an alfa but you have to admit it does have a few funny dimentions. But if it does have 220bhp it will def b worth a look in my book!

[fluffyducky]

Yummy!

[Matt_]

How the company that can produce one of the best looking cars in the world can then go on to make the MiTO I just dont know!

[errek72]

morgrp said:

Topgear called it a minger - It might not be the sexiest Alfa ever made but I am struggling to see why they thinks its so ugly??

Perhaps they're comparing it to an 8C, or a 159, or a 147. In which case, I'd say it's a minger as well.

Then again I struggle to find any supermini pretty.. or perhaps the Fiat Punto. Which underlines the question why we should buy a Mito when a Punto is perfectly fine, and cheaper to boot?

[Tahiti]

I think it looks great in the pics. Can't wait to see one close up.

[GF350]

'Topgear called it a minger - It might not be the sexiest Alfa ever made but I am struggling to see why they thinks its so ugly??'

http://www.mangoletsi.com/content/i/Alfa%20Mito%20...

Maybe they saw the front of it.

I think it will grow on me though, and its 'different'.

Edited by GF350 on Wednesday 23 July 13:04

Edited by GF350 on Wednesday 23 July 13:05

[men3cac]

was the 145 not a compact alfa???

[ian_c_uk]

The hatch does nothing for me but this...




..I like very much!

[jamesgrrr]

men3cac said:

was the 145 not a compact alfa???

good point, it was definately compact - shared the floorplan as the fiat tipo.

as to why you would buy a mito over a fiat, the same applies as to why you'd buy an Alfa 145 over a Fiat Tipo..

[endorium]

Looks great i think. Something very different to whats on offer.
You can see this next point as a plus or minus but the longer you drive it the faster it will go as you will be dropping parts off the car!
I have owned 2 alfas and despite having a lot of problems with one of them it does not put me off to much.
Never understood why they cannot fix reliability and build issues? Its been the case for years. If they fixed those issues they could kill the german competition.