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ALFA ROMEO MITO TCT BLACKLINE COLLECTION

Alfa Romeo returns the the Bologna Motor Show this week after missing last year's edition with the Giulietta (bottom) as its headline act although in a sign of the times for the brand's range while the MiTo (top) is also present (with a new version debuting) there is no place made available in its booth for the other three of its faded stars: the 159, GT Coupé or Brera.

Alfa Romeo returns the the Bologna Motor Show this week after missing last year's edition with the Giulietta as its headline act although in a sign of the times for the brand's range while the MiTo is also present (with a new version debuting) there is no place made available in its booth for the other three of its faded stars: the 159, GT Coupé or Brera. Italian visitors will also get the chance to see the new "TCT" transmission up close.

Alfa Romeo will roll out the "Meccano" inspired booth that it has been using at European motor shows recently. The Meccano, stand takes the form of a racetrack full of scale model cars where engineering games are combined with traditional Alfa Romeo themes such as asphalt and red paint. Huge plates of Meccano with lit-up holes - which resemble the houses of a futuristic city - serve as a backdrop to the whole exhibition area. This is the ideal stage down which a selection of the latest Alfa Romeo models parades, those vehicles that will draw the attention of a huge crowd of young people, that of the Bologna Motor Show. As a tribute to Meccano, the stand will feature the crane that appeared in the original 1908 set designed and patented by Frank Hornby. The space looks to the future.

Giulietta, the safest compact car in the world

Giulietta, the safest compact car in the world according to Euro NCAP, is the star of the Alfa Romeo stand with the latest new features of its range. The public can admire three versions of the model recently awarded the title of “Auto Europa 2011”: 140 HP JTDM Giulietta Distinctive 2.0, 170 HP 1.4 MultiAir Turbo petrol Giulietta Distinctive “Alfa TCT" and 235 HP 1750 TBi Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde.

The first car presents the new 140 HP turbodiesel engine that records low emissions (only 119 g/km), low fuel consumption (4.5 litres/100 km over a combined cycle) and an outstanding torque delivery (in Dynamic 350 Nm at just 1750 rpm). The ideal solution for both the business and private customer, the versatile 2.0 JTDM completes the already generous range of Giulietta engines.

The second version displayed in Bologna is offered with “Alfa TCT", the innovative dry twin clutch automatic transmission which guarantees driving comfort and a sporty feeling well above those offered by conventional automatic transmissions, but also improved efficiency and lower consumption levels. The “Alfa TCT” is available with a 170 HP 1.4 MultiAir petrol version (present on the stand) and later also with a 170 HP 2.0 JTDM diesel version. In addition the brand-new "Alfa TCT", first applied to the Alfa Mito, is combined with the Start&Stop system in order to minimise consumption levels and CO2 emissions (121 g/km for the 170 HP 1.4 MultiAir).

At the Motor Show there will also be a slot for the lively 235 HP 1750 TBi combined with the exclusive Quadrifoglio Verde version, a legendary symbol which has competed on tracks all over the world. Only available on this engine type, this special version is distinguished by its sporty lowered ride setting (15 mm at the front and 10 mm at the rear), 17" wheels (18" as an option), an enhanced braking system with calipers painted Alfa red, as well as sporty interiors which include sporty leather and microfibre upholstery. All designed to guarantee the best in driving pleasure and segment-leading active and passive safety. It also offers reduced fuel consumption for this power rating; the “Quadrifoglio Verde” is thus reinterpreted for today, combining the utmost driving pleasure with greater environmental awareness for eco-conscious and ecosystem-friendly sportiness.

In detail, the 1750 turbo petrol engine boasts cutting-edge technical solutions including direct fuel injection, dual continuous variable valve timing, a turbocharger and a revolutionary scavenging control system that gets rid of any turbo lag. The resulting performance is comparable to – or better than – that of many 3 litre engines while still delivering fuel consumption typical of a compact four cylinder unit. It is worth noting that the specific power of 134 HP/litre represents the highest ever achieved by an Alfa Romeo engine. The specific torque, amounting to 195 Nm/litre, is also the highest of all petrol engines in this category, while the maximum torque of 340 Nm, reached at just 1,900 revs, is excellent by any standards.

With particular reference to the info-telematic setup on board, the equipment of each Giulietta on display is very rich: in addition to the Blue&Me system, the public can admire the “RadioNav” satellite navigator that constitutes the new generation of entertainment and satellite navigation developed by Magneti Marelli for Alfa Romeo. The system incorporates a satellite navigator, radio with dual tuner, one dedicated to traffic information reception (TMC), the MP3 CD player and European maps loaded onto a SD card that speeds up data access and route calculation times. To guarantee greater sharpness and definition of images, it is equipped with a high-definition 6.5 inch colour display. Bologna Motor Show visitors can also admire “Blue&Me–TomTom”, the latest development of the Blue&Me system. This is a fully integrated system that allows you to manage telephone, navigation and all necessary driving information functions on a practical colour touch-screen. The device is the result of a partnership between Fiat Group Automobiles and TomTom, the European leader in portable navigation systems, and integrates with the car’s other systems thanks to the Blue&Me system.

The latest new features of the Alfa Romeo MiTo and its strong bond with music

The Alfa Romeo MiTo finds the ideal showcase here for presenting the powerful 170 HP 1.4 MultiAir Turbo “Quadrifoglio Verde” and the brand-new “BlackLine Collection” version with the innovative “Alfa TCT” twin clutch automatic transmission, in perfect harmony with the dynamic spirit of the Motor Show, always representing a niche for young people and music. In this way, the Alfa Romeo MiTo was confirmed the one-off “Energy Machine” that, in a length of just 4 metres, is packed with style, agility and technical excellence made for driving satisfaction. And “Energy Machine” is precisely the payoff of the recent campaign that highlights the model's character and fighting spirit, that breath-taking energy that transforms matter into excitement. The same concept is also voiced in the final slogan - "Breathing life into matter means turning it into excitement" - of the new commercial that sets it in centre stage together with the famous French DJ and composer Bob Sinclar.

Parading down the catwalk in Bologna is the new 135 HP MiTo "Blackline Collection" 1.4 MultiAir Turbo (awarded Best New Engine of the Year by an international panel of experts) combined with the "Alfa TCT" automatic transmission and Start&Stop system. This Alfa Romeo MiTo offers outstanding performance (7.1 l/100 km over an urban cycle, 126 g/km of CO2 and 8.2 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h), a result that is even better than the same engine with a manual gearbox (the values are 7.4 l/100 km, 129 g/km and 8.4 seconds). In reusing a name associated with a successful series of the recent past, Alfa Romeo is also presenting the "Blackline Collection", a version that puts together essential functional contents (climate control and MP3 CD radio), innovative technological systems (VDC with Electronic Q2 and Alfa Romeo DNA selector) and refined aesthetic details, including a glossy black roof, special 16" alloy wheels, and fairings of the rear view mirrors painted glossy black or satinised chrome.

The Alfa Romeo MiTo “Quadrifoglio Verde” is also in the spotlight. This exclusive version brings back a legendary symbol that over the years has identified some of the brand's sportiest products. Bearing the "Quadrifoglio Verde" badge is the MiTo version fitted out with the powerful 170 CV 1.4 MultiAir Turbo and innovative solutions that accentuate the model's already popular qualities. Road grip, agility, active safety and a driving feeling are emphasized by the engine, which has one of the world's highest specific power values and a chassis worthy of a higher category. This engine's best feature is its outstanding weight/power ratio, which has always been one of the key factors behind Alfa Romeo's success on the road and the racetrack. It is at the top of its category with 6.7 kg/HP. At 124 HP/litre, this engine is also one of the world leaders in specific power.

Set apart by a "blue tornado" body, the version on display offers a wealth of equipment: leather seats, sunroof, 18" alloy rims, brake calipers painted red, dual zone automatic climate control, "RadioNav" satellite navigation unit with TMC Premium service, steering wheel and controls covered with leather and the Blue&Me system.