By on 2013-04-05 -
Alfa Romeo Mito TB
TwinAir 85bhp Sprint
AFTER more than two decades of experience as a motoring writer, I still get a kick out of certain aspects of the job.
One of my favourite manufacturers is Alfa Romeo and I always feel a little twinge of excitement when the Italian car maker comes to town with what appears to be yet another winner.
The latest car to bear the Alfa badge is the MiTo TB Twin Air 85bhp Sprint and this version of the hugely successful supermini comes powered by the Fiat Group's 875cc TwinAir engine which was first experienced in the Fiat 500.
This power source allows the MiTo to weigh in beneath the 100kg CO2 barrier - 98g/km to be precise - making the car exempt from UK Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) and free from London congestion charge saving drivers who have to go into the capitol around £2,500.
This power plant is the first of a series of two cylinder engines developed by Fiat Powertrain and, with combined cycle fuel economy of 60+mpg, the MiTo TwinAir is said to be the cleanest and most economical model in its class.
That makes it the perfect engine for urban driving with lively and enjoyable petrol engine performance plus the consumption and running costs of a hyper-frugal diesel.
MiTo TwinAir sits positively on the tarmac and, with its shield grille and sharp headlights, its face is not unlike the marque's 8C Competizione Supercar. There is also some intricate detailing to admire at the rear while round LED lamps and an Alfa badge that doubles as a boot release complete the set up.
Within a quite dramatic looking cabin there is plenty to admire with deeply cowled instrumentation and carbon fibre-effect materials. Standard kit includes Stop-Start, ABS with EBD, Fix & Go puncture repair kit.
Paired with a close ratio 6-speed manual gearbox the sub one-litre turbocharged engine provides lively performance with combined cycle fuel consumption of 67.3mpg thanks to one of the most efficient drivetrains around courtedy of the Start&Stop device and an "intelligent" alternator,
Only on the MiTo does the innovative TwinAir engine constantly interact with the Alfa DNA multi mode drive system selector, allowing drivers to choose how, at the flick of a switch, the engine operates.
The driver can choose from a more sporting (Dynamic) drive or a more economical mode (Natural) while in extreme conditions at tyre level, a low grip setting can be selected.
Overall, this could be another winner from the Italian carmaker as Alfa Romeo's sport supermini continues to court popularity with its handsome looks and positive, economical performance.
Alfa Romeo Mito TB TwinAir 85bhp Sprint
Price: £14,150
Mechanical: 85bhp, 875cc, 2-cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6-spd manual gearbox.
Max Speed: 108mph.
0-62mph: 12.5 secs.
Combined MPG: 9.
Insurance Group: 98 g/km
C02 emissions: 11%.
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