Annie Binns | Life in the Fun Lane

On June 19, 2008, Alfa Romeo officially entered  the supermini class with the MiTo.  Originally shown as the "Junior" earlier this year, the MiTo is named for its design shop in Milan, and its production shop in Torino.  When it hits the US market in 2009, it’s expected to be priced a bit less than the Mini, at around $21,000.

In order to meet Italian legislation regarding new drivers, the entry-level MiTo has a 1.4-liter engine with a top speed of 165 km/h (103 m/h).  Luckily, the rest of us can purchase the 1.4-liter turbo which tops out at 215 km/h (135 m/h) or the 1.6-liter JTDM (Fiat’s MultiJet Turbo Diesel) engine which reaches a quite respectable 198 km/h (123 m/h) top speed.

The aerodynamic curviness of this three-door Alfa is accented by the extended wheel wells, tear-drop headlights and LED taillights that leave figments of red trailing behind it at night (or so I imagine).  Alfa introduced six new colors with this model, including the one I’m going to order:  a midnight black with a micalised red undercoat that gleams through like rubies in the sunlight.

Before you start thinking this isn’t a family car, I have to mention that the back seats are equipped with child safety seat attachments and a third-seat option is available to fit a family of five.  There is also a healthy amount of luggage room in the back, which expands if you leave three of your five people at home.

This car also represents the introduction of the "Alfa D.N.A." system (Dynamic, Normal, All-Weather).  This allows the driver to select between driving conditions that adjust the engine, brakes, steering, suspension and gearbox.  Dynamic mode reduces the power steering assistance and increases the engine response, even engaging in the boost-mode with the turbo or JTDM models.  All-Weather mode puts more traction control at your service and makes the vehicle easier to handle in "low grip" (rain, snow, ice) situations.

I could go on about the suspension, the coilover springs that make this car corner like the inside wheels were tacked to the road, the safety features, the ABS system with sensors for each wheel, the "smart" air bag system, 36-50 mpg fuel economy, Bose® sound system, or the automatic dual-zone climate system, but I won’t.  Suffice to say that this little beauty is on my short list for 2009.  I’ll be first in line for a test-drive!