What most of you have become to know as the Junior but what Alfa Romeo decided to call “Mi.To”, was officially unveiled today following a late night leak yesterday (see here). Measuring in at 4.06 metres long, 1.44 metres high and 1.72 metres wide, the Mi.To is a direct hit to BMW’s highly successful MINI hatch that will be introduced in international markets (not the US though..) this July.

Based on the underpinnings of the Fiat Grande Punto, the Mi.To is the first new Alfa Romeo to be built since the 8C Competizione. The latter, clearly inspired the Mi.To’s designers with its rounded body and lights and aggressive lines. In all, the Mi.To is one sexy mini hatch that will definitely win buyers with its styling. We don’t have any images of the interior yet, but we’re pretty certain that Alfa won’t disappoint us.

Alfa Romeo’s initial press release is quite vague in terms of the mechanical details, as the Italians just note that the Mi.To will be powered by a turbocharged range of petrol and diesel engines spanning 90-155 Hp, with more higher powered versions following latter on. –More pics and details after the jump

PRESS RELEASE:

Alfa Mi.To: World Premiere

With the imminent arrival of its new Mi.To, Alfa Romeo will soon be offering a new generation of Alfa aficionados its most compact sporty car to date.

A contemporary and innovative design, with a name redolent of history, the choice of Mi.To has great evocative resonance for Alfa Romeo, since it was chosen as a sign of a deep-seated link between the past and future of the brand: between Milan, the city of design that brought the car’s style into being, and Turin, which will be responsible for its industrial production. This decision highlights the brand’s strong desire to consolidate its Milanese roots.

The Mi.To is the first new Alfa Romeo to be built since the 8C Competizione, Alfa Romeo’s icon of style and technology, from which it borrows certain characteristic traits: the particular shape of the frameless side windows, the distinctive frontal treatment, the shape of the headlights and the LED tail lights. The headlights and tail lights represent a distinctive personalised feature: the front and rear lighting surrounds exhibit different forms of material processing and colours, which will allow customers to create an ultra-stylish ‘eye-liner’ effect that underscores the car’s style and assertiveness.

The highly ‘personal’ dashboard and seats ensure that the interior represents the ultimate expression of Italian style: welcoming yet sporty, with top-quality materials and close attention to detail; all wrapped in a compact and dynamic shape – Mi.To is 4.06 metres long, 1.44 metres high and 1.72 metres wide.

Performance and technology must always be top-of-the-range in an Alfa Romeo. As with all the brand’s models, the Mi.To is able to appeal to the most demanding customers with its exciting driveability, a factor which is determined in part by Alfa’s new DNA system. This driver-operated system acts directly on the engine, brakes, steering, suspension and gearbox, allowing three different vehicle behaviour modes based on the driving style best suited to the situation or the customer’s wishes: sporting (Dynamic), town driving (Normal), maximum safety even in difficult grip conditions (All-Weather). Mi.To is the first car in its segment to offer such innovative technological content.

Strong performance is guaranteed by a turbocharged range of petrol and diesel engines spanning 90-155bhp, with the range due to be extended by higher powered versions.

Performance and handling have been developed and optimised to offer maximum driving satisfaction in complete safety. The Mi.To offers a true Alfa Romeo sporting set-up, featuring contractive suspensions – standard on all specifications and engines – that minimise roll and offer maximum active, passive and preventive safety. Alfa Romeo’s specially developed VDC stability system is fitted as standard, and the vehicle structure is already designed to obtain a top Euro ncap crash safety rating in the future.

The Alfa Mi.To will be introduced to the international press during June and will then be gradually introduced from July in all the major markets.