Many of you, our readers, were quick to point out the Alfa Romeo Milano showcased in the leaked factory spy shots shared one too many styling similarities with GM's forthcoming Opel Astra hatchback. Are we talking about a cloning case here? Absolutely not. Even though we only have these fuzzy photos of the Alfa to go by, the only way you're going to confuse these two cars is if you wasted your paycheck on drinks. But, we think that many of you caught on to something and by that we mean the styling of the rear quarters.
And oh, since we're all quick to jump in the bandwagon when we see a Chinese vehicle 'borrowing' styling traits from other cars it's only fair that we do the same with everyone else.
But before we go into any details, let us say that designs are not finalized in a matter of weeks so don't go and claim that Alfa 'plagiarized' Opel (unless you know something that none of the rest of us don't) just because the Astra made its debut first.
Truth to be said, when we compared the two cars side by side, we were quite amazed by the similarities in the design of the rear quarter panel and the rear-end. If we didn't know any better, we'd say that from the B-pillar and back, it's as if someone drew a rough sketch and gave it to two different design teams for further development: one from Germany and one from Italy.
Just look at the crisp belt-line and how it meets the corners of the same shaped tail lights, then pay attention to the window line, the C-Pillar, the wraparound rear windshield with the roof spoiler and even the styling of the rear bumper with the blacked out apron 'swoopy' curve line.
So in a nutshell, that's what we think. Time to agree, disagree or just simply have your say in the comment section below.





























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OMG!!!!!
[speechless...]
[breathless...!!!]
-Jorge
Alfa Romeo was always the Trensettingcompany that gave others the direction to go in terms of Design. Lots of Asians did copy, SEAT did, and even BMW with the serie 1, when you compare with the Alfa 147 on the profile.
This time, with the Mito I have no idea where Alfa goes... They have changed so many chief Designers since De Silva left, that ther is no more substance or continuity.
I think the Centro Stile lost all the left enthousiasm they had.
Mito is NOT a success (in Europe), neither the Milano will be.
It will be a good thing that they break their neck so they can come back with (as usual when they are their back on the wall), with masterpieces like 156 or 147.
It is better to ask Giugiaro, Pininfarina or Bertone to design their cars and Alfa concentrate on engines, handling and so...
I'm sick of these plagiarize comments being thrown about for the most minor of details! These cars have to fit certain criteria and fashions so of course there are going to be similarities!
If you look hard and long enough at anything you can claim the design has been ripped off from anything from a i-pod to a morphy richards sandwich maker!
There is a difference - Astra is far better looking car. Sad but true.
Wait wait wait for this..The Vauxhall which inspired this Alfa actually looks better than the Italian-styled Alfa! Guess there isn't much incentive to buy Alfas right now, with mediocre looks, mediocre driving dynamics and shoddy dealers.
let's go see it when it will rolls on street
When I first saw the new Astra I kept thinking they ripped off the new Renault Megane, so who is plagiarising who? The Alfa doesn't look good, but it maintains it's own character, even in the rear styling
This just goes to show that most cars these days are starting to look more and more generic.
all the european cars in that size look the same.
fiat stilo,renault megane...
like i said in the other posts about the chinese manufacturers....every manufacturer copies eachother and this goes to prove it....
btw...sorry to say but the Astra does look much better...but it ight be the shoddy pics of the alfa
wow....I never realized. Astra looks millions of lightyears better.
I thought that too once I saw it.
I think the Alfa also resembles a little the recent Subaru Impreza, nut in a more genuine way.
That said, could it be that the two casrs, the Milano and the Astra, shares the same platform?
I know every source will tell the same, but:
I happen to own a Fiat Stilo, and seriously, the previous gen Opel Astra is proportionally very similar, also, it uses some common components (as the internal front door panel).
Knowing the Fiats are based on the C (1 and 2) platform, and the GMs on the Delta (I and II) one, no one ever said the two aren't related.
Despite a lack of proof, I think they are since the Opel Stilo/Opel Astra, and it's going on with the present generations.
Hence the similarities in the back, which is also where the Milano resembles the most the Bravo despite using what they call a C-Evo platform, which should be basically a C3 one, being 90% new.
My 2 euro cents.
More of a comparison between the Opel and the new Ford Fiesta, rather.
clearly these designs are similar but personally i think the alfa looks much better
The Astra itself is in profile a clear copy of the SEAT Leon's design.
I 'm not sure about AR, I guess there must be lots of their fans out there ready to like every car they make, crappy or not...
I will certainly wait to see the official Alfa photos and the two cars alive on the streets...
Both copied the 2004 Mazda 3 rather, how 'inspiring design', see pictures:
http://www.capndesign.com/images/etc/mazda3-5door_0204.jpg
Nope. Neither the Mazda 3 itself was the original.
The truth is that the SEAT Leon should be grended the protoype design as it has been the evolution of the SEAT Salsa concept car back in the year 2000 (designed by Walter da Silva's guidance). That concept car was then supposed to inspire the design of the second generation SEAT Leon as it eventually did.
The MPV version of the Leon -named the Altea- was presented in 2004 to be followed by the Leon Mk2 itself in 2005. The Astra's profile is almost identical to the 2005 Leon, while the Mazda 3 only keeps some resemblance.
Da Silva worked for Italians, thus his design clues were all over Fiats and Alfas.
He then left to work for SEAT, and he now works for Audi too.
Opel is seeking new design identity, and Insignia was the key. Astra came as a derivative work, borrowing much from Insignia and others European cars and concepts. Astra shares design clues with Megane, as well as with old Astra, and yes, the rear lights look similar to Milano's but the rear underskirt and the rear window covered by a spoiler is Da Silva's work, best seen on SEAT Leon. What GM did with Astra is they designed Insignia as a nice and original sedan. For a hatch they just took the most popular design clues in the euro hot hatch market, modified those and applied to Insignia's base. Simple. At the meantime Centro Stile didn't know what has hit them, as Astra's renderings and scoops started to pop-up everywhere. But they'd rather have you guys talking about ripping off, than have the car's production delayed. Alfa at least took the job of keeping a car's looks secret longer than anyone else, while keeping the renderers away and on the wrong track.
By the time the SEAT Salsa concept car came out, Da Silva worked for SEAT, not for Fiat nor for AR.
The fact he is Italian makes no difference to the point that the design language is credited to the brand, not to the chief designer's nationality or to his home car manufacturer. The fact he previously worked for Fiat group is irrelevant since the SEAT Salsa car didn't have lots of things in common with its current AR's models, other than four wheels. If that is the case, AR should be blamed not only for the good but also for the bad, like the abomination called the Toledo Mk3 (being the MPV like version of the Leon) designed under Da Silva's influence.
I hope nobody expects others to believe that the Fiats or the ARs have the unique priviledge to claim for design authenticity. It has happened before, it is now SEAT's turn to do so with the Leon Mk2 .
The Spaniards of SEAT took the risk with the 2000 Salsa concept car and the 2005 Leon's radical design and they succeeded now being copied by others.
They also failed with the Toledo Mk3 but at least they did take the chances, so it will be quite fair to acknowledge them the right to claim for authenticity.
comment no.3 from top has hit.. the.. nail.. on.. the.. head.
All these cars are based of the Fiat Bravo, such Lancia Delta.
Dont forget that Alfa Romeo is leading in design, and it's quite obvious that the copy where is the Opel... but remember that Fiat Group is going to buy Opel.
I think all these cars are based on the VW Golf or the Audi A3.
Don't forget that Audi is leading in design, and it's obvious their influence over the design patterns of other german brands.
After all the VAG group has always been the greatest competitor next to Opel and the dominator of the German market.
They both look like the Mazda 3, so what's all the fuss about?
The Mazda 3 derives from the SEAT and the thing goes on...
RadeB
Which one is Opel,and which is Alfa? Opel looks much more dynamic,I certainly hope this is not the final version of Milano.We expected so much more,there are so much better looking studies on the Net,before these photos appears from the factory.What on earth happen,who was drawing that!!!
Has anyone noticed how the original Ford Focus influenced the Mazda 3, how the Seat Leon which has been around YEARS also has a similar profile to these and side and rear DLO graphics. The FIAT Bravo is another. What about the new model Renault Megane, it too have similar proportions and features? The next Focus is likely to have a similar look too. Each of these manufacturers is tied down by the same constraints. Passenger cell rigidity. Aerodynamics. Fuel Efficiency. Pedestrian protection. Interior accommodation. Luggage capacity. Etc. Is it really so unbelieveable that they might all begin to look alike? Perhaps they have all reached the same answer to the one question. The Alfa tail lights are an evolution of those on the 156, 147, 159 and Mito combined. The number plate aperature and bumper mounted reflectors are a development of a long established theme in Alfas. The proportions of the body are somewhat dictated by the fact that it is based closely on the FIAT Bravo. But the Alfa's styling has a history to it. You can trace the detailing back to earlier models. Where did the Astra's styling come from? The tail lights strike me as being a development of those on the Audi A3 (5Dr) Sporthatch or whatever it was called. They bear little or no resemblance to the earlier Astra. But here is something you may not have thought about. The current Opel Corsa shares its platform with the FIAT Grande Punto. That platform is also the basis for the Alfa Mito. The Corsa 5Dr's styling has influenced the styling of this latest Astra, and the Mito has influenced the styling of this Milano. So, perhaps that goes someway to explaining it.
Sorry,if you try to find logical explanation and you are rational,you simply don't understand Alfa Romeo.It is all about emotions,design before functionality,the thrill when you are looking at her (see the connections with the beautiful women ?).This car should NEVER look like Opel or Seat or Kia(!)...or anithing else but Alfa Romeo!
July 15, 2009
If you actually look at the Milano's design details, you'll see a lot of them are in the Mito, so maybe Opel are the copycats.
The lip on the bootlid and the curvey bumper,
the swoopy curved window which looks sporty is just a bigger version of Mitos,
rear lights are Mito on the edges and 159 in the middle,
the shoulder line and crease are straight from the Mito,
it has the Mito's doorhandles.
Platforms and basic body are to-day shared by many manufactories, 1. Fiat Grande Punto, Opel Corsa, Alfa MiTo, 2 Fiat Panda, Fiat 500, Ford Ka (the latter even build by Fiat at it's Polish factory) to name af few Fiat exampels, so why not Fiat Bravo, Alfa Milano, Lancia Delta and Opel Astra. Probably why Fiat is keen to buy Opel, as lots of share components (like Opel using Fiat diesel engines)
Erik
The Opel, will NEVER drive as good as the Milano.
I guess there are proportional and graphical similarities, I'm quite sure the surface treatment will be quite different.
I think the boot lid on the Alfa has a better solution than the Opel which looks like it's been kicked in...
http://www.autocritical.com/blog/2009/05/2010-opel-astra-%E2%80%93-the-designers-kicked-it-in-the-back/
The Opel, will NEVER look that UGLY as the Milano,
and who knows... it might even drive better!
Yea...maybe.....in another universe!!!
The ASTRA takes the trophy hands down.
Both front and side styling are superior to the boring ALFA and probably will sell for thousands less.
lol. Most of the cues found on the milano can be found on Alfas older than most of the companies you're mentioning.
Seeing the pictures side by side only made me think that the Milano might actually be a better looking car then any of these crappy cam pics would have me believe initially..
But it's funny the side by side pics look almost nothing alike, apart from them being 4 door hatches. Look at the simple rear door on the Opel, now look at the lines of the Milano's... That's sick, not to mention no rear door handle, ala 156...
The high waist line at the rear? Alfa has been doing that for years.. the AlfettaGT/Gtv6 (giugiaro) had this 30 years ago.
simple fiat bravo 2006 3 years later opel brings this copy then the alfa millano is also built on bravos design so there all cleared up/plus alfa look so hot and opel looks also kinda like a mazda 3,fiat bravo,peugeot 307 and the back lights (opel astra) looks like 2005 audi a4..............................(point proven
Fiat-GM MIDDLE -RANGE ARCHITECTURE ?
Fiat and General Motors will develop a third common platform to replace the Fiat Stilo in 2007 and the Opel Astra about 2010.
Fiat Auto CEO Giancarlo Boschetti said the "Middle-range" architecture aimed at the biggest segment in western Europe would give the two partners a platform with annual volume of about 1 million units.
The projected volume would approach that of the Volkswagen group's A3 platform - 1.1 million units last year. It would also surpass that of the PSA/Peugeot-Citroen P2 platform and Nissan-Renault's shared platform debuting at September's Paris auto show with the second-generation Megane.
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/7742/immaginembr.jpg
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/1018/1494ruote2.jpg
best idea to by VOLVO C30, than this ugly cars.
the Astra looks crass in comparison. It's obvious who copied who. Although neither does all that much for me really. The Astra reminds me of a Mazda 3.
The funny thing is, I plan to purchase one of the two. Must have been my subconcious telling me that they look the same anyway :-)
In the end, my decision will be based on which one drives better, got the better engine, better value for money, and so on. Right now, its an open race.
Btw, both cars look far better than any Mazda 3 or Seat Leon or anything!
An Alfa is always an Alfa. I have been driving them for 30 years And will never be seen dead in boring German dross