A stealthily-clad Alfa Romeo 149 has been snapped while out and about in Turin. Due to go on sale this summer, the successor to the nine year-old 147 will face strong competition in the form of the recently revised VW Golf and the new Vauxhall Astra.

At 4.3 metres long the 149 is only 100mm shorter than the old Alfa 156 saloon, and is set to come in five-door guise only. Based on the familiar Bravo platform, the 149 might be a Fiat underneath yet clearly has Alfa blood.

The pictures reveal compact front lights, similar to those of the MiTo and a stubby front end. The rear of the car features protruding round brake lights, again similar to the MiTo, with further LEDs across the boot lid, not dissimilar to those of the 159.

The 149 will feature a six-speed manual gearbox, with an automatic provided as an option. Power is expected to come from 1.4-litre petrol turbo and 1.9 diesel units ranging from 120bhp to 250bhp. Hot versions will get the Q2 diff to maximise traction.

Available in both three and five-door bodystyles, the new Alfa is due to go on sale early next year, with prices starting at around £16,500.

Looks nice, but I'd really lose the rubber coating.

So, how many doors will it come with then?

This will be just a 5 door version

The MiTo will be the 3 door version

yep, 5 doors. The 147 only had 5 doors, and this wil continue the trend...

Not liking the idea of a 1.4... They released my 146 and 145 in 1.4 guise, but only released it in Europe and Ireland. Should stick with the popular 1.6 TS.

Cant wait to see if a GTA version is released... or to go back to old school and have the Cloverleafs and QVs

They should make a GTa with Q4 Go chasing the impreza's.

One thing though, its a 4 door. It has four doors. Not 5. Why do they call the boot a door? Are they idiots?

It's a door in the way it has hinges and angles outwards for access. But in the same way it has a petrol door and an engine door. I don't like it either.

Ive always been confsed by it all, but arent 5 doors only given the name on Hatchbacks?

Saloons are 4 door usually, or am I mistaken?

Yeah your right craig. A four door is a saloon. It silly though, the only time the hatch acts as a door is when your putting captives / dead bodies / your dog in there, so it shouldnt really count, like a bonnet or fuel cap, or glove box or sunroof.