Unsurprisingly, of the twelve vehicles whose crash test results were released today by Euro NCAP, eight of them were awarded with a maximum of five stars. Euro NCAP’s top scorers for adult occupant protection in this release were the Alfa Romeo Mito, Ford Fiesta, Peugeot 308CC, Volkswagen Golf VI, Renault Megane, Honda Accord, Opel Insignia and the Volvo XC60. Oddly enough, and even though the new Ford Ka shares the same platform and mechanics with the Fiat 500 which has obtained a five-star rating, Ford’s mini was awarded with four stars.

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The French motor show will see the world debut of the sporty TI version of the Alfa Brera that is due to go on sale in autumn 2008. TI, which stands for Turismo Internazionale, is an acronym used by Alfa on its series models to denote high-end specification trim packages that include mechanical and styling changes. The Brera TI will initially be available with two gasoline engines, the 185HP 2.2-liter JTS and the 260HP 3.2-liter V6. The latter is paired with Alfa’s Q4 permanent four-wheel-drive system.

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Alfa targets mini with 2009 Mito hatchback

SPECS
ON SALE: Now, in Europe
BASE PRICE: $22,000 (est)
DRIVETRAIN: 1.4-liter, 155-hp, 170-lb-ft turbocharged I4; FWD, six-speed manual
CURB WEIGHT: 2,524 lb
0-60 MPH: 8.0 sec (mfr)
FUEL ECONOMY (EPA): 36 mpg (est)

The best, Alfa Romeo boss Luca De Meo insists, is yet to come. Those are strong words when you consider the great interior design, swooping body and ultrasecure handling package of the new MiTo, but there is truth in what he says. The big technology is still cooking in Torino, and by the time the MiTo arrives in 2010, it will have both a revolutionary camless engine and a direct-shift gearbox.

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In its latest issue, Italian car magazine Quattroruote has an article on Alfa Romeo’s new mid-sized sedan that will replace the 159. According to Quattroruote’s sources, the 159’s successor will revive the famed Giulia nameplate as the Italian company is replacing its current system of numeric model names for more personal ones.

Unfortunately, Alfa won’t be reviving the original Giulia’s rear-wheel-drive layout as the Italian sedan will be based on a modified version of the Lancia Delta / Fiat Bravo platform. Like the 159, the new Giulia will be offered in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions. In terms of styling, Quattroruote’s artists suggest that like the Mito, the Giulia will feature a front end inspired from the 8c Competizione.

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It’d be hard to ask for more than what the spectacular Alfa 8C Competizione already offers, but Alfa Romeo intends to do just that. So after announcing the initial run of 500 coupes, Alfa will begin production of 500 roadsters. But in case that weren’t enough, reports have been circulating of two new 8Cs to follow. On the one hand we have the 8C’s successor, which Alfa’s PR people hope will be based on the Ferrari California. On the other we have the more focused GTA version of the current coupe.

While earlier reports suggested that the new second-generation Ferrari-based 8C could arrive in time for Alfa Romeo’s 100 year anniversary in 2010, sources now suggest that it will be the 8C GTA that will arrive for the big celebration. Applying the magic formula of less weight and more power, the GTA is tipped to shed some 150 kg (330 lbs), while power from the 4.7-liter V8 is anticipated to climb from its current 450hp to a nice round 500. (If you remember writing your SATs, think GTA is to 8C as Scuderia is to F430 and you’re a shoe-in for your top choice.) Only 100 examples are reportedly on the table, and you can bet they’ll sell out faster than a “waste management consultant” with priors.

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