Alfa Mito: Where and when, and will they accept my firstborn?

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A few weeks ago we had a story on the new Alfa Romeo MiTo which is now in the running for the sexiest small car on the big blue ball. Looking like a pocket version of the 8C Competizione, the MiTo -- the name is a mashup of Torino and Milano (the industrial and styling centers for Alfa) -- caused a small panic among readers desperate to get something both fun and fuel efficient. Where and when can I get one!? they demanded in tones of increasing incivility.

Nothing is definite, you understand, but since the story came out, Alfa and BMW have announced details of their broad-based partnership. Item A: BMW, through its Mini Brand, will help Alfa Romeo return to the USA by 2010. This will help Alfa’s problem of having, ahem, no dealerships in the U.S. Item B: BMW and Alfa will share B and C (small- to mid-sized) platforms: Item C; Alfa wants its first car in the States to be small five-door premium hatchback, a small wagon. BUT, the Alfa MiTo could be federalized for sale in the U.S.

It adds up to this: MiTo is a strong candidate to be the second Alfa in the U.S. market in the second half of 2010. Mebbe.

--Dan Neil

Photos: Alfa Romeo