Dubbed the "Milano", the highly-anticipated C-segment replacement for the long-running Alfa 147 model, has broken cover today with an undisguised image of the new car's front end rapidly circulating the internet.

Dubbed the "Milano", the highly-anticipated C-segment replacement for the long-running Alfa 147 model, has broken cover today with an undisguised image of the new car's front end, revealing interesting and familiar Alfa Romeo design cues, rapidly circulating the internet. Due to be officially launched at the 80th Geneva Motor Show next spring, this single image shows the Milano, finished in white, on a pre-production line.

Designed in house by Alfa Romeo Centro Stile, Progetto 940 has been sent back to the drawing board several times meaning that its arrival in the showrooms cannot come soon enough to bolster sales in this key segment. Only to be available as a 5-door hatchback, the Milano will be 435 cm long, 180 cm wide and 143cm high, and with a wheelbase of 263cm. The image circulating today reveals a front end that clearly draws on several recent Alfa Romeo models for inspiration. While keeping to the new "design language" first seen on the limited-edition "halo" Alfa 8C Competizione sports car and further evolved by the B-segment MiTo hatchback, the Milano betrays an ill fitting (in the photo) front grille influenced by the Bertone-styled Alfa GT Coupé while the thin front spoiler sections show evolutionary styling from the Alfa 147 model it will replace. The headlight units, which include LEDs, evolve from the MiTo pattern and are slightly reminiscent of the Ferrari California. Like on the MiTo they are similarly mounted high up on the bodywork which accentuates a "tall-and-narrow" stance.

It has been reported that Milano's petrol engine range will be made up of the 1.4 TBi unit fitted with the new MultiAir induction technology (135 & 165bhp) and the direct-injection 1.8 TBi (235bhp, 265bhp twin-turbo) while these two will be complimented by two turbodiesels, a 1.6 (120bhp) and 2.0 (170bhp & 220bhp twin-stage turbo) in "MultiJet 2" specification.

The Milano will be based on a new, evolutionary architecture. After an investment of over 100 million euros in the "Compact" platform, which underpins the Lancia Delta and Fiat Bravo, this has resulted in an upgrade to ‘C-Evo’ specification, with a longer wheelbase, shorter overhangs and an advanced new type of McPherson strut front/multilink rear suspension. Both front-wheel-drive and Alfa Romeo's Q4 four-wheel-drive have been engineered into C-Evo while Active Roll Control will be an option on the Milano. When the new model arrives next spring the current Alfa 147 will remain in production for a limited time alongside Milano, with a pruned range and single engine offering (120bhp 1.9 8V MultiJet).