2009 Alfa Romeo 149 spied

The new-generation Alfa Romeo 149 has been spied prowling the streets of Italy, and is due to arrive in showrooms overseas in the next few months. The successor to the current 147 will go head to head with its main rival, the Volkswagen Golf, boasting the usual level of Alfa Romeo flair and style.

These latest spy shots reveal a face similar to the recently revealed MiTo small hatch and 8C sports coupe, bringing the 149 in line with the new style direction of the brand. At 4.30metres long, it comes very close to the former Alfa 156 in size, but is actually based on the platform of the current Fiat Bravo.

The new 149 will be available in five-door guise only, using a series of turbocharged petrol engines ranging between 89kW and 198kW with a V6-powered GTA flagship model. Like the Junior, the new 149 will receive a six-speed manual gearbox with an automatic being available as an option for some engines.

© Source: caradvice
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Alfa Romeo 149

Alfa Romeo 149 will be offered in both three and five doors version and will go on sale in the middle of next year as a direct rival to Ford’s Focus (European version).

The 149 is based on the same platform as the Fiat Bravo and Lancia Delta. Just like the Alfa’s smallest car, the MiTo, the 149 will borrow from the lines of the 8C Competizione and translate it into a small hatch — not a bad place to start. Under the hood Alfa Romeo will place a range of 1.4-liter gas turbo and 1.9 diesel units ranging from 120bhp to 250bhp.

This is the exact kind of design that will make small cars popular in the U.S. If (and this is a big IF) Alfa can bring this here as both stylish and frugal, it may have a revolution on its hands.

© Source: topspeed
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