According to media reports abroad, entry level versions of the Alfa Romeo Mito will be fitted with Fiat's radical two-cylinder TwinAir petrol engine from 2012.
The new engine offering will reportedly coincide with a mild facelift that's planned for the small Alfa for the 2012 model year.
Despite it displacing just 875cc and having only two cylinders, the turbocharged TwinAir engine punches well above its weight in performance terms, while also offering ultra-frugal economy.
Although the TwinAir engine fitted to the Fiat 500 produces just 63kW, the most powerful version of the engine will be good for 78kW, the latter version being the most likely starter for the Alfa range.
The engine will, of course, be mated to stop-start technology and with all factors combined, could sip as little as 4.5 litres per 100km on the combined cycle.
The TwinAir technology uses electro-hydraulic valve management to cut fuel consumption by controlling air directly via the inlet valves without throttle intervention.
The Fiat 500 TwinAir models emit 30 percent less CO2 than conventional engines of the same performance level, the Dualogic gearbox version producing just 92g/km of CO2. The engine also provides 15 percent more torque at lower rpm.