Car Throttle

On Tuesday, it was reported that the Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA was on "hold", possibly cancelled for good due to problems in working out the business case for a performance model. An unnamed Alfa Romeo spokeswoman was quoted saying: “The MiTo GTA has been put on hold. It’s hard to justify building such as high performance car at this present time as the financial crisis means that its not economically viable. And, sadly, it may never be.” The MiTo GTA originally made an appearance as a concept at the Geneva Auto Show, supposedly offering a preview of the near-identical production version to follow. Could it have been just that Alfa Romeo was trying to build buzz with that comment? Who knows. But I did say that I thought there

*Sighs* Thanks, economy! Looks like the production Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA that debuted in concept form at the Geneva Auto Show has been put on ice. To me, Alfa Romeo is all about high performance. The MiTo is no doubt good looking but a dose of more sportiness would be much welcomed. I can see the positive press now, magazines fawning over the new MiTo GTA. But alas, according to Alfa Romeo it is not to be. The GTA model would have vaulted the MiTo to the top of the hot hatch class. Styling was to be much more aggressive, along with the suspension tightened and handling improved. Where the action really was though was under the hood. The GTA was to have a 1.6 liter 4-cylinder

Thanks, Alfa Romeo! They've released three teasers of their upcoming hot hatch, one which reveals nearly the entire vehicle. It should help further the MiTo in it's pursuit of BMW's ever popular Mini. There is the full image of the car released by the company. I'm surprised to see they'd reveal so much, and even more surprised at the overall pace of leaks and teaser releases by the various auto company's ahead of the Geneva Show. Anyhow, the MiTo GTA ups the sports ante considerably with an altered, more agressive stance, new wheels and flared fender arches. Suspension changes include high-tech coilover springs and McPherson struts up front. Alfa Romeo has always tried to link the MiTo with it's top end sports car the 8C Competizione, with various photoshoots and advertisements placing