Barely two years into its production, the baby of the Alfa range gets a major update with a change of heart. And what a heart it is. The latest MultiAir powerplant is based on the Fiat group's long-running 1.4-litre 'FIRE' block. The latest iteration of the engine gets a new cylinder head and a low pressure turbo to help it along.
The MutiAir system claims to increase power by up to 10% along with torque at 15%. The greatest push factor for this technology is that despite the power and torque increases, it reduces both consumption and emissions by as much as 10%.
Exterior
On the outside, the Mito appears similar to previous Mitos with no discernible changes. While the Alfa Mito might be the baby of the range, it shares several styling cues with the 8C. The Mito seems to derive most of its front fascia design from the 8C Competizione. From the doe-eyed headlamps to the bulbous 'nose' that protrudes onto the front bumper and the Alfa Romeo shield, it's all 8C derived. Even the roof-line parallels those on the 8C but it's not like we're complaining.
Muscular wheel arches give warning that this is not a shopping kart for the missus. Hidden under those arches, you have an option to fit up to 17 inch alloys (personally I love the rims shared with the 8C on the Mito).
The MutiAir system claims to increase power by up to 10% along with torque at 15%. The greatest push factor for this technology is that despite the power and torque increases, it reduces both consumption and emissions by as much as 10%.
Exterior
On the outside, the Mito appears similar to previous Mitos with no discernible changes. While the Alfa Mito might be the baby of the range, it shares several styling cues with the 8C. The Mito seems to derive most of its front fascia design from the 8C Competizione. From the doe-eyed headlamps to the bulbous 'nose' that protrudes onto the front bumper and the Alfa Romeo shield, it's all 8C derived. Even the roof-line parallels those on the 8C but it's not like we're complaining.
Muscular wheel arches give warning that this is not a shopping kart for the missus. Hidden under those arches, you have an option to fit up to 17 inch alloys (personally I love the rims shared with the 8C on the Mito).
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Although the taut rear end does give hint that it can probably take quite a bit of shopping.
A discrete badge adorns the tailgate to give a name to this feisty little hatch. On both extreme ends you find another 8C inspired touch. LED ringed taillights with chrome surrounds. These lights look great on the 8C but seem to be an afterthought when placed on the Mito.
Interior
Enter into the baby Alfa's interior and you immediately get a sense of the Mito's purpose. The interior is covered in what Alfa calls the Competizione trim.
It's available in black, blue and red. Our test car came in the black trim. This trim mimics the weave of dry carbon fibre and gives the interior a racy and purposeful look. The trim extends from the dashboard to both driver and passenger doors.
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Besides the racy carbon fibre look, the cockpit is filled with knurled metal details as well. Take for example the gear shift with its knurled bezel. Another piece of great detailing can be found on the D.N.A switch that's placed just before the gear shift. Placed in an all metal enclosure with a knurled metal switch to alter the driving characteristic of the Mito to suit your driving.
Hidden behind the steering is the Mito's chrono-looking instrument cluster that completes the sporty look of the interior. Everything on the panel is labelled in Italian for that exotic effect. For example the fuel indicator is labelled as 'Benzina' and the tachometer is known as 'Giri'.
In the audio department the Mito comes with a decent Blaupunkt six-speaker system. The audio system might do the part but the grey plastic surrounding it doesn't. Alfa should've considered other materials that could've raised the upmarket feel of the interior.
Just below the audio system lies the interior comfort control panel. For the price that this Alfa is commanding, it would've been decent of them to provide a digital climate control. But in the Mito, an analog climate control comes as standard with the digital variant available as an option.
Driving position can be adjusted through the reach and rake adjustable steering wheel. Although the wheel is adjustable, the lowest position still doesn't seem low enough to get that sportscar driving position.
Hidden behind the steering is the Mito's chrono-looking instrument cluster that completes the sporty look of the interior. Everything on the panel is labelled in Italian for that exotic effect. For example the fuel indicator is labelled as 'Benzina' and the tachometer is known as 'Giri'.
In the audio department the Mito comes with a decent Blaupunkt six-speaker system. The audio system might do the part but the grey plastic surrounding it doesn't. Alfa should've considered other materials that could've raised the upmarket feel of the interior.
Just below the audio system lies the interior comfort control panel. For the price that this Alfa is commanding, it would've been decent of them to provide a digital climate control. But in the Mito, an analog climate control comes as standard with the digital variant available as an option.
Driving position can be adjusted through the reach and rake adjustable steering wheel. Although the wheel is adjustable, the lowest position still doesn't seem low enough to get that sportscar driving position.
The car I tested came with seats that were wrapped in soft leather. The seats are manual and could be forgiven because they do save weight which makes sense in a sporty hot hatch.
That aside, the seats do give a snug fit that will keep your bum to the seat during those enthusiastic drives which I think will be the only sort of driving Mito owners will be doing.
In the rear, the seats fit snugly as well but not in a way you would like. Once I climbed in the back with the front seat (adjusted to my driving position) retracted, it felt a little too tight and legroom was scarce. Petite rear seat passengers will be right at home but taller male passengers might feel a little claustrophobic.
Boot space in the Mito comes in abundance but is vertically deep which means you will have to lift your load over the high tailgate in order to get it in. The boot can be expanded by folding down the rear seats with a 60/40 split for longer cargo.
The Drive
Besides the new 1.4-litre MultiAir powerplant, the Mito also gets the latest Twin Clutch Transmission (TCT) borne from the Fiat Group. The six-speed transmission uses a dry double clutch setup that is similar to Volkswagen's DSG gearbox.
That aside, the seats do give a snug fit that will keep your bum to the seat during those enthusiastic drives which I think will be the only sort of driving Mito owners will be doing.
In the rear, the seats fit snugly as well but not in a way you would like. Once I climbed in the back with the front seat (adjusted to my driving position) retracted, it felt a little too tight and legroom was scarce. Petite rear seat passengers will be right at home but taller male passengers might feel a little claustrophobic.
Boot space in the Mito comes in abundance but is vertically deep which means you will have to lift your load over the high tailgate in order to get it in. The boot can be expanded by folding down the rear seats with a 60/40 split for longer cargo.
The Drive
Besides the new 1.4-litre MultiAir powerplant, the Mito also gets the latest Twin Clutch Transmission (TCT) borne from the Fiat Group. The six-speed transmission uses a dry double clutch setup that is similar to Volkswagen's DSG gearbox.
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Unfortunately like the Volkswagen box, the baby Alfa similarly suffers the same jerks experienced in the first two gears. This is a problem that is made more profound by the sensitive throttle mapping that makes it difficult to pull away smoothly.
The Mito's D.N.A selector switch located just next to the gear stick changes the Mito's driving characteristics from Dynamic to Normal to All weather.
When in Normal mode, the steering is light especially at low speed to aid in parking (helpful for female drivers) but firms up gradually as speed increases (think: BMW's Dynamic Steering). The engine is pushing 0.8 bar in this mode and throttle sensitivity is reduced.
Though the steering sharpens noticeably in 'Dynamic' mode, for some inexplicable reason the feel however remains aloof and detached from the front wheels.
Despite the lack of feel however, the Mito still feels sure footed in the bends but the lack of communication with the front wheels does dampen the cornering experience.
The Mito's D.N.A selector switch located just next to the gear stick changes the Mito's driving characteristics from Dynamic to Normal to All weather.
When in Normal mode, the steering is light especially at low speed to aid in parking (helpful for female drivers) but firms up gradually as speed increases (think: BMW's Dynamic Steering). The engine is pushing 0.8 bar in this mode and throttle sensitivity is reduced.
Though the steering sharpens noticeably in 'Dynamic' mode, for some inexplicable reason the feel however remains aloof and detached from the front wheels.
Despite the lack of feel however, the Mito still feels sure footed in the bends but the lack of communication with the front wheels does dampen the cornering experience.
The ride in the Mito remains the same. In other words, firm as Alfa sought to develop the suspension more for handling prowess than comfort. Though to be honest the ride comfort isn't spine shattering.
Conclusion
The new Mito benefits greatly from the new MultiAir powerplant. Combined with fuel saving features like the Start-Stop system (which can be disengaged if you so choose), the little Alfa achieves impressive economy figures that rival diesel counterparts. At 18.2km/l, the new Mito is a quantum leap over the older model.
While Alfa might need to sort out the TCT some more to eliminate the jerkiness experienced, we do appreciate their efforts.
Nevertheless we still love the elegant beauty that the Mito is but we'll still take a manual any day. Afterall, Alfa diehards would always rather do it themselves...
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
Conclusion
The new Mito benefits greatly from the new MultiAir powerplant. Combined with fuel saving features like the Start-Stop system (which can be disengaged if you so choose), the little Alfa achieves impressive economy figures that rival diesel counterparts. At 18.2km/l, the new Mito is a quantum leap over the older model.
While Alfa might need to sort out the TCT some more to eliminate the jerkiness experienced, we do appreciate their efforts.
Nevertheless we still love the elegant beauty that the Mito is but we'll still take a manual any day. Afterall, Alfa diehards would always rather do it themselves...
What do you think? Jot down your opinions at the comment box below.
