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Alfa Romeo Mito MultiAir road test report

MultiAir

Following on from Alfa’s popular new MiTo launched in 2009 comes the MiTo MultiAir. MultiAir is much more than a marketing buzzword as it unquestionably signifies a major advancement in petrol engine design by yielding a 10% reduction in both fuel consumption and CO2 along with a 12.5% increase in power.

Road Test Reports Says 4 star rating
A front-facing image of the Alfa Romeo Mito MultiAir

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TOM SAYS

Performance Performance - 5 stars

Using the revolutionary Fiat-designed MultiAir valve technology, the new 5-speed 1.4 turbo makes 135bhp while the 6-speed 1.4 Cloverleaf makes a brawny 170bhp – both 15bhp more than the engines they replace. Both feature Alfa’s emission-reducing Stop&Start system, while both pull cleanly and strongly from low revs, and rev smoothly and sweetly right up to their 6,500rpm redlines. Neither have quite the raspy exhaust note that you might wish for, but performance isn’t lacking with 0-62 in 8.4secs, 129mph max (135bhp 1.4) and 7.5secs/136mph (170bhp Cloverleaf). Driving is further enhanced by the 3-position DNA system that alters throttle and steering response, while Alfa’s semi-auto, twin-clutch transmission (TCT) is coming soon.

Ride & Handling Ride & Handling - 5 stars

The early MiTo drew slight criticism in some quarters (me included) for its choppy ride quality. It’s hard to draw comparison between MiTos driven in Sussex in Jan ’09 and in Scotland in March ’10, but it would seem that despite a definite deterioration in UK road surfaces in that time there’s been a small improvement in MiTo ride quality, and that’s without considering the new the Cloverleaf’s sophisticated active suspension with its four electronically-controlled dampers. Seriously enthusiastic drivers might note a slight lack of direct driver involvement, but at speed on a challenging, bumpy road the Cloverleaf chassis is superbly well-controlled, very quick and uniquely capable for this class of car.

Build Quality & Reliability Build Quality & Reliability - 3 stars

Neither Alfa or parent Fiat have fared well in customer satisfaction surveys, but the company stresses that it’s continuing to strive tirelessly to improve its reputation in this area. I’m not impressed by the stick-on plastic Cloverleaf emblems, which look like an afterthought if ever there was one, but besides that there’s little if anything to fault on the MiTo. Poking around inside, and under bonnet and boot, there’s nothing obviously amiss, while the paintwork, quality of materials and general fit and finish all appear to be well up to par.

Safety & Security Safety & Security - 5 stars

During development Alfa conducted over 500 crash tests on the MiTo, so if it hadn’t collected its maximum 5-star Euro NCAP rating then there would have been much disappointment in Turin. Helping to boost the MiTo’s safety credentials, and in no particular order, are: seven airbags, active head restraints, ABS with EBD, VDC (Alfa’s ESP), ASR, CBC, DST, MCF, FPS, ECS, SBR, DSTS, TPMS, HBA and Hill Holder, plus Alfa’s Electronic Q2 limited-slip diff, the aforementioned DNA system and the Cloverleaf’s active suspension (SDC). Additionally, the LED hazard flashers activate automatically under heavy braking. Remote central locking with alarm and immobiliser is standard on all models.

Space & Practicality Space & Practicality - 3 stars

Despite the average MiTo buyer currently being 39, the MiTo is aimed at cool, young, image-conscious buyers, so if you want five-doors or acres of space in the rear, then look elsewhere. The MiTo is best from the front seats, where the curvy, 8C supercar-influenced carbon- and aluminium-effect dash, instrumentation and centre console dominate. Both MiTo MultiAirs I drove had optional ‘Frau’ leather upholstery, (which helped bump-up my test Cloverleaf’s price to £20,475 otr), but leather aside the MiTo imparts the strong impression that you’re in something much more macho than a Punto-sized supermini. And the 270-litre boot (seats up) is an awful lot bigger than any supercar’s.

Ownership & Value Ownership & Value - 4 stars

The 135bhp 1.4 MultiAir Lusso is £15,165 otr, while the 1.4 Cloverleaf version retails for £17,895 otr, plus any optional extras. So yes, the new MultiAir models are indeed pricier than the equivalent outgoing petrol-engined MiTo’s, but the new 135bhp 1.4 achieves an impressive 50.4mpg (combined) along with 129g/km of CO2 (band D) – a 4.1mpg and 16g/km improvement while the 170bhp Cloverleaf manages 47.1mpg with 139g/km (band E) – a 3.6mpg and 14g/km improvement. Couple those figures with the previously mentioned 15 extra horsepower and it’s plain to see that the unique-to-Fiat/Alfa MultiAir system is a lot cleverer than its mundane name suggests.

Submitted: 11/03/2010 14:40:52

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