Corvair and MiTo: Similar, Yet 44 Years Apart

Fiat and Chrylser dealerships will finally have some new Italian imports in 2010, the Alfa Romeo MiTo (Myth) and the Fiat 500.

What makes this interesting is that the MiTo is a racey looking aggressive sports car like a Mini-Cooper and highly advanced.  Unqiue for it has a DNA switch for dynamic, normal or all-weather mode. Select one and, get this, the car "recalibrates" its suspension, brakes, steering and engine! The car is a two seater bubble like style with some retro classic Alfa Romeo look. priced at around $20,000, it should be seller to the youth target market. The Fiat 500 is a much more down to earth and practicable car and will sell for around $15,000.

The MiTo specs read very similar to the Chevy Corvair Corsa, now 45 years old or so. How ironic, some things do withstand the test of time. The MiTo weighs in at 2400 lbs, the Corvair, around same. The engine in the MiTo is a 155 hp turbocharged five or six speed engine and races from 0 to 60 mph within 8.5 seconds. Engines with 95 hp reach it within 10.5 seconds. The length is 160 inches, width is 67 in., height is 57 in.

Corvair Corsa could have a 140 hp or 180 hp turbocharged and all had four speed synchromesh transmissions. The car averaged from 0-60 in 10 seconds. While the car was much longer at 183 in., the width was 69 in., and the height was a sleek 52 in, five inches lower than the MiTo!

Of course, Corvairs have 60s technology and no DNA switch, but if one just reads the specs for performance and the 20K price tag for a MiTo, perhaps one should consider the American classic, which in top show condition might sell for 10-15K. Plus, you do have a car that can carry more people and baggage.

Hmmm, why didn't the Italians copy this idea as well?