2014 Alfa Romeo MiTo First Drive Review and Photos

The new Alfa Romeo MiTo Model Year 2014 revamps its technological image while maintaining its consolidated image as a sporty compact capable of winning over motorists who demand care for details, Italian style and technical excellence for total safety driving style.

The 2014 range introduces some important new style features, starting from the new redesigned grille completed by a chrome-plated frame to create a family feeling with the Giulietta, making the front of the car look more streamlined. Other new features are the Anthracite Grey body colour and the burnished finish of the front light clusters that characterise all trim levels.

The interiors are even more sophisticated, now with four new upholstery combinations to choose from: two new Evoluzione fabrics (Black/Titanium or Black/Red) for Distinctive, the QV Sportiva pack with a new sporty seat and white inserts (available for Distinctive only) and the new Heritage Black fabric with electrically welded Alfa Romeo badge for the Quadrifoglio Verde.

Innovations also in the dashboard portfolio: Street with specific black version for Impression, Progression and QV Sportiva; and Evoluzione - two dashboard designs, both shaded (grey-black or black-red) for Distinctive.

New 0.9 Turbo TwinAir 105 HP

The engine is the heart and at the same time the true strength of every Alfa Romeo model. And the Alfa Romeo MiTo Model Year 2014 is no exception: under its sporty line and strong personality, the new car offers an extensive range of superb engines, packed with the latest technology and bursting with performance, which are also environmentally-friendly. Not to mention the fact that Alfa Romeo power units are distinguished by their unmistakable Alfa Romeo sound that emphasises the unique nature of the car while complying fully with type approval constraints and environmental aspects.

One of the most important innovations of the MiTo MY 2014 is the new 105 HP 0.9 TwinAir distinguished by its dazzling personality and low fuel consumption. Combined with a six-speed manual gearbox and with the DNA selector in Dynamic position, the new engine delivers 105 HP (72 kW) at 5500 rpm and a peak torque of 145 Nm at 2000 rpm (ratings are 105 HP@5750 rpm and 120 Nm@1750 rpm, respectively, in Natural mode).

Furthermore, the 105 HP TwinAir is the best expression of eco-friendliness, as confirmed by its consumption and CO2 emissions, which are among the lowest in its class: 4.2 litres/100 km and 99 g/km on the type-approval combined cycle, respectively. Remarkably, emissions are so low that comply with the European standards of 2020 already today. In other words, the 105 HP TwinAir Turbo is comfortable, cost-effective, eco-friendly and never boring when it comes to performance: it clocks a top speed of 184 km/h and goes from 0 to 100 km/h in only 11.4 seconds, in addition to having a remarkable specific power of 120 HP/litre, which ranks it among the sportiest of engines.

The new TwinAir family engine combines the concept of downsizing (displacement and weight reduction) with sophisticated technologies, like supercharging with high-efficiency turbocharger, integration of the exhaust manifold in the cylinder head and the totally new MultiAir intake valve control system. With its unique intake cam profile, the MultiAir second generation further optimises thermodynamic efficiency of the engine by modulating the amount of exhaust gas recirculated in the combustion chamber (internal EGR).

The new 105 HP 0.9 TwinAir completes the range engines that consists of 2 turbodiesel engines - 85 HP 1.3 JTDM and 120 HP 1.6 JTDM (both updated in E5+) - and 5 petrol engines: 70 HP 1.4, 78 HP 1.4, 135 HP 1.4 MultiAir Turbo Petrol (with manual gearbox or Alfa TCT automatic transmission) and the 170 HP 1.4 MultiAir Turbo Petrol. The engine range also includes the 120 HP 1.4 LPG Turbo, a superb concentration of power and technology, which combines top-notch performance, environmental-friendliness and low running costs. New drivers can choose the 70 HP 1.4 and the 78 HP 1.4 petrol engines or the 85 HP 1.3 Jtdm diesel version.

Infotainment

The multimedia device is made by Continental and based on Uconnect, the next-generation infotainment platform concept, is debuting on 2014 Alfa Romeo MiTo to reconfirm the technology ambassador spirit that characterised the car's first steps.

Available with or without integrated navigation system developed with TomTom, the device features a 5" colour touchscreen for accessing many functions, the radio and the multimedia devices (media player, iPod, iPhone, smartphone) connectable via USB port and the Aux-in connector.

The system also includes an advanced Bluetooth interface to access extra functions, such as phone call management or reading received SMS text messages via text-to-speech technology, innovative Audio Streaming system that reproduces music files and web radio stations directly from a smartphone in streaming via Bluetooth on the UConnect device.

By choosing the version with integrated navigation you have the opportunity to enjoy additional new features: in addition to the built-in navigation developed in collaboration with TomTom® (with voice recognition), the system will be equipped with GPS system, IQ Routes® (which calculates the best route based on the real average speeds measured on the roads) and Infotraffic system with real time updates.

Safety

The Alfa Romeo MiTo was designed to obtain the maximum score in passive and active safety tests. In short, total protection making it one of the safest cars in the field of motoring, as demonstrated by the prestigious five Euro NCAP stars.

The new car offers, as standard on the entire range, the most sophisticated electronic devices for maximum dynamic vehicle control (from braking to traction) implemented to increase dynamic limits even further, non-intrusive to the driver, but affording all-round safety.

In addition to a braking system affording excellent performance levels, the Alfa Romeo MiTo Model Year 2014 is equipped with the ABS anti-lock braking system, one of the most sophisticated currently available, complete with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD). Other functions include the electronic stability (ESC) and traction (ASR) control systems, the hydraulic brake assistance for emergency braking system (HBA), assisted hill start system (HILL HOLDER), the system that controls engine braking when the accelerator pedal is released (MSR) and the Cornering Brake Control (CBC) system. The extensive range is completed by the Alfa Q2 - the electronic system reproducing the action of a self-locking differential - and Alfa Active Steering, the 'active electronic steering' that prompts the driver to correct oversteering on poor-grip surfaces through a light impulse on the steering wheel.

The Alfa Romeo MiTo MY 2014 is one of the safest cars in its segment and also in the field of motoring as a whole. The new model represents the state-of-the-art as far as passive safety is concerned. Total protection, in short, as evidenced by seven airbags as standard (two of which Multistage), three-point seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters, an anti-whiplash device built into the backrest on the front seats, 5 warning lights displayed on a small screen to inform the driver whether the seat belts of all the passengers are securely fastened, and LED rear lights to improve the visibility of the car. Not to mention the contribution to occupant protection made by the body, the bonnet, the doors and the dashboard crossmember in addition to the seats and steering column, that have been designed with a view to their behaviour in the event of an accident.

2014 range

The 2014 range in Italy features five trim levels (Impression, Progression, Distinctive, Superbike and Quadrifoglio Verde), and ten body colours, including the new Anthracite Grey. Contrasting roof and mirror fairings are also available for the Superbike version. The outstanding customisation level of the MiTo is reasserted once again with ten different alloy rim patterns, including the new 15'' Silver Style rims for the Impression trim level.

Depending on the version, customers can choose from a wide range of engines - all efficient, reliable and eco-friendly: 70 HP 1.4, 78 HP 1.4, 135 HP 1.4 MultiAir Turbo Petrol (with manual gearbox or Alfa TCT automatic transmission), 170 HP 1.4 MultiAir Turbo Petrol, 105 HP 0.9 Turbo TwinAir, 85 HP 1.3 JTDM, 120 HP 1.6 JTDM and 120 HP 1.4 LPG Turbo.

Whatever the trim level and engine version selected, the Alfa Romeo MiTo MY 2014 has plenty of safety equipment as standard: 7 airbags, ESC, Hill Holder, ABS, ASR, Brake Assistant, MSR, CBC, Alfa Q2 and Alfa Dynamic Steering.

Four packs grouping the most popular optional equipment and accessories are available to further customise the Distinctive and Superbike versions: Sport, Comfort, Lusso and Superbike.