03 March 2009 - 11:00
Geneva show: Alfa Mito GTA
Alfa unveiled the MiTo GTA today, and it's a little cracker. Officially it's still only a concept, so some of its bits and pieces might go by the time it fizzles into reality. But if it looks anything like this, we'll be happy.
Everything you see is functional - from the rear diffuser to the carbon fibre roof and wing mirrors. And those twin-exit exhausts look like a couple of ballistic weapons, which is great news for people who like noise.
Official power figures have been announced, too. It will make 240bhp from its little 1.75-litre turbocharged engine, the same one that's in the MiTo already, only tuned up to squeeze out more performance.
No sign of a special front diff to filter that power to the road surface, though. We always suspected the GTA might be a little torque steery and now those suspicions have been confirmed.
Instead, Alfa is relying on a new active damping system to make sure things don't get too lairy. It will work with the MiTo's ‘DNA' system, which alters steering and throttle severity depending on road conditions and your driving mood.
So if you got out of the hooligan side of bed this morning, you're in luck - this one's for you. Let's just hope the production version is as cool as this.
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Normally i'd be all for it. Except my car just failed its MOT this morning due to very worn tyres. And the car is fitted with high performance Yokohamas, so they're not cheap. So i'm switching to 'well-behaved, economy mode' until i forget about the expense. :)
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And besides, if it hasn't got the cloverleaf, it's not a 'hot alfa' at all. :)
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it kind of looks stupid.... like an annoying bug you'd like to swat with a newspaper.....
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It's the angle of view that makes it look bad on this picture. Otherwise it's hot and I think worth buying.
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It's the angle of view that makes it look bad on this picture. Otherwise it's hot and I think worth buying.
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I'm sorry, 240BHP, in something that small, methinks this will be faster than that Focus RS and the Megane RS!
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this looks great fun
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I'm more interested in that beuty in the background!
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RE:Turbomatic Well, it probably won't
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Oh no, it's going to torquesteer... Not going to be as good as the Abarth 500, even with the Fiat only making 160bhp at most. Not gonna live up to the Giulia Sprint GTA behind it either.
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How can top gear like this so much it's soooo ugly!
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Why is it always msn cars that posts up 80 small photos of car show models! I want full screen images dammit! Models play an integral part in injecting glamour and sex appeal at these events. I salute them (apart from the dodgy looking ones). :|
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Another thing, pass judgement when someone has reviewed the damn car! The thing hasn't been driven yet.
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Top Gear like becasue its An "Alfa Romeo", i do like some of the cars that they have created, but this one is Dissapointing =( I'd rather take the Fiat 500 Abarth.
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what is with the ramdom bulge on the bonnet over the wiper makes it look stupid. Prefer abarths like A4RON said. Personally punto abarth everytime over the 500 abarth I also prefer the ford focus RS and the Renault Megane RS aswell
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You know it's probably not a good idea to bring out a new model who's front looks like it has already bitten into a LEMON. I think the designsers could have come up with something better.
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I like it in red, it's too rounded and compact not to look "mozzarella" in white :) ...but it's great to drive it, like a big kart. Of course, like with any car this size, if you brake late in a dirty bend get prepared to a wicked fast countersteer, but if the tyres are good it stabilizes and doesn't bounce around (which is what the golf does, for instance). This to me is more important than torquesteer, since hills around my area are exactly like England, drive-wise. And deers love crossing them.
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The Mito looks just a Alfa 8c. Like a compressed version..
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FabiennePayet commented on this article
03 March 2009
Can't help it but I'm not too fond of it somehow...
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