Spy shots: 2010 Alfa Romeo Milano

Fiat and Chrysler’s alliance has been officially signed, many are anticipating a new Chrysler sedan based on an upcoming Alfa Romeo model. That’s the 2010 Alfa Romeo Milano, which is scheduled to make its debut at this September's Frankfurt Motor Show.

The 2010 Alfa Romeo Milano has been spied testing near the Nurburgring in Germany. Though camouflage does hide the details of its form, the five-door layout and sharing of the new 8C-inspired design theme are evident. The profile and raked belt line are distinctly Alfa, while the outline of the headlights and the protruding grille border indicate that the Milano will bear a style similar to that of the Alfa Romeo Mito.

The 2010 Alfa Romeo Milano is expected to share Fiat’s C-Evo platform with the Lancia Delta and Alfa Romeo Bravo, contrary to earlier reports of the car getting an all-new platform. Power is expected to come from Fiat’s main engine line, starting with a four-cylinder petrol engine developing 90kW, through to a 198kW 3.2 litre V6 mill. And the car will feature Fiat’s Q2 front-wheel-drive system as standard, while the Q4 all-wheel-drive system will appear as an option.

Sometime after the car's debut, a high-performance GTA model, like the MiTo's recently unveiled version, is also expected to join the line-up.

The new Alfa will come despite a planned halt in production to bring stock in line with demand. By splitting the existing 147 line into the MiTo and Milano, it allows the company to retain existing customers of the range while targeting new ones at both ends of the spectrum. The smaller and more efficient MiTo can play toward the younger and more urban crowds, while the Milano should scale well with the more affluent and suburban lifestyles.