The French group's Ledorga decision to name the Alfa Romeo MiTo the "Gay Car of the Year" seems to lose ground in face of the Italian manufacturer's determination to make the model an European hit.
Alfa Romeo is preparing a GTA version of the controverted MiTo which will be unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. In line with the famous Gran Turismo Alleggerita (GTA) signature, the MiTo GTA Concept prioritizes weight reduction and an optimum power to weight ratio.
The car's aggressiveness comes from a centre of gravity that was lowered by 20 mm and by including certain components such as the tailgate spoiler, roof and mirror fairings into the carbon-fiber body. Under the hood lies a 1.8l compact new petrol engine that employs direct injection, dual variable valve timing, turbocharging and advanced electronic management systems. Thanks to it all, the engine produces 240 horsepower.
Front suspension employs new geometry with aluminum leading arms, while the rear suspension has new bushings. The revised chassis boasts an ‘active’ suspension system with advanced damper control which counteracts the transfer of load under acceleration, stiffening the rear end and maximizing traction.
The suspension also interacts with the braking system and steering to obtain the most efficient control of vehicle dynamics, while a ‘Sky-Hook’ function ensures passenger comfort under conditions of everyday use.
Whether you like the car or not is a matter of personal taste. Seen from the back, the GTA will surely impress you. This changes as soon as you start to go round the vehicle. The side of the MiTo presents you with an odd mixture of an aggressive hatchback at the rear and a not so impressive vehicle at the front.
The feeling you get from watching the car changes entirely when you look at it from the front. It's like a Fiat 500 was asked on a date with an Alfa 147, went to dinner, had you know what and nine months later (or whatever the usual gestation period for a car is) the GTA was born.
Alfa Romeo is preparing a GTA version of the controverted MiTo which will be unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. In line with the famous Gran Turismo Alleggerita (GTA) signature, the MiTo GTA Concept prioritizes weight reduction and an optimum power to weight ratio.
The car's aggressiveness comes from a centre of gravity that was lowered by 20 mm and by including certain components such as the tailgate spoiler, roof and mirror fairings into the carbon-fiber body. Under the hood lies a 1.8l compact new petrol engine that employs direct injection, dual variable valve timing, turbocharging and advanced electronic management systems. Thanks to it all, the engine produces 240 horsepower.
Front suspension employs new geometry with aluminum leading arms, while the rear suspension has new bushings. The revised chassis boasts an ‘active’ suspension system with advanced damper control which counteracts the transfer of load under acceleration, stiffening the rear end and maximizing traction.
The suspension also interacts with the braking system and steering to obtain the most efficient control of vehicle dynamics, while a ‘Sky-Hook’ function ensures passenger comfort under conditions of everyday use.
Whether you like the car or not is a matter of personal taste. Seen from the back, the GTA will surely impress you. This changes as soon as you start to go round the vehicle. The side of the MiTo presents you with an odd mixture of an aggressive hatchback at the rear and a not so impressive vehicle at the front.
The feeling you get from watching the car changes entirely when you look at it from the front. It's like a Fiat 500 was asked on a date with an Alfa 147, went to dinner, had you know what and nine months later (or whatever the usual gestation period for a car is) the GTA was born.