Members Only: Alfa Romeo MiTo RIAR edition
Click above to view the RIAR edition Alfa MiTo in high resolution
Isn't it nice when automakers can give something back to their most loyal fans? Like Volkswagen, for example, which shows up every year to its enthusiast gathering in Wörthersee, Austria with a new surprise (like the Golf GTI W12 650 concept). Well Volkswagen may have snagged Alfa Romeo's CEO, but Alfa is taking something back from Volkswagen in launching the MiTo RIAR edition.
Made to commemorate the 46th anniversary of the Registro Italiano Alfa Romeo, an international Alfa owners club with over 1,000 members, the RIAR edition MiTo takes on a decidedly sinister and low-key appearance. It's painted black, with black satin finish details instead of chrome and 17-inch anthracite-finish 8C-style rims hiding red brake calipers. Buyers can choose between black or burgundy leather, but the RIAR edition comes packed with all the options inside and out. Under the hood is a 170-hp version of the turbocharged four, and in honor of RIAR's 46th year of brand loyalty, Alfa will only offer 46 individually-numbered and personalized examples exclusively to RIAR members. This special edition proves that membership has its privileges; we wonder what they'll cook up for the club's 50th.
Gallery: Alfa MiTo RIAR edition
[Source: RIAR]
PRESS RELEASE
MiTo R.I.A.R. limited edition
Alfa Romeo decided to honour RIAR's 46-year history and brand loyalty by presenting the MITO RIAR, a RIAR concept Alfa readily embraced thanks to Andrea Vecchi, a member of both the Alfa Romeo Marketing and our association. This new car, small and swift, was produced in a limited and exclusive special edition (only 46 numbered pieces, individually manufactured and fitted) for the first 46 RIAR Members who will succeed in securing one for themselves. Painted black (Nero Cattivo or Nero Etna), with matching headlight and rear-light rims, 17" forged rims, dark, identical to those sported by the 8C Competizione. Red brake calipers. 170 HP instead of 155! Full optional, black or burgundy leather interiors, spoiler above the rear window, rear bumper air dam, sporty interiors and seats, carbon look dashboard, fog lights, digitally controlled two-zone automatic air conditioning, parking sensors, EURO 5 Engine. Metal RIAR logo on the tailgate and steering wheel. Production number and Member's name engraved on a silver plate on the shift tunnel. Authenticity certificate and RIAR homologation. Our Members will benefit from special conditions: although not inexpensive, the price for these exclusive limited-edition vehicles, equipped with every optional and a generous horse power, has been fixed at € 20,000.
MiTo R.I.A.R. limited edition
Alfa Romeo decided to honour RIAR's 46-year history and brand loyalty by presenting the MITO RIAR, a RIAR concept Alfa readily embraced thanks to Andrea Vecchi, a member of both the Alfa Romeo Marketing and our association. This new car, small and swift, was produced in a limited and exclusive special edition (only 46 numbered pieces, individually manufactured and fitted) for the first 46 RIAR Members who will succeed in securing one for themselves. Painted black (Nero Cattivo or Nero Etna), with matching headlight and rear-light rims, 17" forged rims, dark, identical to those sported by the 8C Competizione. Red brake calipers. 170 HP instead of 155! Full optional, black or burgundy leather interiors, spoiler above the rear window, rear bumper air dam, sporty interiors and seats, carbon look dashboard, fog lights, digitally controlled two-zone automatic air conditioning, parking sensors, EURO 5 Engine. Metal RIAR logo on the tailgate and steering wheel. Production number and Member's name engraved on a silver plate on the shift tunnel. Authenticity certificate and RIAR homologation. Our Members will benefit from special conditions: although not inexpensive, the price for these exclusive limited-edition vehicles, equipped with every optional and a generous horse power, has been fixed at € 20,000.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Max 12:42PM (1/15/2009)
Do you get to hang a death star off the mirror?
Reply
13enS 1:12PM (1/15/2009)
Luke! I am your MiTo Rrrrrrrr!
AntBee 12:45PM (1/15/2009)
Those lucky b*tches!!!!
Reply
Shiftright 12:55PM (1/15/2009)
Sexy little beast. I want one and a 500 Abarth SS to keep it company in the garage.
Reply
Franz 2:53PM (1/15/2009)
I wouldn't mind having both of those in my garage too.
MikeofLA 1:54PM (1/15/2009)
Wow... That is a nice hot hatch. I'd take one of these over a GTi any day. Didn't Alfa say they were coming back to the US?!?
Reply
robotrock 1:00PM (1/15/2009)
That's black? Looks grey to me.
Reply
Mazda FTW! 1:00PM (1/15/2009)
This is a GREAT idea. Honda and Mazda should do the same for their fanbase communities!!! A special members-only MX-5 or RX-8 would be awesomeness.
Reply
Ligor 1:11PM (1/15/2009)
i want one
Reply
Peter Rockwell 1:46PM (1/15/2009)
Speaking of Alfa, what has the downturn in the auto market done to our chances of seeing an affordable Alfa in the States any time soon?
Reply
jim3480 2:31PM (1/15/2009)
OMG, that is hot.
I want this. I want the 149 that's coming. I want the 500 Abarth. I want them all.
But....I am not going to get any. Why? Because I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Alfa keeps putting off coming to the USA over and over and over again. It is now 2011. And if the economy worsens, as it will, it will become 2012...then 2013..until finally they throw in the towel and give up the idea for good.
I just know this is going to happen. Americans just don't deserve these beautiful, sexy machines. Give us our Camry, Accord, Taurus...keep offering only one engine from imports.....keep horsepower the primary focus for us...it's all we aspire to....zzzzzzzz
Reply
taipeileviathan 3:12PM (1/15/2009)
i just saw an 8C competizione a few weeks ago (i say "just saw" because those brief minutes she spent in my rearview mirror live on in my mind like it was but yesterday) driving up beverly glen in beverly hills... i have no idea what that portends, but it did fill my life with hope and light for a few shining moments...
Welles 3:03PM (1/15/2009)
...and if you're very, very quiet, you can hear the sound of parts falling off of it shortly after it leaves the assembly line.
As for a US return, forget it. Alfa has the same issue now that caused it to leave 15 years ago - quality that is...sub-par is the nicest phrase I can think of.
Reply
AntBee 4:17PM (1/15/2009)
Whatevs Debbie Downer, Alfa is building cars that are beautiful and people want them!
Denim 8:25PM (1/15/2009)
My God... That's... It looks like ET. It's hideous.
Reply
Rob Nichols 6:06PM (1/16/2009)
Looks like a Subaru B-9 Tribecca (the first design) which I actually loved. I wouldn't mind owning one.
Reply