Alfa Romeo Twin

 

What‘s it?
We’ve already driven several versions from the tweaked for 2014 Mito, and it’s fair to mention that Alfa’s elderly supermini hasn’t exactly set our trousers alight. Thankfully, this point round it’s the turn from the Quadrifoglio Verde, which, in its former life like the Cloverleaf, was by far our favourite version. That’s excellent news for Alfa, because in keeping using its current theme of incredibly gentle facelifts, there isn’t much actual facelifting to report. Just like the Alfa Romeo Giulietta QV, the foremost noticeable alteration comes inside the shape from the six-speed TCT transmission – fitted towards the spriteliest Mito for the very first time.

The 1. 4-litre MultiAir engine it’s mated with is unchanged, which suggests you will get 168bhp from 5500rpm and 184lb ft of torque at lower than half that. Since the gearbox is heavier than its predecessor and there’s no launch control to assist a standing start, the Cloverleaf’s 0-62mph time is merely bested using a negligible 0. 2 seconds – despite quicker shift times. Instead, the greater prominent improvement comes as running cost gains, where Alfa Romeo claims a 10 per cent improvement in economy, to 52. 3mpg, and an 11 per cent drop in emissions, to 124g / km – placing it shoulder-to-shoulder using the automatic version of the newest Mini Cooper S (at 54. 3mpg and 122g / km, respectively ). That comparison can’t have escaped Turin ; at £20, 210, the new Mito QV is an direct rival to Oxford’s most famous son. For the outlay you receive a new flat-bottomed steering wheel, revised instrument dials, 18-inch wheels, a carbonfibre-effect dashboard and also a five-inch touchscreen infotainment system which includes sat-nav. What‘s it like? Just like the recently tested Giulietta QV, much is because it was before ; however, that’s less of the matter inside the Mito’s case since it remained modestly likeable. Severing a warmed-up supermini given by a manual gearbox has, thus far, not been a tremendous recipe for achievement with any manufacturer - and although a far better car has hardly emerged here, Alfa has managed the transition without totally mangling the QV’s spirit. Inside a strange kind of way It‘s probably towards the model’s benefit it hasn‘t been considered especially quick, and hence had less to lose in contrast (also, by launching to back using the lacklustre Giulietta, the Mito actually seems rather lively ).

Reasonable biddability has a similar proviso as before though ; the entire 184lb ft of tug is merely available inside the Dynamic setting from the QV’s DNA drive select – which makes it frustrating to switch straight into the fuel-sipping Normal mode. In either case you won’t be bothering Ford Fiesta ST drivers much : the Alfa may merely be 10bhp or so and a couple of tenths shy from the brilliant Ford in writing, however the MultiAir has none of their rival’s high-rev vitality. Additionally can’t carry a similar speed through corners, being hampered with duller steering, a better degree of body roll and positively a less adjustable chassis. Nevertheless, there’s still lots of nimbleness to appreciate and enough underlying linear grip in order to make briskness simple to accomplish. It does that without rattling your fillings either ; Alfa’s sympathetic attitude to hot hatch suspension tuning once again ensuring that even its sportiest Mito could be relied upon to create a decent fist of the notchy road. Should I buy one? It’s very tempting to suggest that in case the Mito is that the supermini for you personally, it may be cheaper and probably more fulfilling to purchase the outgoing model using its manual six-speed 'box.

There’s a measure of convenience towards the TCT version in fact, but its ponderous paddle shifts don’t restore the satisfaction of the working clutch pedal. Should that avenue isn’t open for you, the alternative options should be considered long and hard. Truthfully, the Mito is harmed less using a dearth in talent and much more by its price tag. Since the tweaks are but unrecognisable, there’s no getting far from the undeniable fact that this can be a six-year-old model – and also the interior, with much too much hard cheap plastic on display, couldn’t be further coming from the industry’s current concept of an upmarket supermini. Consequently, the QV isn’t in the sky-high standard of the newest Mini – just because it isn’t within touching distance from the dynamic benchmark laid down from the Fiesta. There‘s a middle ground between the 2 ; unfortunately for Alfa, that’s inhabited by everything else small and fast – including the Peugeot 208 GTI, Renault Clio RS and Suzuki Swift Sport – all cheaper and, it should be said, better. Alfa Romeo Mito Quadrifoglio VerdePrice £20, 210 0-62mph 7. 3 seconds Top speed 136mph Economy 52. 3mpg CO2 124g / km Kerbweight 1170kg Engine four-cylinder, petrol, turbo Power 168bhp at 5500rpm Torque 184lb ft at 2500rpm Gearbox six-speed dual-clutch.