2010 Alfa Romeo Mito
By Ian Lynas, 18th March 2010
The MiTo has been a resounding success for Alfa Romeo in UK marketmarket; 75% of the Mito's customers are new to this passionate Italian brand and last year in the UK, some 6,000 MiTos took to our roads.
Now there is a new chapter, with the arrival of Multiair versions of the MiTo and with Multiair comes a raft of technical innovations to the world's sportiest compact car and this evolution underlines the company's on-going commitment to reconcile lower emissions and fuel consumption with higher performance and driver satisfaction. The new Euro 5-ready 1.4 litre MultiAir engine has been developed and patented by Fiat Powertrain Technologies and made its international debut in the MiTo late last year, and is initially offered in two turbocharged forms for the UK market.
The 135bhp version of the unit powers the £15,165 Lusso and £16,135 Veloce, while the range-topping £17,895 Cloverleaf boasts 170bhp and a 0-62mph time of just 7.5 seconds, and a combined fuel consumption of 47.1 mpg.
I had the opportunity to test drive two versions, the Veloce and the Cloverleaf. In addition to MultiAir, the new MiTo range showcases a broad spectrum of innovative technologies, including active suspension on the Cloverleaf, the emission-reducing Start&Stop system and Alfa Romeo DNA.
The latter derived from racing, this three-mode electronic system communicates with the engine, brakes, steering, suspension (on MiTo Cloverleaf), and transmission, allowing the driver to adjust the responses of the car to suit driving style and road conditions and take it from me, it works.
The Electronic Q2 limited slip differential heads a number of dynamic driver aids, including a long list of safety systems. Together with the MacPherson strut/torsion beam suspension layout, these all help deliver the handling dynamics and sure footed road-holding capabilities and the MiTo also offers optimum passive safety.
The model's high level of engineering integrity can also be appreciated through the series of improvements that have further increased the quality of the Alfa MiTo. Improvements embrace the interior finish, trim combinations, and gear change quality (the lever on the Cloverleaf has been shortened by 2.5 centimetres) as well as modifications to the steering, suspension and braking systems.
Why Multiair? The Fiat Group's engine designer‘s quest has been clear cut: how to deliver high performance and drivability while, at the same time, significantly reducing emissions and fuel consumption. The key to achieving this is well understood. It requires taking more precise control of the quantity and characteristics of the air drawn into the cylinders in the combustion cycle.
There are numerous electro-mechanical variable valve timing systems in production today that seek to achieve this. But because they usually have only two operating regimes, they are severely limited by the degree of flexibility they can exercise in the valve opening schedules.
MultiAir eliminates these compromises by metering the direct air charge at the cylinder inlet ports with an advanced electro-hydraulic actuation and control system that has no fewer than five basic parameters, and the ability to optimally adjust valve timing and lift between them to exactly suit different engine speeds and loads, ensuring strong low- and mid-range torque and vigorous top-end power, combined with good economy and low emissions. The end results is a CO2 reduction of 10%, a performance increase of 12%, fuel consumption reduced by 10% and better throttle response with less turbo lag,.
The entry-level Turismo versions continue in the MiTo line-up and the MultiAir-engined versions are the Lusso, Veloce and Cloverleaf. Building on the Turismo's long and comprehensive specification list, which includes DNA, Electronic Q2, VDC and electric power-assisted steering, however the Lusso, Veloce and Cloverleaf have distinctive identities of their own.
Lusso versions can be distinguished from Turismo by their 16 inch sports alloy wheel, fog lights, lucid chrome finish headlight surrounds, chrome-effect window sills and chrome exhaust pipes and the interior features a choice of three interior colour combinations. Competizione Blue, Red or Black dashboards can be complemented by the inclusion of different leather and cloth seat colour combinations.
All Lusso models come with lumbar adjustment on the driver’s side. A leather steering wheel and gear knob with steering wheel mounted audio controls complete the look.
Veloce versions are fitted with 17 inch exclusive design alloy wheels, similar to those that appear on the stunning Alfa 8C Competizione, along with satin effect headlight surrounds and wing mirror covers.
The performance focus is further resolved with a rear spoiler and diffuser-style rear bumper. Veloce versions also sport red painted brake calipers. Inside the cabin, the Veloce features the same dashboard options as the Lusso version, but with an upgraded Veloce sports cloth, front armrest with storage compartment and sports dials with white illumination.
All Veloce models come with the Blue&Me hands-free system with voice recognition, and media player with USB port. The Cloverleaf's 17 inch Cloverleaf design alloy wheels are based on those of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione supercar. Other subtle signifiers for the fastest MiTo include an SDC active suspension system which works in conjunction with Alfa Romeo DNA, Cloverleaf badges, matching colours for the headlight frames and wing mirror covers in brushed titanium effect, while the dark finish of the headlight parabolas is achieved by a brand new metal sublimation technology.
The interior also has a refined sporty feel thanks to the all-black surfaces that ensure no reflections or distractions while driving.
The technological aspect of this car is further enhanced by the sporty fabric used to upholster the seats, the modern dashboard and the white lighting on the instrument panel.
Inspired by the Alfa 8C Competizione and designed to appeal to a young, image-conscious audience, the MiTo is available only as a three door hatchback, and is styled to match its description as the sportiest compact car on the market today.
Worth noting that MITo competes in what is the most competitive sector of the market and the biggest in the UK accounting for 27% of all sales.
