Following a deluge of 'spy' images onto the
internet of pre-production versions of Progetto
940, the replacement for the Alfa 147, a
fortnight ago, two more photos have popped up
that offer a further look at this key new model,
and give the best look yet at its new lines.
Designed in-house by Alfa Romeo Centro Stile, Progetto
940, to be known as the Alfa Milano, will only
be available in 5-door hatchback format. While
adhering to much of the new "design
language" first seen on the Alfa 8C Competizione sports car and
which was further evolved by the B-segment MiTo hatchback,
the Milano at the front betrays a front grille influenced by
the Bertone-styled Alfa GT Coupé, though
positioned in a wider aperture, while the thin front
spoiler sections show evolutionary styling from the Alfa
147 model it will replace.
The
one of the two new photos offers a better look
at the high side treatment
which is forced upon the designers due to the
architecture chosen for this project. It's
underpinnings evolve from the Lancia Delta and Fiat
Bravo, as the Milano is built around an evolved
version of their "Compact" platform
(which itself started life on the Fiat Stilo)
now known as
"C-Evo" for the Alfa Milano project.
It now has a longer wheelbase,
shorter overhangs and an advanced new type of
McPherson strut front/multilink rear
suspension. Meanwhile both
front-wheel-drive and Alfa Romeo's Q4
four-wheel-drive have been engineered into C-Evo,
while Active Roll Control will also be an option on
the Milano.
The
sharp styling betrayed by the photos of the Alfa Milano is a clear
departure from Alfa Romeo's recent tradition and shows
clearly the influences of the senior design management changes that have
recently taken place at Alfa Romeo Centro Stile,
with the shape heavily influenced by the new
generation of design thinking that Chris Bangle
introduced at BMW and which has become very
fashionable with consumers. The photos also show an
attempt to incorporate the principles of the
fade-in-fade-out swage line effect that was so
successful on the Alfa 156. The mish-mash of
design ideas prevailing in the photos reveals
the long history of this project which has been
repeatedly sent back to the drawing board and
the changes in senior staff working on the Alfa
147 replacement.
The prototype cars
are also being tested on 5-stud wheels from the
Alfa 159 which means that the C-Evo platform
will have 110mm PCD. As had been gathered from
disguised prototypes seen testing, the rear door
handles of the Milano are positioned high up and
hidden, reviving the much cherished pattern of
the Alfa 147 and 156 although this cue
unfortunately accentuates further the high sided
nature of this car. The rear
tailgate shows some evolution from the Alfa 147 and
the MiTo, especially with its angular lower
horizontal glass line, while with the rear
lights Alfa Romeo has chosen not to replicate
the single round light units of the MiTo, and
the angled units of the Milano contain design
elements of several recent lights to be used by
Alfa Romeo.
