The new Alfa Romeo MiTo Junior aims to broaden the appeal of the MiTo range still further by offering stylish but attention-grabbing looks within an affordable and insurable package. It builds on the high specification of the MiTo Progression but adds 17-inch alloy wheels with a brilliant white finish as well as matching door mirror caps and distinctive new "Junior" boot decal, also finished in white. Other enhancements include front fog lights; a sports rear bumper and satin-effect door handles with matching headlamp and tail-lamp surrounds, while the interior benefits from special Junior upholstery, Junior floor mats and a flat-bottom sports steering wheel with contrasting stitching.
Under the bonnet, the Alfa Romeo MiTo Junior is powered by the 0.9-litre TwinAir 105hp turbo petrol engine (0-60MPH in 11.4 seconds / 114 MPH) and 1.3-litre JTDM-2 85hp turbo-diesel (0-60MPH in 12.9 seconds / 108 MPH) and is priced from £14,870 OTR and £15,415 OTR respectively.
The Alfa Romeo MiTo Junior was inspired by the stunning Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior from 1966 which combined the gorgeous looks of the Giugiaro-styled 105/115 Series coupe with a small-capacity version of the legendary all-alloy Alfa Romeo Twin-Cam engine. Developed with Italian taxation in mind (which penalised larger engines), the Junior GT 1300 amassed 91,000 sales (accounting for 69 percent of all 105/115 Series built) and has become very collectable in its own right thanks to its purity and character, as well as the larger number of enthusiasts whose earliest Alfa Romeo memories are of that very car.
This year is the centenary of when A.L.F.A. (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili) came under the direction of entrepreneur Nicola Romeo who, following the end of World War 1, eventually changed the name of the company to Alfa Romeo and ushered in an era of extraordinary technological advances and competition successes for the brand which remain an integral part of its identity to this day.
Source: Alfa Romeo
