ROAD TEST
Alfa Romeo MiTo – Test Drive
This is the all-new supermini from Alfa Romeo, it's called the MiTo and is designed to appeal to the 25-35 age group. The name comes from where the car is made - Alfa Romeo's collaboration between the Milano (MI) styling centre, (Alfa Romeo Centro Stile), and the Torino (TO) factory, (Mirafiori). The car seems well priced, and will have three specifications and a choice of five engines from launch. Prices start at £10,745 for the entry level 1.4 16V Alfa MiTo Turismo, and rise to £14,745 for the top of the range 1.4 TB 155bhp Veloce.
LOOKS
Inspired from the Alfa 8C Competizione, the Alfa MiTo has a sporty charm. Walk to the front of the car and there's an impressive shield-shaped grille, it sits at the tip of the sculpted V-shaped bonnet, flanked by clear lens and bug-eyed headlamps. The offset registration plate is so that the air ducts are kept clear – you'll either love it or hate it. We at IMN love it, it makes the Alfa's face a little quirky. Move to the side of the car and you'll see the MiTo has a high waistline, while the wheel arches are flared and the B-pillar is disguised to look like part of the side windows. This adds to the sporty looks. Step around to the rear of the MiTo and the LED tail-lights certainly stand out and the small roof spoiler gives the car a classy finish.
INTERIOR
Jump in and you'll find that the inside of the MiTo is fitted with high quality looking materials. The dash has a carbon fibre-esque look, in-keeping with the sporty exterior. The dials are hooded while the central console comes with a satin finish. Equipped with lots of standard kit, the MiTo has the Mini in its sights. As standard you get aircon and alloys as standard but on our top-of-the-range Veloce model we also had climate control, a multi-function steering wheel and Alfa's Blue&Me interface, which provides Bluetooth mobile phone connection.
PRACTICALITY
The MiTo will only be produced in three-door format to emphasise its sporty character. The driving position is really good and you can fit two adults of average height and build in the rear. Move to the boot and you have a luggage space of 270-litres which is okay for a car of this size, however the single-piece folding rear seat compromises practicality.
ON TEST
Buying an Alfa has usually done with the heart leading the head but as you have been reading the MiTo is about to change this aspect. Not only does it make good business sense to buy a MiTo it has got all the important driving characteristics of its bigger siblings which makes the MiTo a serious rival when comparing to the Mini.
On the road the MiTo perfoprmed really well. We drove the 1.6 JTD engine with 120bhp. It was mated to a smooth shifting six-speed gearbox. Getting past slower traffic should not be a problem as it has 320Nm of torque at just 1750rpm.
However, if you drive enthusiastically then you'll need to read the following carefully and take heed of the MiTo's DNA characteristics. So what is DNA?
It is a three-position switch, situated beside the gearlever and it more importantly alters the throttle response and steering set-up for different driving environments – Dynamic, Normal and All Weather.
The Normal is perfect when in and around town, the Normal setting ensures the engine is tuned for agility in the city. The steering is light and the car feels like a city car in this mode.
Select the Dynamic mode and the MiTo sharpens into a driver's car. The car feels sportier, and the driving experience is enhanced. The power steering is reduced letting the wheel weight-up, the suspension also becomes stiffer, which makes for improved handling. The MiTo handles brilliantly when you introduce the Dynamic mode.
The third setting is for all-weather driving. You should switch the settings to all-weather when you are driving in poor, low-grip weather conditions – loose surfaces, wet or snowy situations. When selected, you can feel that the traction control is working harder, this should also make the MiTo safer to drive in these conditions.
According to Alfa Romeo, until now, no other compact car has benefitted from advanced DNA driving technology derived from racing and supercars. Figures aren't bad either - the MiTo with the 1.6-litre JTD engine with 120bhp can get from zero to 62mph in 9.9 seconds and it has a top speed of 123mph. Alfa Romeo claims our test car will return 58.9mpg on the combined cycle.
AT A GLANCE
| Name/Price: | Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.6 JTD Veloce/From £14,464 |
| Engine/power: | 1.6-litre /120BHP |
| Co2 emissions: | 126g/km |
| Official Combined fuel economy: | 58.8mpg |
IMN VERDICT
The Alfa Romeo MiTo has really taken the game to Mini. The MiTo is loaded with kit and the range starts from £10,745. With the entry level 1.3-litre JTD engine only emitting 119g/km the MiTo is sure to be a success as consumers downsize and go green at the same time.
Simon McBride