WITH unique styling plus a lively engine, the new Alfa Romeo MiTo makes a play for younger buyers a new comer to the Alfa brand.

But will they care about the dynamic shortfalls of your Fiat Punto-based platform and questionable Italian ergonomics, or will they fall in love with the spirit of La Dolce Vita, meaning 'the sweet life'?

Alfa Romeo estimates that enough Australians will fall for the three-door hatch to account for one-third of all its sales next year, which explains the big MiTo advertising campaign launched in front of its release.