Good news for fans of Italian thoroughbreds – next summer there’ll be a new competitor in the premium hot hatch market, and that will be the gorgeous Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA.
If you haven’t already seen it, the MiTo is Alfa Romeo’s new supermini that is due to hit UK showrooms early next year. Pitched below the 147, it’s aimed squarely at the MINI. If it’s a straight fight on looks alone, the MiTo will win without breaking a sweat.
The MiTo GTA will use a turbocharged 1750cc engine with direct injection and variable valve timing to generate upwards of 230bhp, which takes it straight into the hot hatch premier league. Never mind the supermini-sized competition, the MiTo GTA will be taking the fight to the bigger family hatchbacks such as the Focus ST, Astra VXR and Leon Cupra.
The engine size is no coincedence, being the same capacity as used by the beautiful Alfa Romeo Giulia and Giuliettas back in the 1960s.
If the MiTo is to be a success it will need to steal some sales from the MINI, but being an Alfa Romeo it will most likely have more discerning customers – I can’t see many estate agents running to the Alfa Romeo showrooms as they have done with the MINI, and that’s got to be a good thing.
No official word on prices yet, but expect the MiTo GTA to be pretty close to the MINI Cooper S at £16,245.
