Alfa Romeo MitoWhat's in a name? Well in the Mito's case it's Milan and Torino (Turin), which once you've understood it does give the car the required Italianate air. There's a happy coincidence too in that translated from the Italian the name means myth or legend.The Mito is a 3-door hatch (the management tell us there won't be a 5-dr) which looks good in the typically Alfa sporting manner. Whatever the pros and cons of the car might be, you'd expect an Alfa to drive well, and the Mito doesn't disappoint. It handles tightly, and drive is from petrol and diesel engines that are responsive and powerful. Particularly impressive is the 1.4 petrol, which comes in three states of tune, the pokiest of which exudes 155PS, which of course is well above the magic 100 per litre yardstick. Although this isn’t quite up to the phenomenal 180 of the most powerful Grande Punto Abarth (from parent company Fiat), it’s still a great drive and, with an official average of 43.5mpg not too thirsty. Diesels are the standard JTD types of 1.3 and 1.6 litres, and like all the other JTDs they’re refined and torquey, so you’re not going to have to be stirring the gear lever much.Talking of refinement however there’s a lack of it around the wheels in the form of road noise. The potholes that litter our roads these days create a soundscape of thumps that could be wearing after a while. That’s a pity, because the engines are impressively quiet and the cabin otherwise well insulated from the outside world.Go back a decade or so and Italian cars, in addition to a reputation for fun driving, were also known for their unhelpful driving position. The ‘Italian position’ as it was known was designed for those with long arms and short legs – not the British norm. Constant carping by British press and owners – and no doubt those in other countries too – has at last persuaded Alfa, and Fiat, to offer enough adjustments to make motoring life comfortable whatever your dimensions. The Mito has height and reach adjustment for the steering, as well as the normal seat movements. The seats themselves are pretty firm, but they’ve good lateral support, which will be useful if the driver is exploring that excellent roadholding.We’ve come to expect major electronic gizmos on the top models of most car ranges, but here in the Mito Alfa has given every model their DNA. That somewhat forced acronym stands for Dynamic/Normal/All Weather, and refers to the setting of the switch by the gear lever. This alters the behaviour not only of the engine, but also the electronic power steering, suspension and gearbox. The main change is felt when switching from Normal to Dynamic: the steering stiffens, and there’s more urge in engine response, particularly with the highest powered petrol and diesel units, when a turbo ‘overboost’ facility becomes available.Here in Britain we are all too aware that driving these days is less about Toad-like enjoyment of the open road, and more the business of getting from A to B with the minimum of frustration. So practicality is way up on most drivers’ agenda. Does the Mito deliver? In most areas, yes. Passenger room is pretty good front and rear, and the cabin is attractive, with a nice soft-feel facia allied to good solid plastics for door bins and so on. Boot volume is 270 litres (9.5 cubic feet), which isn’t vast, but then the car isn’t a lot bigger than a Fiesta. However, thanks to the high sill it’s not an easy boot to load, and although the rear seat back (not the cushion) can be folded to increase the volume, unless you pay extra that seat isn’t split, so 3 occupants and loads of luggage won’t fit.Having said which, it’s an undeniable fact that Alfa buyers are a unique breed, for whom style and driving pleasure are probably the fundamentals of motoring life. And on those two the Mito hits the bull.Size: 4.06m x 1.72mEngines: Petrol: 1.4 litre - 95, 120 and 155PSDiesel: 1.3 90PS and 1.6 120PSGearbox: 5 or 6-speed front driveBest consumption: 1.3 diesel – 62.8mpg official combinedPrice at Jan '09: £10,745 to £14,745Peter Cracknell
Alfa Romeo Mito
What's in a name? Well in the Mito's case it's Milan and
Torino (Turin), which once you've understood it does
give the car the required Italianate air. There's a happy
coincidence too in that translated from the Italian the
name means myth or legend.
The Mito is a 3-door hatch (the management tell us
there won't be a 5-dr) which looks good in the typically
Alfa sporting manner. Whatever the pros and cons of the
car might be, you'd expect an Alfa to drive well, and the
Mito doesn't disappoint. It handles tightly, and drive is
from petrol and diesel engines that are responsive and
powerful. Particularly impressive is the 1.4 petrol, which
comes in three states of tune, the pokiest of which
exudes 155PS, which of
course is well above the
magic 100 per litre
yardstick. Although this
isn’t quite up to the
phenomenal 180 of the
most powerful Grande
Punto Abarth (from parent
company Fiat), it’s still a
great drive and, with an
official average of
43.5mpg not too thirsty.
Diesels are the standard
JTD types of 1.3 and 1.6
litres, and like all the
other JTDs they’re refined
and torquey, so you’re not
going to have to be
stirring the gear lever
much.
Talking of refinement however there’s a lack of it around
the wheels in the form of road noise. The potholes that
litter our roads these days create a soundscape of
thumps that could be wearing after a while. That’s a pity,
because the engines are impressively quiet and the
cabin otherwise well insulated from the outside world.
Go back a decade or so and Italian cars, in addition to a
reputation for fun driving, were also known for their
unhelpful driving position. The ‘Italian position’ as it was
known was designed for those with long arms and short
legs – not the British norm. Constant carping by British
press and owners – and no doubt those in other
countries too – has at last persuaded Alfa, and Fiat, to
offer enough adjustments to make motoring life
comfortable whatever your dimensions. The Mito has
height and reach adjustment for the steering, as well as
the normal seat movements. The seats themselves are
pretty firm, but they’ve good lateral support, which will
be useful if the driver is exploring that excellent
roadholding.
We’ve come to expect major electronic gizmos on the
top models of most car ranges, but here in the Mito Alfa
has given every model their DNA. That somewhat forced
acronym stands for Dynamic/Normal/All Weather, and
refers to the setting of the switch by the gear lever. This
alters the behaviour not only of the engine, but also the
electronic power steering, suspension and gearbox. The
main change is felt when switching from Normal to
Dynamic: the steering stiffens, and there’s more urge in
engine response, particularly with the highest powered
petrol and diesel units, when a turbo ‘overboost’ facility
becomes available.
Here in Britain we are all too aware that driving these
days is less about Toad-like enjoyment of the open road,
and more the business of getting from A to B with the
minimum of frustration. So practicality is way up on most
drivers’ agenda. Does the Mito deliver? In most areas,
yes. Passenger room is pretty good front and rear, and
the cabin is attractive, with a nice soft-feel facia allied to
good solid plastics for door bins and so on. Boot volume
is 270 litres (9.5 cubic feet), which isn’t vast, but then the
car isn’t a lot bigger than
a Fiesta. However,
thanks to the high sill it’s
not an easy boot to load,
and although the rear
seat back (not the
cushion) can be folded
to increase the volume,
unless you pay extra
that seat isn’t split, so 3
occupants and loads of
luggage won’t fit.
Having said which, it’s
an undeniable fact that
Alfa buyers are a unique
breed, for whom style
and driving pleasure are
probably the
fundamentals of
motoring life. And on
those two the Mito hits
the bull.
Size:
4.06m x 1.72m
Engines:
Petrol: 1.4 litre - 95, 120
and 155PS
Diesel: 1.3 90PS and 1.6 120PS
Gearbox:
5 or 6-speed front drive
Best consumption:
1.3 diesel – 62.8mpg official
combined
Price at Jan '09:
£10,745 to £14,745
Peter Cracknell
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