Alfa Romeo MiTo QV 2010 review

In its 100th year, Alfa Romeo has revived the once famous Quadrifoglio Verde badge (four leaf clover comes closest in English - or just QV) and slapped it on its MiTo super-mini.

That's a nice acknowledgement of history from a marque whose "sporting heart'' reputation has from too long been the stuff of the past rather than the present. The fun but flawed MiTo is a case in point, but the new version in the re-priced line-up points to a promising immediate future for Alfa, not so much because of the badge, but what lurks beneath the bonnet.

The QV is $34,990, nearly $3000 less than the now deleted MiTo Sport. The entry model kicks off from $29,990.  While that's done mainly to make room for a forthcoming 135bhp MiTo, the first fitted with the Fiat groups's TCT twin-clutch automated transmission), it means that in the QV you get a more powerful car than the Sport for less money.

The QV gets dual-zone aircon, lumbar control in the front seats, adjustable headlights and automatic windscreen wipers. Wing mirrors, headlights and tail-light surrounds have a titanium finish, the inside is faux-carbon fibre. The parking sensor is crucial.  The question of value hinges on the store you set by that badge and whether you're up with the idea of a premium small car.

TECHNOLOGY

Using a combination of turbo induction and precise electro-hydraulic valvetrain control, the QV's 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine packs 125kW and 250Nm for a 7.5 second 0-100km/h time.  But maximum output is conditional on the DNA switch being in Dynamic mode. In Normal, it manages 230Nm, though it hardly feel it. There's also an all-weather mode which might be useful in an alpine blizzard.

So why bother with a switchable system to control suspension and output at all? Because the all-important (in terms of Europe's tax regime) consumption and emission figures _ 6L of premium unleaded per 100km and 139g Co2 per km _ are achieved in Normal.  Cute, yet somehow irritating, unlike the Q2 electronic differential, a boon on a powerful front wheel drive car.

DESIGN

Evoking Alfa's 8C supercar - which we don't get here - in a Mini Cooper S competitor either beguiles you or it doesn't. If the look's a bit try-hard, the language is at least Alfa's own. You know what it is when you see it and that's no little thing.

It's other little things, however, that grate. To too great an extent the cabin plastics suggest plebian Fiat rather than patrician Alfa. Fit and finish don't inspire confidence as to the long term.

The driving position is almost a reversion to the dreaded short-legs-long-arms Alfa default of old. All-round visions is hardly a priority with this design, but you'll need to be hyper-vigilant about traffic in your rear-three quarters. And while we don't expect an especially useful boot, why is the lip so high?

SAFETY

All MiTos have a five star NCAP crash safety rating, seven airbags, double pre-tensioners on the front seatbelts, anti-whiplash front seats with self-aligning headrests and seat belt reminder alarm. The active measures include  Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with hill holder, traction control, assisted braking and Q2.

DRIVING

The DNA selector is undoubtedly clever - a budget version of the Ferrari's manettino switch - but unless you're entire driving life is spent in supermarket car parks, your first act on the turning the ignition key will be to flip the switch into Dynamic.  Do it on the run with the go pedal pressed and the QV surges forward as though stung.

Even in traffic Normal feels chloroformed by comparison. Dynamic imbues the engine with a rorty note, missing from recent petrol engine Alfas, that encourages you to press on. Q2 abets tight cornering almost seamlessly, partially transferring torque to the outside wheel, not only reducing understeer but almost hauling you around the bend. It's seems more focused and more rewarding then the old Sport, the steering livelier and the six-speed manual shift more purposeful in is action.

Of course the QV requires a near-perfect surface to display it's talent and the rear and front ends don't always seem to be on speaking terms. Nor will you and rear seat passengers after a bout of rough roads.

VERDICT

The best MiTo to date with an engine to die for. 

ALFA ROMEO MiTO QV

Price: from $29,990
Engine: 1.4-litre turbo petrol; 125kW/250Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual; (twin clutch coming)
Thirst: 6L/100km (claimed)