Review: Alfa Romeo MiTo (2009-16)

Review: Alfa Romeo Mk.I MiTo (2009-12)

Overview

Released in July 2009, the Alfa Romeo Mk.I MiTo was a light, three-door hatchback. Manufactured at Alfa Romeo’s Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy, the front-wheel drive Mito was powered by 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engines. The Mito range initially consisted of the 1.4 TB variant, available in standard and more powerful Sport editions (the latter fitted with a six-speed manual transmission).

In July 2010, the MiTo range was revised as the 1.4 TB variants received a more powerful 114 kW engine (previously 88 kW) and 1.4 TB MultiAir variants were introduced with six-speed double-clutch transmissions. Significantly, all 1.4 TB MultiAir variants featured ‘Start & Stop’ technology, enabling the engine to shut down when the vehicle was stationary to minimise fuel consumption. The full Mk.I MiTo range is given in the table below.

The MiTo was based on the Fiat Small platform which also underpinned the Opel Mk.4 Corsa . The MiTo was 4063 mm long, 1720 mm wide, 1446 mm tall and had a 2511 mm long wheelbase. Furthermore, the MiTo had MacPherson strut front suspension, torsion beam rear suspension and a ‘Q2’ electronic front differential lock which could brake the inside front wheel when cornering to reduce understeer.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Alfa Romeo MiTo included dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with load limiters and pretensioners.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a left-hand drive Alfa Romeo MiTo received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 36.1 out of 37. In the offset crash test, there was a slight risk of serious chest and leg injury for the driver. In the side impact test, there was also slight risk of serious chest injury, though maximum points were awarded in the pole test.

Features

Standard features features for the MiTo 1.4 TB included 16-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker stereo with CD player and MP3-compatibility, air conditioning, cruise control, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable driver’s seat, 12 volt power outlet, tinted windows, a trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.

From July 2010, the MiTo1.4 TB was further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, USB input, contoured front sports seats, front fog lights, Bluetooth connectivity, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights and an electrochromatic rear view mirror; models with the dual clutch transmission were also fitted with steering wheel gearshift paddles.

Compared to the updated 1.4 TB, the MiTo 1.4 TB Sport added dual-zone climate control air conditioning, contoured front sports seats, rear parking sensors and red-painted Brembo brake calipers; the 1.4 TB MultiAir Sport versions were similarly equipped.

The range-topping MiTo 1.4 TB MultiAir QV was distinguished by its 18-inch grey alloy wheels, brushed titanium-look headlight surrounds and door mirror covers, an all-black interior and white instrument panel lighting. The 1.4 TB MultiAir QV could also be optioned with a continuously adaptive electronic damping system with Alfa Romeo’s selectable ‘DNA’ drive modes (‘Dynamic’, ‘Normal’ and ‘All-weather’) which adjusted stability control, steering and throttle response settings.
 

Related links

• Brochure: Alfa Romeo Mk.I MiTo (June 2009)
• Press Kit: Alfa Romeo MiTo (July 2009)
• Press Kit: Alfa Romeo MiTo QV (July 2010)

Review: Alfa Romeo Mk.II MiTo (2012-13)

Overview

Released in May 2012, the Mk.II MiTo introduced a revised range as Progression and Distinctive editions were introduced. In February 2013, the MiTo range was revised again as the 1.4 TB engines were discontinued and the QV (pictured above) was renamed Quad Verde.

Safety equipment

Compared to its Mk.I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the Mk.II MiTo was unchanged.

Features

Standard features for the MiTo Progression included 17-inch alloy wheels, six speaker sound system with a CD player, MP3/WMA compatibility, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB) and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity with voice recognition, air conditioning, cruise control, front fog lights, rear parking sensors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.

The MiTo Distinctive was further equipped with dual-zone climate control air conditioning, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, an electrochromatic rear view mirror and carbon-fibre interior trim. As before, the QV and subsequent Quad Verde variants were distinguished by their 18-inch alloy wheels (and more powerful engines).

Visually, both the Distinctive and QV editions could be identified by their blacked-out headlight surrounds, door sill plates, chrome windows surrounds and roof-mounted rear spoilers.
 

Related links

• Brochure: Alfa Romeo Mk.II MiTo (August 2012)

Review: Alfa Romeo Series 2 MiTo (2014-16)

Overview

Released in January 2014, the Series 2 MiTo introduced a revised range which initially consisted of TwinAir and MultiAir variants; the MultiAir QV only followed in September 2014. The TwinAir variants were powered by a turbocharged 875 cc two-cylinder engine which was mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Like the 1.4 TB MultiAir engine, the TwinAir engine had ‘Start & Stop’ functionality to reduce fuel consumption.

Visually, the Series 2 MiTo could be identified by its revised front mask, chrome-plated grille frame, updated head- and tail-light surrounds (with chrome finishes for Distinctive editions). Inside, there was a new Uconnect infotainment system with a five-inch colour touchscreen and Bluetooth connectivity (mobile phone and audio streaming), new seat fabrics and new dashboard and door trims.

Safety equipment

Compared to its Mk.II predecessor, standard safety equipment for the Series 2 MiTo was unchanged.

Features

Standard features for the MiTo TwinAir included 15-inch alloy wheels with 185/65 R15 tyres, a six speaker sound system with a five-inch ‘Uconnect’ colour touchscreen, Bluetooth connectivity and voice recognition, air conditioning, cruise control, ‘Sprint’ cloth seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, a height adjustable driver’s seat, 12 volt power socket, trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Progression editions were further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels with 195/55 R16 tyres, front seat lumbar adjustment, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors and an electrochromatic rear view mirror.

Beyond this, the Distinctive editions features 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/45 ZR17 tyres, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, ‘Evoluzione’ cloth seats and front fog lights.

MiTo QV (Quadrifoglio Verde)

Compared to the Distinctive editions, the MiTo QV could be identified by its 18-inch Titanium Quadrifoglio Verde alloy wheels, red four-piston Brembo brake calipers, twin chrome-plated exhaust pipe and Titanio Grey frames for the headlights, taillights and door mirrors.

Inside, the MiTo QV featured Quadrifoglio Verde fabric for the front sports seats, flat-bottomed steering wheel with leather trim and contrasting white stitching, Competizione ‘carbon look’ dashboard, aluminium kick plate (with Quadrifoglio Verde logos) and special floor mats

Unique within the range, the QV was also fitted with ‘Alfa Active Suspension’ which used electronically-controlled shock absorbers to adapt to road conditions.

Related links

• Press Kit: Alfa Romeo Series 2 MiTo (January 2014)
• Behind the Wheel: 2014 Alfa Romeo MiTo Review
• Alfa Romeo Australia: Alfa Romeo MiTo
• Wikipedia.org: Alfa Romeo MiTo