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The Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.4 TBi (top) has been
shortlisted as one of just eight finalists
in the South African Guild of Motoring
Journalists/Wesbank Car of the Year for
2010 as it bids to be the second Alfa Romeo
to scoop the honours in the prestigious
award's 23-year-history. The Alfa 156 2.0
TwinSpark (bottom) won in 1999. |
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The
Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.4 TBi has been shortlisted as
one of the last eight finalists in the South
African Guild of Motoring Journalists/Wesbank
Car of the Year for 2010 as the Italian
hatchback bids to be the second Alfa Romeo to
scoop the honours in the prestigious award's
23-year-history. The Alfa 156 2.0 TwinSpark won
in 1999.
All
the finalists will be put through their paces in
a rigorous testing programme that takes place in
February next year - the winner will then be
announced at a glittering function on the 18
March 2010. Joining the MiTo in the final eight
is the Audi Q5 2.0 T S tronic, Chevrolet Cruze
1.8 LS, Hyundai i20 1.6 GLS, Suzuki Alto 1.0
Litre GLS, Toyota Prius 1.8 ECVT Advanced,
Volkswagen Golf VI 1.4 TSI 90 kW Comfortline and
Volvo XC60 3.0T Geartronic.
But
win or lose, the fact that the Alfa MiTo has
made it to the finalists’ list is in itself an
outstanding achievement, as the South African
Guild of Motoring Journalists were able to
select from well over one-hundred all-new models
that made their way onto South Africa's roads
during 2009.
The previous
winners of the South African Guild of Motoring
Journalists/Wesbank Car of the Year are: 1986 Toyota
Corolla Twin Cam, 1987 Mercedes 260, 1988 BMW 735i, 1989
Toyota Corolla GLi Executive, 1990 BMW 525i, 1991 Opel Monza
160 GSi, 1992 Nissan Maxima 300 SE, 1993 BMW 316i, 1994 Opel
Kadett 140, 1995 Opel Astra 160iS, 1996 Audi A4 1.8, 1997
BMW 528i, 1998 Ford Fiesta Fun, 1999 Alfa Romeo 156
TwinSpark, 2000 Renault Clio 1.4 RT, 2001 BMW 320d, 2002
Audi A4 1.9 TDI, 2003 Polo TDI, 2004 Renault Megane 1.9 dCi,
2005 Volvo S40 2.4i, 2006 Audi A3 Sportback 2.0T, 2007 Honda
Civic 1.8VXi Sedan, 2008 Mazda2 1.5 Individual and 2009
Honda Accord 2.4 Executive.
The MiTo has been a success for the Alfa Romeo brand in
South Africa with an average of 30 new MiTos per month
finding new homes since it was launched. In 2010, the MiTo range will be expanded
with a 100 kW and 127 kW engine version (both with the
revolutionary new Multiair 1.4 turbo units). The 127 kW
version will badged Quadrifoglio Verde and befitting its
flagship status it will boast sportier styling, dynamic
chassis modifications plus a few other luxury add-ons. The
newcomers are expected to debut in the second quarter
(April/May).
Of course, though, the really big news for Alfa Romeo in
South Africa during 2010 will be the arrival of the
much-anticipated Milano. On 4th December the first official
pictures of the Milano will be unveiled. This Golf-sized,
five-door will set the proverbial cat amongst the hatchback
pigeons thanks to its exquisite architecture and
Multiair-based engine line-up. The SA line-up is not yet
finalised but will most likely include two models at launch
- the 127 kW 1.4 Turbo version and a range-topping 170 kW
1.8 Turbo Multiair (likely to be badged Quadrifoglio Verde).
Arrival in South Africa is expected between the third and
fourth quarter, around October.
Also currently under investigation for the South African
market in 2010 is the Alfa Brera & Spider with the new 1750
TBi engine, still not a certainty at this stage, but if it
happens these models will arrive in the country within the
first half of next year.
Last but certainly not least, 2010 will be a milestone year
for Alfa Romeo as it is the marque’s centenary year. Milan,
Alfa Romeo’s birthplace, will be the centre of attention on
the 23rd and 24th July when a whole host of centenary events
are planned. In South Africa Alfa Romeo will also celebrate
this momentous achievement, but later in the year to
coincide with the launch of Milano.
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