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Small is beautiful for Alfa Romeo
Alan Candy road tests the masterpiece in miniature Mito model
Just because you drive a small car doesn't mean you have to slum it. Far from it if you're at the wheel of a motor as stylish and dynamic as the Alfa Romeo's miniature masterpiece, the Mito.
The new entry-level Alfa comes as a breath of fresh air to a market currently obsessed with downsizing, so what better time to take a long, lingering look at one of the prettiest three-door hatchbacks around?
And after a week at the wheel of Alfa's new baby, I can safely say I haven't as much fun in an Alfa since I drove an Alfasud way back when.
Remember that? The Alfasud was the original buzz-box hatch of the '70s that every aspiring motoring journalist wanted to get their hands on and after they experienced it, they wanted more.
Being an Alfa, the Mito looks fantastic, of course. From the shocked cartoon character goggle-eye headlamps and traditional upright barred front grille and iconic badge to the graceful, curved traditional bonnet, bulging wheel arches, solid, heavyweight chrome door handles, twin exhausts and rear roof spoiler, the Mito is a charmer with poise and panache.
And the designer's imagination continues to flow fluently inside, the stand-out feature being the undulating hillocks of the fascia, which looks like criss-cross metalwork but in fact turns out to be soft and tactile.
Stylish two-blade vents flank the main dials, which are hooded against the light and bear a central digital info panel which is very useful. A grey-coloured centre stack has a user-friendly CD-tuner and dual climate controls are situated low down below knee height.
Sporty drivers will admire the superb stippled leather sports seats of the 1.4-litre turbo petrol 155bhp model I drove – one-piece with tall headrests, long cushions and huge side and thigh support to really cushion and support you through those bends when the Mito is in full flight. There's even an Alfa badge stamped in the corner for extra kudos.
Mito has fairly good headroom and the cockpit is reasonably roomy, but rear passengers would be entitled to feel a little claustrophobic, seated low down and with poor vision through small windows.
As with most Alfas nowadays, the engine note doesn't scream or howl – nowadays drivers expect smoothness and refinement as a priority, so the 1.4-litre unit tends to purr rather than roar.
But Mito is deceptively quick, responsive and pulls with enthusiasm when encouraged on an open road or through twisty country lanes, where the light body action, sweet balance and excellent roadholding really come into play.
A punchy engine like this deserves a slick, fast-action gearbox and that's just what it gets here, with a six-speed shift that's built for fun and satisfaction. There are also two other version of the 1.4 petrol, plus a pair of excellent diesels, familiar from the Fiat Group stable.
And even though the ride can be hard, it's not too wearing on a long run.
Despite its compact size Alfa have managed to build in a reasonable amount of oddments space with bottle inserts in doorbins, a pull-down centre armrest that doubles as a box and cup-holder at the front of the console.
With its great looks, low centre of gravity, sharp brakes and flat cornering, Mito is a driver's delight and is certainly has looks to die for.
My only minor criticism is that the flowing fascia picks up windscreen dazzle in sunlight, which can be distracting, but there's really little to complain about here.
Small is, indeed, beautiful once again for Alfa Romeo.
Fast facts:
Inspired by the Alfa 8C Competizione, the Alfa Mito is the first sporty compact from the famous Italian marque since the 1970s.
Designed to appeal to a young, image-conscious audience, Alfa Romeo's collaboration between the Milano (MI) styling centre, (Alfa Romeo Centro Stile), and the Torino (TO) factory, (Mirafiori), is well priced, well built and well specified.
From launch, three high specification models – Turismo, Lusso and Veloce – comprise the range, with a choice of five engines – three punchy petrol units and two diesels.
Prices start at 10,745 for the entry level 1.4 16V Alfa MiTo Turismo, and rise to 14,745 for the top of the range 1.4 TB 155bhp Veloce.
Careful soundproofing helps create quiet and refined environment that optimises the inclusion of a Bose sound system and integrated Blue & Me™ with satellite navigation on certain models.
A three-position switch, situated beside the gearlever, alters the throttle response and steering set-up for different driving environments – Dynamic, Normal and All Weather.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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