The Mito has been given a boost likely to prick up fleet’s ears in the form of new petrol engines that are described by Alfa as “revolutionary”.
Incorporating an innovative system called Multiair, the 135hp petrol unit is 10% cleaner and 12.5% more powerful than the same-sized 120hp 1.4 it replaces. That means a 15% BIK bill for drivers courtesy of 129g/km CO2 and an average economy of more than 50.0mpg, giving a genuine alternative to the equivalent diesel that sits three BIK bands higher and only offers an 8mpg increase for the extra £600.
The engine is a gem, defying the modest 135hp output to provide something that feels substantially more potent. There is also a 170hp version for just 10g/km more, but the extra £1750 isn’t worth paying unless power is a significant requirement.
While both engines are great new developments, the Mito still struggles dynamically. Yes, its chief rival, the Mini, also suffers from a ride quality bordering on serious discomfort, but that car’s pay-off in terms of driver enjoyment is more significant that the Mito’s. The Alfa isn’t at home on changing motorway surfaces, either, and also hits trouble with any serious bump or hole on urban and country roads. That’s despite the DNA system of switchable ride, steering and throttle settings between dynamic, normal and all-weather. Like many such switchable systems, each one is a different sort of compromise, and a single suspension and steering arrangement that worked in the majority of situations would be more welcome.
However, the Mito’s engine developments should be appreciated, and the car’s 33.2% residual value figure isn’t bad for a car competing for affection with the Mini, which is admittedly in the mid-40s. But a 42.5p per mile figure is acceptable, and the Multiair engine developments should help in Alfa’s plans to make more of an impact in the corporate arena.
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