The New Alfa Romeo MiTo – Road Test Source – Channel4/4cars 14.10.2008

Designed in Milan, built in Turin (Torino), the Alfa Romeo Mito three-door supermini is the first entry-level Alfa in a long while. There's an added meaning to its name, too: 'mito' also suggests the Italian for myth, or legend, and indeed, this little hatchback comes with an extensive back-story and heritage to live up to. Remember Alfa's last contender of this size, the Alfasud?

The Fiat Group is pulling out all the stops to set the Mito in its context as an Alfa Romeo. It was, in fact, designed by a Argentinian, its basic underpinnings (shared with the Fiat Grande Punto) have been derived from a joint venture with GM, and that name was suggested by a German magazine competition-winner, but there's no way this car could be anything other than an Italian product.

From the snooty shield-shaped front grille, down its flush-doored side to its high-tailing rear with concentric circular LED lights, it's unmistakably an Alfa, but a modern-day one at that - it's no retro pastiche of the Alfasud, as it so easily could have been. Instead, it's a friendly, distilled-down essence of the 8C Competizione super-coupe, and more forward-looking than, say, the BMW Mini (arguably one of its most significant rivals) or Fiat's reborn 500.

The Mito will arrive in the UK in right-hand drive form in January 2009, with three petrol and two diesel engines on offer. The petrols are a normally-aspirated 1.4 16v (95bhp) and turbocharged 120bhp and 155bhp versions of that engine, the diesels the ultra-economical 1.3 and new 120bhp 1.6 JTD Multijet units, familiar from other Fiat Group models. A 230bhp, 1750cc Mito GTA will follow later next year, and options including a double-clutch sequential-shift gearbox are also on the way. Specifications for the UK are badged Turismo, Lusso and Veloce, and prices will start from £10,975 (1.4 16v Turismo).

Reliability and Quality

Never an Alfa Romeo strong point, and despite the company's pleas that it is overhauling its notoriously poor dealer service network, we can't help but be dubious until there's evidence to prove otherwise. Still, the Mitos seen so far look well put-together, with excellent paintwork, a nicely-finished interior with quality plastics, and good attention to detail.

The Grande Punto (launched 2006) has thus far been relatively unproblematic, too, and many of the Mito's components, engines and systems have already been tried and tested in other Fiat Group models. The main cause for concern is the electronica - DST, DNA and so forth.

On the Road

The Alfa Romeo Mito is more than just a rebodied, rebadged Grande Punto. Its steering, braking and suspension set-ups are all unique, and it has bespoke systems including Alfa's Q2 differential, the so-called 'DNA' system, a selectable choice of settings (Dynamic, Normal, All-Weather) for throttle and transmission response, power steering assistance, suspension firmness and stability control, and DST (Dynamic Steering torque) which gives a counter-steering effect to combat oversteer and help maintain a smooth course through a fast corner.

OK, it's not an Alfasud - but no way could the Mito compare to that car in its handling, given the modern-day demands for crash safety, class standards for cabin-space, comforts and refinement, and all the subsequent added bulk and ballast. The 1.4 turbo (155bhp) tested so far is about as lightweight-feeling as it could be, given its 1145kg kerbweight. It's well-balanced, with great grip and a low centre of gravity, and its clever suspension (with inner coil-over-springs set within the shock absorbers) ensures flat cornering without roll or wallow.

The six-speed gearbox is easy to use, and the brakes sharp. Only the steering is a let-down: as with BMW's Active Drive, DST is an acquired taste, and the electrical assistance overdone. The Mito's nose can feel floaty and disconnected, making it hard to place on a corner and easy to drift off-line; the system seems unnecessarily complex, and it does not enhance the overall handling experience.

The 'DNA' system is a little more fulfilling; the 155bhp/170 lb ft 1.4 turbo Mito is clearly quick and strong, but not particularly inspiring in 'Normal' mode. Select 'Dynamic' via the centre console-mounted switch, however, and it's as if the car wakes up and takes a shot of caffeine: there's a marked difference in the throttle response in particular, and an extra overboost effect for the turbo, though the steering's sadly no better. Official performance figures for this model are a top speed of 134mph and a 0-62mph time of eight seconds.

Driving position in this Alfa is good, though it may take adjustment; the Mito is best experienced with the driver's seat set low, for sporting feel as well as for an unobstructed view out and better headroom under the relatively low, curved roof.

The dashboard and dials are clear and prettily-styled, and while there's a lot of information to be disseminated, the graphics of the trip computer and suchlike are relatively easy to decipher. The audio system's a bit fiddly, though.