Alfa Romeo’s Mini-rivalling Mito has made its world debut at the British motor show, with prices that are set to undercut the British car.
Prices will kick off at £10,975 for the 95bhp 1.4 Turismo model, rising to £14,975 for the turbocharged 155bhp 1.4 TB Veloce. BMW’s entry-level 95bhp Mini One costs £11,925.
UK order books for the Mito will open in October, before the first deliveries in January 2009.There will be a total of five engines, two petrol and two diesels. Aside from the entry 95bhp petrol unit, there are also two turbocharged 1.4-litre units delivering 120bhp and 155bhp. The two diesel engines are a 90bhp 1.3 and a 120bhp 1.6.
The three trim levels will be Turismo, Lusso and Veloce. All version get seven airbags, manual air-con, ESP and the Q2 electronic traction control.
The Alfa ‘DNA’ switch is also standard. Mounted on the centre console, this three-position switch alters the ECU mapping and offers Dynamic, Normal and All-weather set-ups.
Lusso models add a carbonfibre dash finish, leather steering wheel and 16in alloys, while the range-topping Veloce spec gets ‘Sports cloth’ trim, 17in alloys, rear spoiler, sports bumper design, sports instruments and red brake calipers.
Alfa bosses told Autocar that the Mito "is an important model" because it is "the first step in a brand relaunch" that will reach its peak on 21 June 2010, Alfa’s 100th anniversary. The company says it will launch more new products – ultimately intended for global markets - between now and 2010 that it has in the last 10 years.
Alfa expects to make 80,000 Mitos in a full year, with 60,000 destined for Europe and 8500 for the UK.
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