Posted on Tuesday 18 March 2008
Alfa Romeo’s new Mi.To hatch was only unveiled last week but already attention has turned to a rumored new cabrio variant. Pictured here is an artist’s impression of the droptop that’s tipped to go on sale in the first half of next year, just in time for the northern summer.
The car’s compact size and low cost means it’ll make do with a manual folding soft-top and will be limited to carrying just two adults (the back seats are only for small children). Slightly revised styling will most likely be handled by one of Italy’s famed design houses but thankfully most of the lines from the stylish hardtop appear to carry over untouched.
Expect to see the same engine lineup as found in the hatch. This means there will be a range of engine options starting with a base 95hp 1.4L petrol model, followed by a turbocharged Multiair 1.4L unit and 1.6L turbodiesel developing 140hp and 120hp respectively. A performance GTA model could also be launched, which could get a high-output 1.8L turbo petrol engine cranking out 230hp through Alfa’s Q2 FWD torque vectoring system.
2010 Alfa Romeo Mi.To cabrio renderings
I do not envy the European drivers who will have to reach all the way back over the two back seats to operate the manual folding soft top. But I guess the physiotherapists are looking forward to a lot of rotator cuff injuries. Alfa, there is a reason convertibles are NOT usually designed this way.
Wow. This is one impressive car. If it keeps the car cheap, i definately wouldn’t mind stretching back every now and then.
I bet that it will get an automatic soft top Roy. But as we all know electronics in italian cars tend to stop functioning now and then
I’m happy with a hard top coupe, but this is one nice little car! A convertible car the size of a Yaris/Fit/Versa, and with Italian style, count me in!
Hey Roy,
Europeans are typically, slim and nimble…. unlike their somewhat obese American cousins, reaching a few inches behind one’s self should not require any corrective surgery. Just one question for you… Do you want fries with that?
wow.. anton… that was a little low. i mean, you could have suggested that these people physically get out of the car and move the roof. I mean, you’d have to do the same with a Targa anyways.
i think the fact that was missed on the whole thread was that this is a sub compact. it’s a 2+2. that back seat isnt much further than arms reach anyways. this wouldnt be a hyper extension for most people, although, smaller people may have a problem with doing that.
larger people also have to realize that their seats will be pushed back further and likely reclined further.
the mechanics of it works. but i’d still probably get my butt out of the car and just do it from the out side.
I guess very little if any Mitos will feature a manual roof folding system. Almost all small cabrios have automatic systems (save for the C3 Pluriel, but that’s because of the roof design).
The main advantage of soft tops over hard tops is design. And in this case (an Alfa), it matters: a soft top can keep the hatchback shape untouched (A3 Cabrio, Golf Cabrio), while a hard top can’t.