There is a thirst amongst car enthusiasts for Alfa Romeo's that have maximum performance squeezed out of them and so the anticipation that the MiTo GTA has generated means it has been one of the most sought out cars at the show today.

There is always a huge thirst amongst car enthusiasts for production Alfa Romeo's that then have maximum performance squeezed out of them, and so the anticipation that the MiTo GTA has generated over the last year means it has been one of the most sought out cars at the 79th Geneva Motor Show's opening days.

The MiTo has been a highly popular addition to the range for Alfa Romeo and has more that 35,000 orders already according to new brand CEO Sergio Cravero. It's compact B-segment frame, its stand-out looks, and its range of modern, efficient engines make it just the fashionable car for today's economic gloom. Add to that mix a performance version with the legendary GTA moniker attached and you have a car that has to be examined closely. Cravero was upbeat about Alfa Romeo's future during the press conference and with his long career background with the brand, enthusiasts will hope that as the new 'keeper of the flame' he will fully understand what that entails.

The MiTo GTA is being shown in Geneva in concept form ahead of the production version being presented in the autumn at the Frankfurt IAA and it certainly looks the part with aggressive styling additions all-round that serve to make the already squat and chunky MiTo even more so. The meshed front spoiler and tray, bulging side skirts and the huge twin central exhaust exits at the rear all give the MiTo GTA and real sense of purpose.

Several of these components, as well as the roof and mirror covers, have been fabricated from carbon-fibre to improve the power-to-weight ration and lower the centre of gravity. Spindly alloy wheels that are engraved with the GTA script are shod with 225/35 Pirelli PZero tyres reveal Brembo-designed, GTA-branded brake calipers, perforated discs and bells. Inside the special sports steering wheel bears the GTA logo while the gear shift lever in decals with the famous 'snake'.

The MiTo GTA will receive the new Fiat Powertrain Technologies-developed 1.75-litre turbocharged engine that will be good for 240 bhp, a highly impressive output when it is taken into account the additional reduction in the car's weight. This powerplant is on display in a special area of the Alfa Romeo stand dedicated to the MiTo GTA which also included a historic car that once proudly bore the famous three letters into battle on the race tracks.