Beauties purr over Alfa Romeo's sporty hatchback

Inspired design-wise by the muscular 8C Competizione sports car, Alfa Romeo's MiTo hatchback is getting a lot of love from the girls. At the packed grand opening of the Italian carmaker's Hong Kong showroom in Wan Chai on Friday, the sporty supermini had celebrity beauties Ella Koon Yan-na, Jennifer Tse Ting-ting and Alice B singing its sweet praise.

Koon likened the car to herself - cute and feminine on the outside with a powerful 'voice' (we assume she means the engine) underneath. The eco-conscious Tse felt the car's new MultiAir engine - which cuts down emissions by 10 per cent from older models - was a step in the right direction for the future of our planet.

Would-be speedster Alice B donned full racing leathers and helmet for the event, in colours that matched the fire-engine red exterior and interior of her 'dream vehicle'. Amazingly, the model looked cool and poised, despite the thick body suit and the sweltering temperatures inside the showroom that had other guests dripping sweat into their drinks.