The rumors say that, if the Alfa Romeo MiTo makes it to America in 2010, there should be several different configurations available. Besides an estate and a three door, there could very well be a convertible quite similar to the snappy rendition shown above. Based on the Fiat Grande Punto platform, the drop-top would give the Mini convertible some competition for buyer's euros dollars. Early word is all four motor options, including a diesel, will be turbo-charged and capable of churning out 90 to a 155 galloping horses. No word on what kind of mileage figures to expect yet but we think it's safe to assume that it will meet and probably exceed those of it's BMW-built Mini competitor.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Fiat hasn't sold cars in the U.S. market in more than two decades, but they could be coming back within two years. At least the tiny 500 could be on its way. Fiat was already known to be looking for a location for a North American assembly plant to produce Alfa Romeos for our market. Alfas are scheduled to be on sale here around the end of 2009 and a plant is scheduled to be online by 2010. The same plant could also end up producing the 500. Speaking at a conference in Europe last week, Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne declared that he felt the 500 could prove popular in the U.S. market and could be sold as a stand-alone brand in much the same way that MINI stands apart from parent BMW. Marchionne wants to finish rolling out the rest of the 500 lineup before launching it in the US. Next year a convertible will join the current 3-door hatch and a longer wheelbase model à la the MINI Clubman will follow a year later. If the 500 is built here, the upcoming Alfa Romeo Mi.To could also join the party, making for a fascinating lineup of small cars.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]

Click above to view high-res gallery of the Alfa Romeo Kamal concept

Car-obsessed Americans will get another chance at the historic Alfa Romeo brand soon enough, as the company is planning on a resurgence for the U.S. market. As is the current trend among automakers, along with the beautiful range of automobiles that the Italian marque will be bringing to our shores, it plans on offering a crossover as well. Expect something in line with BMW's current utility vehicle offerings. What's more interesting to us at AutoblogGreen, though, is a possible hybrid system snagged from Fiat, which owns Alfa. Even if the full hybrid drivetrain is left off the docket, at the very least, a mild hybrid system in the form of stop/start will almost assuredly be available.

As an aside, take a good look at the Kamal concept from 2003. Looks a bit like the Subaru Tribeca before its last redesign, wouldn't you say?

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via Autoblog]

At Geneva Motor Show earlier this month Alfa Romeo introduced their new mini-car, the Mi.To. Now they've released a cool video showing that just because a car is small and economical, it doesn't mean that fun has to be left behind. Back in my former life before I started writing full-time, I was a controls engineer developing software for ABS, traction and stability control systems. That required spending many winter weeks and months in snowy northern climes like Sault Ste. Marie and Arvidsjaur, Sweden. This particular video takes me back to those days of blasting around on frozen lakes in Sweden. The smaller cars, like Opel Astras, were usually the preferred vehicles for their toss-ability. It looks like the even smaller Mi.To again proves you don't need big power to have fun. Check out the video after the jump.

[Source: YouTube via World Car Fans]

The Alfa Romeo 159 is probably one of the best looking mid-sized sedans around right now and our friends in Australia are getting a new engine and gearbox option in their's. The Aussie version already had a 2.4L turbo-diesel available, but now a 1.9L entry-level diesel is being made available. The 147 hp turbo-diesel has 236 lb-ft of twist, and achieves 33mpg on the combined driving cycle. Both diesels as well as the 3.2L V-6 are available with a new Q-Tronic 6-speed automatic transmission that features manual selection shifting and an optional paddle shifter. Hopefully, someday we will see these Alfas back here in the States, complete with diesels that provide good mileage and fun driving.

[Source: Alfa Romeo Australia via WorldCar Fans]

Many of us green-minded car nuts have at one point or another suffered from the worst of all diametrical battles within - high performance v. high mileage. I'll be the first to admit that some years ago I owned a '69 Alfa Romeo GTV. The engine displaced just under 1.8 liters, but with high-performance camshafts and a stripped-out fuel injection system replaced by two 45mm Weber side-draft carburetors, mileage wasn't exactly an underlying (or even peripheral) theme. Now that I'm older and wiser, the car is gone and I've actually been able to manage a relatively small carbon footprint, but it's always interesting to hear the stories of others and their respective transitions from guzzler to green.

Alex Williams has a particularly interesting story which was printed in Wednesday's New York Times. He describes himself as a "pale green" environmentalist who's concerned about global warming, air pollution and oil dependency, though, he still loves muscle cars. In an effort to start his self re-education, he took a Prius out for a test drive. I won't synopsize the whole story as you should read it yourself, but there's one humorous bit I'll give up before you click the link.

He describes a recent hybrid convert from California who owns both a Prius and a 7.0-liter Corvette Z06. The gentleman says that driving the Prius is like a competition, although one in which you try to achieve the best possible gas mileage. "You're trying to stay above the 50 mile-per-gallon level, and it's usually just out of reach - Okay, the light is turning yellow up there, turn, better ease off the gas and let the brakes regenerate... It's so fun to watch it, and see if you can maximize."

If you feel those pangs of remorse when polishing your 'Stang or the pangs of desire when you see someone else's, take a look at the article and sympathize with Alex.

[Source: New York Times]

After showing off one of the hottest concepts in the form of the 8C Competizione at the Paris Auto Show, Alfa Romeo is now making some greenish news in motorsports. According to Auto Industry, U.K. magazine Autosport is reporting that the Italian automaker will return to the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) with a manufacturer-backed team and two diesel-powered vehicles. Autosport says that the decision was approved at the board level in September and that a racing version of the 147 is currently under development. It's speculated that four gasoline-powered race cars will accompany the two diesels.

This August article on the Autosport website discusses Alfa's decision to use the 147 over the 159 in a speculated full return to the series, but it doesn't make any references to diesel power plants. I wasn't able to find similar news from any other sources, so let's keep our fingers crossed and hope this isn't just a bunch of baloney (...er prosciutto).

[Source: Auto Industry]