Novitec Spices up the Alfa Romeo MiTo

The German tuner of Italian hardware, Novitec, has developed a comprehensive modification package for the new Alfa Romeo MiTo sport hatchback with power and styling treatments. Novitec offers upgrades for three MiTo engines, the most powerful being the 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline unit that gains a 31HP and 30Nm bump for an overall output of 186HP and 260Nm of torque. The result is a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time in 7,4 seconds, or 0,6 seconds faster than the standard 155HP production model.

For the diesel models, Novitec's ECU kit boosts the 1.3-liter JTD's output from 90HP to 110HP while the 1.6-liter JTD delivers 144HP, up from 120HP. The tuner claims that peak torque is increased in both cases by around 50Nm. Tuned engines can also be upgraded with a sport rear muffler with one, two or four tailpipes.

Novitec also offers two suspension modification solutions, the first being a simple lowering kit that brings the MiTo 40mm closer to the road and the second, a stainless-steel coil-over suspension with adjustable ride height and adjustable dampers. The later gives the Alfa a tauter ride while allowing the driver to lower the car's ride height between 35mm and 65mm.

The shell of the Italian hatch has been adorned with a new bodykit that includes a three-piece front apron, side skirts, a rear apron with an integrated diffuser and a roof spoiler. A new set of 18-inch alloys available in silver or black finish fitted with 215/35 R18 Pirelli rubber finish off the look of the vehicle.

Alfa Romeo MiTo Confirmed for Australia, Sales Start in July

Alfa's new sporty hatchback, the MiTo, will be arriving on Australian shores this July, the Italian automaker announced today. In order to maintain a certain sporty pedigree, Alfa has decided to offer the MiTo in Australia only with the 1.4-liter turbocharged petrol engine, that will be available in two guises with 120HP (88kW) and 155HP (114kW), both matched to six-speed manual gearboxes. While the Italian carmaker has yet to announce pricing, the firm states that Aussie buyers will be 'pleasantly surprised".

"We cannot release the prices and specifications yet," said Edward Butler, General Manager for Alfa Romeo in Australia Edward Butler. "But Alfa Romeo has a real value for money reputation across its range, so not only do I think people will pleasantly surprised when we announce prices and specifications in July. I think anyone looking for a car that offers the blend of style, performance and luxury that sets all Italian cars apart from the rivals should wait until to July for MiTo."

In Europe, the MiTo is offered with a broader range of engines that include two entry level - yet asthmatic- 1.4-liter gasoline units with 78HP and 95HP as well as 1.3- and 1.6-liter turbodiesels producing 90 and 120HP respectively. Alfa's future plans include the introduction of a GTA model with a 240HP 1.8-liter turbo engine that was previewed in concept form earlier this year.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

UK: First Alfa Romeo Since the 33 to Cost Under £9,000

No, Alfa Romeo has not launched a new cut price version of its MiTo hatchback. Instead, the Italian firm published a clever press release pointing out that thanks to the UK Government's scrappage scheme that incentivizes motorists of cars aged 10 years or older to trade up to a brand new model with a £1,000 discount, the entry-level MiTo 1.4 16V Turismo now costs £8,995. According to the Italian firm, the last Alfa Romeo to be sold in Britain for under £9,000 was the five door Alfa 33 in 1989.

Not bad especially if you consider that even the basic MiTo comes equipped with many standard features such as air conditioning, electric power-assisted steering, alarm and immobiliser, electric windows, electrically adjustable door mirrors, LED rear lights, seven airbags, VDC (ABS + ASR + Brake Assist) with Hill Holder, and car radio with audio CD and MP3 reader.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

Alfa Romeo at the Paris Show: New Engine Options for Giulietta and Pretty Much Nothing Else

Unless Alfa Romeo has a very big surprise up its sleeves (which we certainly hope so given that the brand is celebrating its 100th birthday this year...), the only new models capable of capturing our attention at the Milanese firm's Paris Motor Show booth will be the usual 'female fatales' standing alongside their automobiles.

According to the company's press release, "the stars" of the Alfa Romeo stand will be the brand-new 140 HP 2.0 JTDM and the 170 HP 1.4 MultiAir turbo petrol with "Alfa TCT" automatic transmission versions of the Giulietta.

When equipped with the new 140-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo diesel, the Giulietta hatchback returns an average fuel consumption of just 4.5lt/10km (equal to 52.3mpg US) with corresponding CO2 emissions of 119g/km.

The second new product for the Giulietta range is the introduction of a dry twin clutch automatic transmission (TCT) combined with the 170 HP 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. The same transmission will also be offered with Alfa's 170HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel.

The brand-new Alfa TCT, which was first shown on the Mito supermini, is combined with start/stop tech that helps reduce CO2 emissions to 121g/km on the gasoline model.

On an even far less interesting note, Alfa Romeo will also show a couple of MiTo sport hatches and the 2011MY versions of the 159 sedan and Sportwagon (unveiled back in May), including one dressed in "Rosso Competizione" livery and equipped with the new 136-horsepower variant of the 2.0-liter JTDM diesel engine (Euro 5).