Alfa Romeo MiTo

The Alfa Romeo MiTo (known internally as the type 955) is a three door sporty supermini officially introduced on June 19, 2008, at Castello Sforzesco in Milan, with an international introduction at the British Motor Show in 2008. The car was available in all Alfa's major markets in stages from July. The three-door hatchback is front-wheel drive and will be sold to compete with the MINI and the newer Audi A1. Designed by Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, the design is believed to be inspired by the 8C Competizione. The MiTo is built on Fiat Small platform used on Fiat Grande Punto, also employed by the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa D. The new car was provisionally named the "Junior". In 2007, a European competition was launched in which the public had a chance to name the car. The winner from each country could win an Alfa Romeo Spider or an Alfa Romeo mountain bike. The winning name was "Furiosa", which scored well in Italy, France, UK and Germany but not in Spain. However, on March 14, 2008, Alfa Romeo announced officially that the name would instead be 'MiTo', an abbreviation of the cities Milano (Milan) and Torino (Turin), because it was designed in the former and was to be assembled in the latter; the name is also a play on the Italian word "mito," meaning "myth" or "legend." The car has a new "Alfa DNA" system which allows the driver to choose between three different driving settings: Dynamic, Normal, and All-Weather. This system controls the behavior of the engine, brakes, steering, suspension and gearbox. The MiTo also features LED tail lights and 250-litre (8.8 cu ft) of luggage space. The MiTo also features a Q2 electronic differential on the front wheels, which allows for faster and tighter cornering without loss of traction. The aggressiveness of the differential is linked to the DNA switch.

The GTA (Gran Turismo Alleggerita), the sportiest version of the MiTo was unveiled in March 2009 Geneva Motor Show as a prototype. This version has 1.75 litre turbocharged engine with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing both inlet and exhaust. The choice of engine size is very significant - the 1750 DOHC inline 4 engine was the largest engine available in Alfa Romeos for many years, and therefore an association certain to be prized by Alfisti. Therefore, this particular displacement is certain t o guarantee sales among enthusiasts. The maximum power is 240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp).The MiTo GTA has top speed of 250 kilometres per hour (155 mph) and acceleration from zero to 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph) in 5 seconds. The weight of the GTA has been reduced by using carbon-fiber for the tailgate spoiler as well as roof and mirror fairings. Aluminium is also used to reduce the weight. The suspension is lowered by 20 millimetres (0.8 in) and the car has active rear suspension.In June 2008 former Alfa Romeo CEO Luca de Meo announced that an open-top MiTo Cabriolet would be added to the range in 2010.[The Quadrifoglio Verde (see Alfa Romeo in motorsport article for the history of this emblem) version of Mito was presented in 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The Quadrifoglio Verde (English: green four-leaf clover) has traditionally been the highest line of Alfa Romeo models. The QV version has the new 1.4 litre 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) Multiair engine and newly engineered suspension, steering and new six-speed C635 gearbox developed by Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT). The new multiair technology allows fuel consumption of 6 litres per 100 kilometres (47 mpg-imp; 39 mpg-US) in EU combined driving and CO2 emissions of 139 g/km.[In 2010 Alfa Romeo announced it would produce a limited 100 car series of Mitos to be distributed to Maserati dealerships in Europe. Maserati version MiTos feature same 125 kW (170 PS) engine as the Quadrifoglio Verde, new special leather interior with badging called Pelle Grau and exclusive blue paint Blu Oceano. Aluminium kickplates of the car bear words "Alfa Romeo for Maserati". The cars are to be used as courtesy cars for Maserati service customers very much like Ferrari version of Fiat 500.

A new transmission for the MiTo was unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the six speed TCT is produced by Fiat Powertrain Technologies in Verrone. Magneti Marelli delivers the control system which integrates BorgWarner's hydraulic actuation module into its own power and transmission control units. It can handle torque inputs of up to 350 N·m (260 lb·ft)In Geneva was also unveiled Blue&Me–TomTom, this new system integrates TomTom navigation to the Blue&Me infotelematic system. At launch the MiTo will feature low-displacement turbocharged petrol and diesel engines. Also, a power limited 79 PS (58 kW; 78 hp) naturally aspirated engine variant is produced to meet the new Italian legislation for young people. MiTo got new electro-hydraulic valve control system Multiair engines from September 2009. MultiAir engines will increase power (up to 10%) and torque (up to 15%), as well as a considerable reduction in consumption levels (up to 10%) and CO2 emissions (up to 10%), of particulates (up to 40%) and NOx (up to 60%). This new engine is available with 105 PS (77 kW; 104 bhp) ,135 PS (99 kW; 133 bhp) and 170 PS (125 kW; 168 bhp) power ratings. All multiair versions have start-stop system as standard. In October 2009 was unveiled a dual fuel MiTo version, this version can run with LPG (Liquefied petroleum gas) or petrol, with this engine MiTo has range of 1,200 kilometres (750 mi). The LPG version is made colloboration with Landi Renzo. In Summer 2010 came available Dual Dry Clutch Transmission called Alfa TCT. From model year 2011 the start-stop system came as standard to all versions. In the Frankurt Motor Show 2011 was introduced two new engines for MiTo the 0.9 L TwinAir straight-2 and new low emission 85 PS (63 kW) version of 1.3 JTD diesel engine.The MiTo was awarded with five star result in Euro NCAP crash test. It has seven airbags as standard. The MiTo got also a ‘good’ or green result from the first ever made Euro NCAP's rear impact test (whiplash).