Hot 230bhp Alfa on the way

Monday, August 21, 2006

Sporty new Alfa due in 2008
Based on Fiat Grande Punto
Could be called Junior

Latest News

Alfa Romeo will launch a sporty new supermini-based hot hatch in 2008.

Industry paper Automotive News Europe reports company sources as saying the car will be based on the Fiat Grande Punto. From launch it will use a turbocharged 1.8-litre petrol engine developing 230bhp.

That could give the Alfa an edge against lesser-powered superminis like the 180bhp Seat Ibiza Cupra and 173bhp Mini Cooper S.

It also gives it a fighting chance against the ranks of small family cars with 200+bhp including the Ford Focus ST, Vauxhall Astra VXR and Volkswagen Golf R32, and

According to ANE the company is going to call the car Junior, a name that Alfa Romeo has used in the past.

• Fiat has a hot version of its Grande Punto in the pipeline too. Expected next summer, the Abarth version of the car could pack as much as 240bhp.