Alfa Romeo MiTo QV manual 2010 review

IT'S nice to see the Italians back in town. Once upon a time streets were sprinkled with Fiats and Alfa Romeos. Lancias too.

Back in the sixties, into the seventies and eighties there were Fiat 850s, Fiat 124 coupes, Alfa GTVs, Alfasuds and Alfettas roaming Australian roads. There followed a dearth of Italian product for a few seasons and many reasons.

Things are looking brighter these days. Maybe there's not quite the range once enjoyed here but machines such as the Fiat 500 (especially the CC) and the Alfa Brera do brighten the streetscape, breaking up the monotony of all those German runarounds.

There is more passion in the style of today's Italians over most Euro rivals; maybe the Italians are considered quirky and chancy in some quarters but they are rarely dull.

Latest in the ranks is Alfa Romeo's MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde MulitAir, a very handsome three-door with a clever and spirited engine. As it should be.

Value

At just shy of $35,000 before on-road costs, the MiTo QV is not the cheapest of three-doors but is packed with a swag of comfort, convenience and safety features plus clever mechanicals. And it carries a good deal of style, heritage and sporting character; things hard to pin a dollar value on.

Technology

This Mito's MultiAir motor is 2010 Engine of The Year, acknowledged for a clever variable valve timing system that helps the Alfa to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds while offering a reputed 6 litres per 100km on the combined cycle. There's also Start/Stop technology here, allowing the engine to turn itself off when stationary and idling, automatically restarting when the clutch pedal is depressed.

And then there's the switch allowing a driver to choose between dynamic, normal and all-weather modes.  This changes the MiTo's dynamics by adjusting engine, steering, suspension and gearbox outputs. Most sporting.

Design

Inside and out the MiTo is covered in class. The interior sports a tidy array of switch gear and comforts with chrome and carbonfibre highlights. The exterior is a piece of auto art, with a sweet face and big shoulders separated by coupe-like profile, design cues taken from the striking Alfa 8C Competizione. It is a small car with a big presence, designed to scare the likes of VW Polos and such.

Safety

The MiTo arrives with a five-star Euro NCAP rating, seven airbags and hazard lights which fire automatically under emergency braking. Active safety includes ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution plus traction and stability programs to resolve any loss of grip, whether down to surface or driving issues.

Driving

The MiTo QV is a feisty six-speeder, best driven in dynamic mode for extra turbo boost and more torque. It also stiffens up suspension, weights up the steering and everything happens that bit quicker and sharper.  Much more better (even if there's less ride suppleness through the potholes).

The only supermini problem here is the cramped footwell for taller, big-booted drivers; these types may also find forward visibility a little restricted by the roofline and rear view mirror. But the nature of the little beast nipping at the heels of bigger machinery will always bring a smile. The 'normal' setting for engine and all feels a tad doughy after a run in 'dynamic'.

Verdict

The Alfa Romeo MiTo QV is hard to ignore. It adds a deal of ingenuity and excitement to this compact compact class. It mixes class with charisma; it has street presence. Maybe it is not cheap for a small car but it is never dull.