Although not due until the beginning of 2009, South Coast Alfa Romeo dealers Meridien Milano have reported massive interest in the new Alfa Mi.To.

Sales manager Wayne Olive says: "The anticipation for the Alfa Mi.To is electrifying, with clients already placing orders at both our Portsmouth and Bournemouth dealerships."

He adds: "At this early stage, the interest has been phenomenal, not least because the car fits the modern motoring needs almost perfectly."

The New Alfa Mi.To offers a contemporary and innovative design for a new generation of Alfa aficionados.

Mi.To has great evocative resonance for Alfa Romeo, since it was chosen as a sign of a deep-seated link between the past and future of the brand - between Milan, the city of design that brought the car's style into being, and Turin, which will be responsible for its industrial production.

The Mi.To is the first new Alfa Romeo to be built since the 8C Competizione, Alfa Romeo's icon of style and technology, from which it borrows certain characteristic traits: the particular shape of the frameless side windows, the distinctive frontal treatment, the shape of the headlights and the LED tail lights.

The headlights and tail lights represent a distinctive personalised feature; the front and rear lighting surrounds exhibit different forms of material processing and colours, which will allow customers to create an ultra-stylish "eye-liner" effect that underscores the car's style and assertiveness.

The highly "personal" dashboard and seats ensure that the interior represents the ultimate expression of Italian style - welcoming yet sporty, with top-quality materials and close attention to detail, all wrapped in a compact and dynamic shape.

Performance and technology must always be top of the range in an Alfa Romeo.

As with all the brand's models, the Mi.To is able to appeal to the most demanding customers with its exciting driveability, a factor which is determined in part by Alfa's new DNA system.

This driver-operated system acts directly on the engine, brakes, steering, suspension and gearbox, allowing three different vehicle behaviour modes based on the driving style best suited to the situation or the customer's wishes: sporting (dynamic), town driving (normal), maximum safety even in difficult grip conditions (all-weather).

Strong performance is guaranteed by a turbocharged range of petrol and diesel engines spanning 90-155bhp, with the range due to be extended by higher powered versions and the handling has been developed and optimised to offer maximum driving satisfaction in complete safety.

Alfa Romeo's specially developed VDC stability system is fitted as standard, and the vehicle structure is already designed to obtain a top Euro NCAP crash safety rating in the future.

The Alfa Mi.To will be gradually introduced from July in all the major markets. The new car is expected to go on sale in the UK early next year.

lFor further details, contact the Meridien Milano sales team on 01202 844800.