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New for 2011 

The Chrysler/Fiat alliance means the introduction of several popular small cars in Europe that will be reconfigured to appeal to American drivers. Should the Alfa Romeo MiTo see production, it will pit Chrysler against some of the luxurious small cars like the Volkswagen GTI or Volvo C30, but especially the MINI Cooper, the car the MiTo is most often compared with. Alfa Romeo chose the name MiTo to reflect the car's ancestry, as it was designed in Milan and built in Turino. 

The Alfa Romeo MiTo is a front-wheel drive two-door hatchback that shares a platform with the less-posh Fiat Grande Punto. The European MiTo comes with several engines, including a four-cylinder engine that makes 78 horsepower and a turbocharged four that makes 155 horsepower. 

What the Auto Press Says 

Chrysler/Fiat have not confirmed that the Alfa Romeo MiTo will sell in the United States, and there are no details on the car's prospective engineering or features. Nevertheless, auto writers are excited at the possibility of having the 2009 European Car of the Year on American roads. 

Here is what the press has to say about the 2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo: 

• Comparing the MiTo to the Honda Fit, Consumer Guide says, "the 2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo is about the same size as that Consumer Guide Best Buy Honda, but is trimmed and equipped to compete with upscale small cars like the BMW Mini. Styling takes cues from Alfa's exotic V8-powered 8C Competizione two-seaters, but engineering is fairly straightforward. The suspension, for example, comprises four coil springs, front struts and a rear twist-beam axle, while the steering is conventional rack-and-pinion, albeit with gas-saving electrohydraulic assist." -- Consumer Guide
• "Alfa serves up a nice little car that drives well. Looks a bit odd, but has character." -- Top Gear
• "Could you imagine a world where Chryslers looked like Alfas rather than the Sebring? Their dealers could only hope." -- Carspace

Key Details 

In Europe, the Alfa Romeo MiTo has three four-cylinder engines and a six-speed manual transmission. Early reports list an automated dual-clutch manual, anti-lock brakes, Bose audio and a navigation system among the U.S. MiTo's possible features. Safety features will probably include front-side, curtain-side and driver's knee airbags, as well as self-aligning front-head restraints. 

Stay tuned for more details on the 2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo.