Alfa Romeo MiTo tuned by Lester

The Italian tuners from Lester have unveiled a new package for the Alfa MiTo GTA, which focus on both performance and handling upgrades, as well as some aerodynamic mods.

Lester is offering engine tuning for the GTA’s 1.75L turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, which boosts output by 31hp (23kW). Additionally, a new height-adjustable coil-over suspension with adjustable dampers is also available, along with sport springs that can lower the car significantly. This results in improved handling and greater acceleration for the performance hatch.

Accompanying the handling upgrades is a new look for the MiTo GTA brought about by an aerodynamic enhancement kit. The front of the car gets a facelift thanks to the spoiler corners on the left and right, as well as a bonnet mounted scoop. At the rear is a subtle wing spoiler and a pair of oversized exhaust tailpipes. The final touch is a set of 18in multi-spoke alloy wheels.

One of the key features of the Lester Alfa MiTo GTA's interior is a subwoofer housing that can accommodate a woofer of up to 320mm in the rear of the car.

Here is the list:
CODE - DESCRIPTION - PRICE
* FS3410XX - FRONT SPOILER VT - €138,00
* H1032GXX - REAR ROOF SPOLER PR - €96,00
* H1035GXX - REAR ROOF SPOLER - RACING PR - €136,00
* H81543GXX - ADJUSTABLE REAR SPOILER without primer PR - €95,00
* H81543XX - ADJUSTABLE REAR SPOILER PR - €113,00
* H86243GXX - ADJUSTABLE REAR SPOILER without primer PR - €94,00
* M215XX - SIDE SKIRTS VT - €148,00
* PA315AXX - BONNET VENT VT - €98,00
* PA316MXX - AIR INTAKES 2pcs.- for front wings VT - €98,00
* RE77510XX - REAR AIR EXTRACTING DEVICE VT - €142,00
* RE77512XX - REAR AIR EXTRACTING DEVICE for double exhaust (left +right) VT - €152,00
* WH507XX - WOOFER HOUSING VT 178,00

Fiat adds fuel-saving MultiAir technology to Alfa Romeo MiTo

Fiat is keeping using technological breakthroughs to improve both performance and efficiency in diesel engines. More power, reduced fuel consumption, and lower exhaust emissions, these are features of Fiat’s new technology for petrol engines. The new technology is called MultiAir.

Compared to a traditional petrol engine with the same displacement, MultiAir engines ensure an increase in power (up to 10%) and torque (up to 15%), as well as a considerable reduction in consumption levels (up to 10%) and CO2 emissions (up to 10%), of particulates (up to 40%) and NOx (up to 60%).

The MultiAir engines will be on offer on the Alfa Romeo MiTo starting in September. The MiTo will be available with the MultiAir 1.4 liter 16v engine in three variants, both turbocharged and normally aspirated. Power levels will be 105, 135 and 170 hp and engines will be coupled to both 5 and 6 gear manual transmissions. The 105 and 135 hp variants will be offered on the entire MiTo range while the 170 hp version will be a special edition called the Quadrifoglio Verde MiTo (Green Four-Leaf Clover) which will debut sometime after the launch of the MultiAir system on the MiTo.

The heart of the MultiAir is the new electro-hydraulic valve control system which makes it possible to reduce fuel consumption and polluting emissions. The key to controlling petrol engine combustion, and therefore performance, emissions and fuel consumption, is the quantity and characteristics of the fresh air charge in the cylinders. In conventional petrol engines the air mass trapped in the cylinders is controlled by keeping the intake valve opening constant and adjusting upstream pressure through a throttle valve and camshafts.

One of the drawbacks of this simple conventional mechanical control is that the engine wastes about 10% of the input energy in pumping the air charge from a lower intake pressure to the atmospheric exhaust pressure.
MultiAir is unique in that it uses an electro-hydraulic system to actuate the valves as opposed to the more common electro-mechanical setup. This relatively simple system can alter the timing of the valve's opening and closing in relation to how much power or efficiency is required at any specific moment. Additionally, it draws very little power from the engine.

In the future, MultiAir technology could see its introduction on Fiat's diesel engines.

Spy shots: 2010 Alfa Romeo Milano

Fiat and Chrysler’s alliance has been officially signed, many are anticipating a new Chrysler sedan based on an upcoming Alfa Romeo model. That’s the 2010 Alfa Romeo Milano, which is scheduled to make its debut at this September's Frankfurt Motor Show.

The 2010 Alfa Romeo Milano has been spied testing near the Nurburgring in Germany. Though camouflage does hide the details of its form, the five-door layout and sharing of the new 8C-inspired design theme are evident. The profile and raked belt line are distinctly Alfa, while the outline of the headlights and the protruding grille border indicate that the Milano will bear a style similar to that of the Alfa Romeo Mito.

The 2010 Alfa Romeo Milano is expected to share Fiat’s C-Evo platform with the Lancia Delta and Alfa Romeo Bravo, contrary to earlier reports of the car getting an all-new platform. Power is expected to come from Fiat’s main engine line, starting with a four-cylinder petrol engine developing 90kW, through to a 198kW 3.2 litre V6 mill. And the car will feature Fiat’s Q2 front-wheel-drive system as standard, while the Q4 all-wheel-drive system will appear as an option.

Sometime after the car's debut, a high-performance GTA model, like the MiTo's recently unveiled version, is also expected to join the line-up.

The new Alfa will come despite a planned halt in production to bring stock in line with demand. By splitting the existing 147 line into the MiTo and Milano, it allows the company to retain existing customers of the range while targeting new ones at both ends of the spectrum. The smaller and more efficient MiTo can play toward the younger and more urban crowds, while the Milano should scale well with the more affluent and suburban lifestyles.

NOVITEC tunes the Alfa Romeo MiTo

NOVITEC has unveiled the exclusive tuning for the Alfa Romeo MiTo, with a focus on both performance and handling upgrades, as well as some aerodynamic mods .

Novitec is offering engine tuning for the two diesel models and the petrol-powered 1.4L turbo in the lineup. For the range-topping 1.4L engine, Novitec can install an auxiliary control unit in around 5 minutes, resulting in an almost instantaneous 31hp (23kW) boost. This extra power gives the 1.4L MiTo a final power output of 186hp (134kW), enough to push the car to 62mph in just 7.4 seconds, or around 0.7 seconds quicker than the standard model. For the two turbodiesels, a similar control unit is installed that boosts power by 20hp (15kW) for the 1.3L JTD model and by 24hp (18kW) for the MiTo 1.6L JTD, as well as increasing torque figures by close to 37lb-ft (50Nm).

Additionally, a new height-adjustable coil-over suspension with adjustable dampers is also available, along with sport springs that can lower the car significantly. This results in improved handling and greater acceleration for the MiTo.

Accompanying the handling upgrades is a new look for the MiTo brought about by an aerodynamic enhancement kit. The front of the car gets a facelift thanks to the spoiler corners on the left and right, as well as the centrally mounted cup spoiler. At the back, rocker panels make the car appear lower, while a roof spoiler and a rear diffuser both help to improve downforce.

The rear diffuser surrounds the new Novitec sports muffler, which yields a more exciting growl when the engine is wound up, and the system can be combined with one, two, or four tailpipes. New Novitec alloy wheels top off the package, and high-performance Pirelli tires ensure the car should stay glued to the road.

Alfa Romeo Milano (149) coming to Frankfurt Motor Show

Fans of Italian styling are anxiously awaiting Fiat and Alfa Romeo's return to the U.S., now that the alliance deal between the Italian auto giant and Chrysler has been signed. One of Alfa Romeo’s upcoming models is particularly important as it will form the basis of a new Chrysler sedan planned for U.S. production. The car is the 2010 Alfa Romeo Milano and it's scheduled to make its debut at this September's Frankfurt Motor Show. European sales begin in late 2009 - early 2010
Late last year at the Bologna Motor Show, Alfa Romeo CEO Luca de Meo confirmed that the car was in the works, and that it would arrive in the fourth quarter of 2009. Previous spy photos show that it is progressing well toward that deadline, though camouflage does hide the details of its form. The five-door layout and sharing of the new 8C-inspired design theme are evident, however.

It is expected to share Fiat’s C-Evo platform with the Lancia Delta and Alfa Romeo Bravo, contrary to earlier reports of the car getting an all-new platform. The same core engine range is expected, including a smallish 120hp (90kW) four-cylinder and ranging up to a 3.2L V6 good for 265hp (198kW). It will also share much of the same running gear. Sometime after the car's debut, a GTA model, like the MiTo's recently unveiled version, is also expected.

The new Alfa will come despite a planned halt in production to bring stock in line with demand. By splitting the existing 147 line into the MiTo and Milano, it allows the company to retain existing customers of the range while targeting new ones at both ends of the spectrum. The smaller and more efficient MiTo can play toward the younger and more urban crowds, while the Milano should scale well with the more affluent and suburban lifestyles. Adding to the Milano's more upscale direction is the inclusion of the four-wheel drive Q4 system, though the Q2 front-wheel drive will remain standard.