2012 Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.4 MultiAir review
New Alfa MiTo MultiAir
By Tim Saunders, 16th November 2011
Italy is having a tough time of it lately.
In a bid to protect the country’s future its longest-serving post war Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been forced to say that he won’t stand at the next election.
2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.4 MultiAir
Italy now must deal with a horrendous £1.6 trillion debt crisis, which some fear is too large even for all the countries in Europe to tackle. This puts Italy on a par with the dire situation in Greece. One saving grace for Italy is that it’s a market leader in fashion and car manufacturing. Greece on the other hand, is not.
The force majeure or perhaps more appropriately in Latin, the vis major behind Italy’s car industry is the Fiat Group (Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino): owner of Ferrari, Maserati, Chrysler, Jeep and Alfa Romeo. Surely any country possessing these brands is sitting pretty?
It has always been the case that those who lusted after an expensive Maserati but didn’t have the funds have looked squarely and firmly in the direction of Alfa as an affordable alternative.
Brand new the MiTo MultiAir 1.4 turbo is yours for under £14,000. It’s only the third Alfa I have driven and it didn’t disappoint. First impressions are that it’s not too dissimilar to the Fiat 500, if a bit bigger. The MiTo’s curvaceous design makes it feel smaller than the competition and crucially its pretty looks instantly charm. That’s what Alfas have always been famous for; clutching at the heart-strings.
2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo 1.4 MultiAir
The MiTo, which was introduced in 2008, now gets a chrome grill and at the front the number plate sits on the right hand side of the bumper, in common with other Alfas. Chrome door handles add a touch of class. Three-door hatches always feel sportier and that also helps the appeal of the MiTo. There’s a decent interior and equipment levels include air-con and cruise control. Owners also receive a luxurious key fob with red leather strap.
The distinctive Alfa test car arrived as a Volvo XC60 was being returned. I felt the latter had too many safety gadgets and gizmos, which were temperamental and hampered my driving pleasure. In contrast the sprightly Alfa has just the right amount of equipment and was easier simply to get in and drive – which is generally what I want from a car. Like any Alfa, it’s the driving experience that sets it apart. Despite its small 1.4-litre petrol engine it’s a good driver’s car that packs a reasonable 105bhp punch whilst still returning over 40mpg.
The engine is fitted with an automatic start/stop function – I’m still to be convinced if this does actually save fuel but I suppose it helps the environment by cutting emissions. I found that long traffic jams can result in the engine frequently cutting out only to restart with the fuel gauge dropping faster than if this facility isn’t used.
New Alfa MiTo MultiAir
The MiTo test took place during yet another particularly challenging time on Britain’s roads and on the first morning, my relaxed journey quickly became more urgent as accidents and roadworks hampered progress. Consequently, some overtaking was required and the MiTo stepped up to the mark.
In 'normal' mode the engine is a little sluggish but select 'dynamic' mode on the dna (dynamic, normal and all-weather) toggle and the steering, throttle, suspension and traction settings noticeably improve. This system is operated by a simple flick of a switch in front of the gear selector and it’s effective; it makes the MiTo feel like it’s had a shot of espresso, making a spirited driver happy. The six-speed manual 'box is a joy to use.
Parkers the car experts say: “Mito is an Italian Mini - the kind of car Alfa Romeo should have been building years ago. It’s trendy, good to drive and is packed with the latest technology, making it ideal for the fashion-conscious car buyer. A year after its launch Alfa raised the bar with its MultiAir models. Buyers who opt for the Mito over the Mini can be confident of owning a car that’s far less common, more attractively priced and better equipped. Strong resale value forecasts and affordable lease and running costs [make it] clear that this is the first Alfa in a very long time that appeals to both the heart and the head.”
The Fiat group will play a key part in reversing the fortunes of Italy and the Alfa Mito has an important role in that mission.
At a glance
Model tested: Alfa Mito 1.4 turbo MultiAir
0-60mph 10.7secs
Top speed: 112mph
Economy: 46mpg
Road tax: £110 a year
New price range: £12,250 - £18,755
Used price range: £6,777 - £13,455
