Alexandre
The Alfa Romeo Milano is due to be fully unveiled on April 10, Abarth for its part, shares a trickle of photos of its forthcoming model derived from the Fiat 600. Among these photos, the interior caught our eye, because it reveals similarities, but also differences, with regard to the leaked 3D images of the Milano interior.
As usual with leaked images (aka leaks) we're never sure they're 100 % authentic. So when Abarth shares a photo of the 600's interiorIt's worth a look. As a reminder, the Jeep Avenger, Fiat 600 and Abarth 600 share the same platform, the same factory and numerous components. So it's a good way to compare similarities and differences.
To begin with the element that shares the most similarities, the door interioralso known as door trim. The two models, 600 and Milano, are very similar in every respect. The only difference may lie in the materials used.
As far as the center console is concerned, there are both similarities and differences. The part that incorporates the handbrake button has been specially worked on the Alfa Romeo to reveal what could be the handbrake button. driving mode selector and display. For the rest, whether it's the armrest or the two storage spaces, the locations are the same.
The most reworked element is clearly the instrument panel.. The car's air vents, the location of the central screen and the shape of the meters have all been reworked. The only similarities are the physical buttons used to adjust temperature and ventilation, and to switch the multimedia system on and off.
As far as the steering wheel is concerned, we can see similarities in terms of dimensions and button placement. However, small visual details mean that the two steering wheels will be quite different in form.
It's a pity we don't have more visuals of the upholstery, as those of the Abarth 600 reveal bucket seats with upholstery resembling Alcántara.
In any case, it's good to see that the Alfa Romeo will probably have the most different interior from its technical cousins. We're also hoping for a little more color choice than the ubiquitous black of all new models.
Apart from the interior of the Abarth 600e, which doesn't look too bad (the bucket seats are good), I'd be curious to see the performance and enjoyment of the 240 hp models, whether it's the Abarth 600e, the future Lancia Ypsilon HF, or the Alfa Romeo Milano if it's offered with this engine.
I'd really like to be enthusiastic, given the long wait and the promise of a series of future models, but all I see here is minimal customization, and not a premium model (even if I'm aware that this term is now totally emptied of meaning with the example of Volvo's EX30, all hard plastics and a Chinese platform). So we're going to add a semblance of scudetto to the Fiat's steering wheel, use the same door trim, Peugeot's gear selector, and so on. What was possible just between the Italians with the Giulia (an exclusive interior and platform) becomes impossible with the French. I can think of only one logical explanation: the need to feed ever more voracious shareholders.