Spy Shots: Alfa Romeo Milano fresh off production line... still headed for America?
by Chris Paukert on Jul 6th 2009 at 10:59AM 
Alfa Romeo Milano spy shots -- Click above for image gallery
We're not entirely sure where they originated, but some brazen soul has taken a series of camera phone photos of what appears to be a brace of production-line Alfa Romeo Milano hatchbacks. Although low-res, these shots provide the best look yet at the Italian automaker's forthcoming model, with blurry glimpses inside-and-out of what looks for all the world like a plus-sized MiTo (not a bad thing). From the appearance of things, the shots were taken in an Alfa production facility (they're likely early production small batch cars), suggesting that the model is nearly ready for its debut... perhaps in Frankfurt?
The voluptuous five-door certainly integrates styling cues from the smaller MiTo (which itself sought design assistance from the gorgeous 8C Competizione supercar), particularly up front, but the rear end eschews the Mito's traditional round brakelamps for larger, whistle-shaped horizontally oriented units. In typical Alfa fashion, the hatchback also receives a handsome looking instrument panel with a pair of tunneled main gauges (speedometer and tachometer), as well as simple rotary controls for the HVAC system and plenty of metal (or metal-effect) trim.
As you may recall, the Milano was reportedly one of the vehicles named in internal documents as one of the offerings that Alfa will use to spearhead the automaker's return to North American soil. There has been some discussion that Stateside model plans between Fiat, Chrysler, and Alfa will be tweaked, but as far as we know, the hatch is still a solid bet for the U.S. market. Thanks for the tips, everyone!
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[Source: Facebook via Carscoop]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
zamafir 11:03AM (7/06/2009)
I'm not digging it, from the Chevy Traverse rear to the odd proportions up front. I don't get why the Milano fails where even the MiTo can get it right - proportion.
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Bloke 11:12AM (7/06/2009)
LOL, "Chevy Traverse rear". How about design influences from any number of Alfas from the past decade and indeed, more recently, various Seat models ... given that this isn't another bloated American boat.
In any case, it's another lovely design from Alfa.
zamafir 11:46AM (7/06/2009)
I'm not sure why alfa would want to ape design language from one of VW's budget brands, but my comments still hold, it's not as beautiful as everything else alfa's recently produced, awkward even in the vast expanse that is the front end and otherwise unremarkable rear. Though I would love to hear you continue the devil's advocate position with some specific design discussion pertaining to the bits you like and think are well in line with alfa's continued production of remarkably sexy cars.
jonjwlee 11:59AM (7/06/2009)
If I remember correctly, VW poached Alfa's then design boss Walter de'Silva and put him in Seat in hopes of turning it into VW's sporting division. So you're wrong - VW actually copied Alfa.
Bloke 12:04PM (7/06/2009)
First off - Seat is not VAG's budget brand. It's essentially their sporting brand with a Meditteranean flair. Seat's design language is echoed that of Alfas in recent years with Alfas closely following suit.
Your comments are your opinion and debatable to say the least. Why on earth you'd think Alfa was imitating a bloated American "crossover" is beyond me.
And specifics? The single chrome front door handle and recessed rear handles to make it appear to be a 2-door car. The trademark Alfa grille. Tapered rear window line. Certainly all very much in keeping with Alfa products over the past twelve years. I'm not quite sure where you'rre getting your "vast expanse that is the front end from" either.
Dondonel 12:07PM (7/06/2009)
Yes, it's horrid. In fact from the entire Fiat/Alfa/Lancia line-up only Fiat 500, Brera and perhaps the 159 should cross the ocean. The rest are a disaster.
zamafir 12:29PM (7/06/2009)
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/alfa-romeo-milano-production-spy-shots/2127054/
The lights, the center grill, the way everything just hangs on the front end without appearing to be sculpted in any way, it feels out of form for alfa, none of the organic curvature of the MiTo or the exactness of the 159, it just feels lazy and vast to me when compared with the rest of alfas lineup.
I understand alfa did not ape the traverse, I simply don't think it's one of their more attractive rear end, or even an adequately penned one considering it's an alfa, it's very off putting, very odd in terms of proportion, just like the traverse.
The entire car, from what we can see (I’m sure alfa will try to dress it up in formal press shots) feels more like a rebranded something else than an entirely alfa design.
Bloke 12:39PM (7/06/2009)
"none of the organic curvature of the MiTo or the exactness of the 159"
Well that's your opinion. My opinion, on the other hand, is that you're clutching at some very loose straws.
dak 11:22AM (7/06/2009)
the front end always remind me of the old man's mustache who was always eating hamburgers on the popeye show.
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DJ 11:10AM (7/06/2009)
The instrument cluster readouts are all in Italian, they'll never sell well in the US!
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inline6 11:15AM (7/06/2009)
I hope that was a joke...
If not, do you honestly think that VW sells its cars in Germany with intrument clusters in English instead of German?
DJ 11:21AM (7/06/2009)
Si, it was a joke! Most cars come preprogrammed for 3, 4 or 5 languages now.
It made me think of times I have inadvertantly hit the language selector on my car and not been able to read it.
I3ziko 12:15PM (7/06/2009)
Alfas will never sell well in the US because americans are fat.
Ben Roethig 2:37PM (7/06/2009)
Yeah, but wouldn't the extra size require for the European ego be able to fit us fat Americans?
David 5:37PM (7/06/2009)
I3ziko:
Oh please...like the British, the Germans, the Czechs and the Poles don't have any fat people! There are many fat Italians too! The only people who aren't fat are the French [kidding ... mostly].
"You Are What You Eat" is a British show, and there's no shortage of "contestants", I'd say.
dak 11:13AM (7/06/2009)
the front end always remind me of the old man's mustache who was always eating hamburgers on the popeye show.
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Smegley 11:16AM (7/06/2009)
You mean Wimpy ....... or Hitler?
inline6 11:13AM (7/06/2009)
I think this is prettier than the MiTo. It looks far less chubby. I want one.
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adam1drift 11:15AM (7/06/2009)
Its an Alfa... and I love it :)
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Quuppa 4:35AM (7/07/2009)
"still has euro plate mounts, so we'll see"
what are euro plate mounts?