Alfa eyes Cooper S

ALFA ROMEO is working on a sub-147 small car aimed at the BMW-built Mini Cooper S. An Automotive News report said Alfa’s parent Fiat Auto had approved the design of the new car, which is known as Junior and is based on Fiat’s Punto platform.

Due in 2008, Junior will have a unique design and is expected to include among its powertrain options a 170kW-plus 1.8-litre direct-injection turbo engine and Alfa’s Q4 part-time four-wheel drive system.