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It's the Alfa Romeo Milano after all

We wound through as many switchbacks as found on the Brennero Pass when trying to decide ahead of time whether Alfa Romeo would name its coming subcompact SUV the Brennero. A set of GPS coordinates in a post on X turned us around again just a few days ago. The deceptions are finally done, Alfa Romeo declaring the name of its new entry-level offering: Milano. Most Americans will know the name as a cookie, either the original from Pepperidge Farm (derived from a cookie called "Naples") or the horde of imitations that Pepperidge Farm has taken legal action against. Many American enthusiasts will know the Alfa Romeo Milano as a sedan made from 1985 to 1992, called the 75 in other markets as a nod to the brand's 75th anniversary and one of our Future Classics. As with the previous Milano, this one that debuts next April comes with historical associations. The name honors the classic sedan as well as the automaker's hometown of Milan, a city doubly honored on this vehicle by bearing Milanese symbols in its logo: The cross and the Biscione serpent, the coat of arms of the Visconti family. Alfa classifies this as a Sport Urban Vehicle to succeed the Giulietta and Mito; as an entry-level offering beneath the Tonale, if the Brennero adopts dimensions of the sibling Jeep Avenger, the Brennero will be about 16 inches shorter than the Tonale, its roof about three inches lower.  Alfa Romeo saying the Milano "will also be available in a 100% electric version" provides confirmation of both ICE and EV powertrains, mimicking the choices for the Avenger. The ICE option could be the Avenger's mild hybrid, built around a 1.2-liter three-cylinder and making a combined 154 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, or a more powerful setup used by Peugeot. As for the EV, assuming no change from the Avenger, the Milano would get a 54-kWh battery and front axle e-motor making 154 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque, and around the same 248 miles on a charge on the WLTP cycle. More speculative speculation supposes there could be a dual-motor all-wheel-drive Brennero evolved from the drivetrain in the Avenger 4x4 Concept, perhaps arriving for the 2025 model year in the Alfa, the Avenger, and the Fiat 600e. Just like we don't get the Avenger, we don't expect the Milano to make it this far north if it crosses the Atlantic. We'll know what other markets can expect when the SUV debuts in April 2024.

You probably won't see FCA's famous Easter eggs on an Alfa Romeo

They started in Jeeps, with images of seven-slot grilles showing up on windshield edges, the text "SINCE 1941" appearing in the clear plastic of headlight units, and a relief map of Moab engraved into a rubber cubby liner. Then a Chrysler got a map of Detroit and the outline of Laguna Seca materialized near the Viper's window switch. We've come to call them Easter eggs, but Klaus Busse points out that they were never really meant to be secrets, just ways to dress up what he calls "dead plastic." He's nevertheless cool with the phrase being applied and likes the enthusiastic response these design details get. Busse is intimately familiar with many of them, having signed off on many of them in his time as head interior designer for FCA's US operations. He recently moved to Europe to lead Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and Fiat design there, so when I caught up with him next to the new Stelvio crossover at the Alfa stand in LA, I had to ask: Are we going to see any of those neat design details in Alfas or Maseratis anytime soon? The short answer is no. But he didn't say it's out of the question. Busse said if, for example, a designer wanted to put an Italian phrase somewhere on a car that was in keeping with the brand, he would allow it. Although he didn't come out and say it, it seems like he might feel this type of fun design element isn't necessarily appropriate for a higher-end brand like Alfa. And I get that. But I'm still going to check all the compartments of that new Alfa crossover for a map of the Stelvio Pass. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio: LA 2016 View 11 Photos Design/Style LA Auto Show Alfa Romeo Jeep 2016 LA Auto Show easter egg

Just 45% of Fiat dealers are profitable, and they're angry about it

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On average, Fiat dealers have only been selling about 17 cars a month.
We've been wondering for some time how Fiat dealers in North America have been getting along with just one model range in their showrooms up until recently. Franchisees spent millions building, stocking and manning sleek new 'studio' showrooms, only to have but a single model to sell, the cherubic 500. And even with its many derivatives, the Cinquecento is still an inexpensive model with its attendant lower margins. Perhaps it should come as no surprise then, that just 45 percent of US Fiat dealers are said to be profitable.