Mighty Mito
This Alfa is pint-sized, but not when it comes to performance. With a face that looks like artist Edvard Munch’s iconic painting The Scream, Alfa’s pint-sized Mito certainly stands out in a crowd. Even the name is different, being a contraction of the two Italian cities involved in making this striking little car — Mi(lano) and To(rino), pronounced Metoe.
Alfa says it isn’t a latter-day Alfasud but is, in fact, a totally new idea from the Fiat/Alfa sausage machine. We reckon it’s an absolute corker, especially the Sport version that’s been in our hands for the past week. It costs a packet at $37,490 plus on roads and remember, we are talking a three-door hatch in the light car class. But the spend is worth it when you consider what you get.
Apart from the confronting face, it’s a handsome little devil, crouching down on its 17-inch alloys with pumped out guards and an abrupt rear end with pie tray tail lights. The engine is a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol good for 114kW/230Nm output, and given Mito Sport’s relatively light weight of 1145kg, it’s little wonder there’s plenty of poke underfoot.
Fuel economy is an impressive 6.5 litres per 100km. A front wheel drive, the car has a six-speed manual gearbox with well spaced ratios and a sweet action. It makes you want to go for a drive. Coupled with this is an electronic system called DNA (Dynamic, Normal, All weather) that changes settings for throttle response, steering suspension and gearbox to suit the selected mode. We left it in Dynamic because it optimises Mito Sport’s performance and feel. Unfortunately, DNA can’t be selected on the move in the higher speed ranges and it also defaults to Normal when you switch off.
There’s strong engine performance across a wide rev range and the car is quick off the mark and has bundles of grunt on the move thanks to the turbo set-up. It’s fun using the mid-range acceleration in highway traffic because it gets you out of the way and out of potential trouble in a blink. Handling is right up with the engine despite being a relatively simple strut front and torsion beam rear end. It handles like a sports car but will lift an inside wheel when pushed.
Drive out of corners is aided by an electronic limited slip differential. It scores a five-star crash rating thanks to seven air bags and other safety systems, including stability control. Driving is made easier with hill hold and the rear park assist standard in Sport. We like the way it sounds and the way it feels to drive, certainly at the upper end of the hot hatch brigade in this regard, although nowhere near as quick as some. Inside is a match for the striking exterior with a dash in carbon fibre texture, round hooded dials and attractive satin finish fascia.
Alfa has hooked up with Microsoft to develop Mito Sport’s “Blue and Me’’ telematic control system for the phone, audio and hand-held computers. It’s hands-free voice control in simple terms. Offsetting the price is a generous equipment list including a trip computer, climate control, steering wheel audio control, power windows, mirrors and locking, alloy pedals, Brembo brakes, auto wipers and front fog lights. Mito Sport is a Mini competitor and is worthy of consideration if you aren’t fussed with retro cars. It’s a bit special, has the wow factor, is safe and well-equipped, and you won’t be able to get enough time behind the wheel. Mito Sport is that sort of car.
ALFA MITO SPORT
Fuel consumption 6.5 litres/100km
Dealers www.alfaromeo.com.au
Story: Peter Barnwell, weekender Issue 633, July 1st, 2010
This Alfa is pint-sized, but not when it comes to performance. With a face that looks like artist Edvard Munch’s iconic painting The Scream, Alfa’s pint-sized Mito certainly stands out in a crowd. Even the name is different, being a contraction of the two Italian cities involved in making this striking little car — Mi(lano) and To(rino), pronounced Metoe.
Alfa says it isn’t a latter-day Alfasud but is, in fact, a totally new idea from the Fiat/Alfa sausage machine. We reckon it’s an absolute corker, especially the Sport version that’s been in our hands for the past week. It costs a packet at $37,490 plus on roads and remember, we are talking a three-door hatch in the light car class. But the spend is worth it when you consider what you get.
Apart from the confronting face, it’s a handsome little devil, crouching down on its 17-inch alloys with pumped out guards and an abrupt rear end with pie tray tail lights. The engine is a 1.4-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol good for 114kW/230Nm output, and given Mito Sport’s relatively light weight of 1145kg, it’s little wonder there’s plenty of poke underfoot.
Fuel economy is an impressive 6.5 litres per 100km. A front wheel drive, the car has a six-speed manual gearbox with well spaced ratios and a sweet action. It makes you want to go for a drive. Coupled with this is an electronic system called DNA (Dynamic, Normal, All weather) that changes settings for throttle response, steering suspension and gearbox to suit the selected mode. We left it in Dynamic because it optimises Mito Sport’s performance and feel. Unfortunately, DNA can’t be selected on the move in the higher speed ranges and it also defaults to Normal when you switch off.
There’s strong engine performance across a wide rev range and the car is quick off the mark and has bundles of grunt on the move thanks to the turbo set-up. It’s fun using the mid-range acceleration in highway traffic because it gets you out of the way and out of potential trouble in a blink. Handling is right up with the engine despite being a relatively simple strut front and torsion beam rear end. It handles like a sports car but will lift an inside wheel when pushed.
Drive out of corners is aided by an electronic limited slip differential. It scores a five-star crash rating thanks to seven air bags and other safety systems, including stability control. Driving is made easier with hill hold and the rear park assist standard in Sport. We like the way it sounds and the way it feels to drive, certainly at the upper end of the hot hatch brigade in this regard, although nowhere near as quick as some. Inside is a match for the striking exterior with a dash in carbon fibre texture, round hooded dials and attractive satin finish fascia.
Alfa has hooked up with Microsoft to develop Mito Sport’s “Blue and Me’’ telematic control system for the phone, audio and hand-held computers. It’s hands-free voice control in simple terms. Offsetting the price is a generous equipment list including a trip computer, climate control, steering wheel audio control, power windows, mirrors and locking, alloy pedals, Brembo brakes, auto wipers and front fog lights. Mito Sport is a Mini competitor and is worthy of consideration if you aren’t fussed with retro cars. It’s a bit special, has the wow factor, is safe and well-equipped, and you won’t be able to get enough time behind the wheel. Mito Sport is that sort of car.
ALFA MITO SPORT
Fuel consumption 6.5 litres/100km
Dealers www.alfaromeo.com.au
Story: Peter Barnwell, weekender Issue 633, July 1st, 2010
