Car Star: Alfa Romeo MiTo

Everything about this month’s Car Star is loveable. Although it has been heavily advertised and widely welcomed by the motoring press, there still seems to be a lack of them yet hitting the road, and it is for this reason that the Alfa Romeo MiTo is August’s Car Star.

Introduced in January, the MiTo is described as a ‘sporty compact’ which makes me think of a small make-up kit for use in the gym after a sweaty work-out. Not particularly helpful description, as I immediately want to put it in the handbags of ladies who lunch and play tennis on Tuesday afternoons. So what is the MiTo really? Well, true enough it share much of the technology with the mainstream Fiat Punto but this it is no ordinary supermini. As Alfa Romeo says, the MiTo has all the characteristics you associate with the marque on a smaller scale than usual, so expect something much more sophisticated than a mainstream city car.

In fact the MiTo is Alfa’s first venture into the ‘sporty compact’ niche since the 1970s when the widely loved Alfasud graced our streets.

So what is it that makes the new MiTo a worthy follow-on to the Alfasud? Well, the MiTo has the style, performance and luxury of some of Alfa’s bigger models without the price tag. For the style-conscious consumer, the MiTo offers the simple pleasure of a three door hatchback with performance and styling of something much more. A wide, low stance, sculptured V-shaped bonnet, tear-drop headlamps and flared wheel arches, the MiTo is every bit the sports car in appearance. And with Q2 electronic driving aids, and ‘DNA’ sports switch with three modes ‘Dynamic’, ‘Normal’ and ‘All Weather’ the MiTo boasts the ability to adapt to driving conditions for added performance. The dynamic mode is a great feature, in it the throttle response is quicker, steering sharper and handling more direct to make full use of the engine.

In fact everything about the MiTo is geared to offer the sensation of driving a real sports car. The ride and handling is given the sport treatment through Alfa’s choice of suspension which uses MacPherson layout at the front and a semi-independent layout torsion beam at the rear. Team this with a wide chassis, stiff springs, large wheel rims and dual-acting telescopic hydraulic dampers and the effect is complete. There are three trims available and a range of five engines to choose from, the top spec Veloce teamed with the most powerful 1.4 TB 155 bhp turbopetrol engine offers the best all round package in my opinion, with keen performance, a top speed of 134mph and 0-60 in 8 seconds dead. Torque is decent too with this engine, offering 230Nm at 3000rpm with maximum power of 5000rpm. But even some of the lower grades still pull nicely, with four of the five engine options teamed with six-speed gearboxes, even the entry-level 95bhp 1.4 16v Turismo can achieve 0-60 in 11.2 seconds and a top speed of 112mph.

Inside the quality feel to the MiTo is continued with carbon-fibre look dashboard and central console with a satin finish and comfortable yet smart upholstery. On some models there is even chrome kick plates and front armrest for a more upmarket feel.

MiTo leasing prices

MiTo new and nearly new prices

With the range starting at just £10,745 and rising to £14,745 for the top spec Veloce, the MiTo is aimed at the same image-conscience, youthful market as the Mini. Personally as the MiTo is more fun and offers greater space, I would plum for it over the Mini anyday.

What do you think, don’t forget to leave a comment below or submit a review of the MiTo on the RoadTestReports.co.uk homepage.

Author: Faye Sunderland, August 6th, 2009
Filed under: Alfa Romeo, Car Star | No Comments »