LET'S face it, Quadrifoglio Verde is a bit of a mouthful - indeed the hot hatch version of the MiTo can probably reach 62mph from a standing start in the time it takes to say the Italian for Green Cloverleaf.

The title is embodied in the four-leaf clover badges that adorn the range-topping supermini both inside and out - the symbol first appearing as a good luck charm from the 1920s when racing driver Ugo Sivocci painted one in the centre of his Alfa Romeo RL.

The Italians now use it to indicate advanced automotive engineering married to performance and efficiency as well as driver satisfaction on its hottest cars.

Sitting in the modern, good-looking interior is a pleasure once you've negotiated the high ridges on the carbon fibre-backed Sabalt bucket seats. Once ensconced though they provide all the support you need and look great with alcantara upholstery and integrated logos.

A flat-bottomed sports steering wheel provides handy volume controls for the radio as well as access to the mobile phone system while paddle-shifters for the TCT transmission are also attached. Fashionistas will love that the wheel is trimmed in leather with contrasting white stitching while the handbrake lever also gets the same treatment.

The Competizione ‘carbon look' dashboard features retro dials for the speedo and rev counter which look the business as well as providing another home for an integrated Quadrifoglio Verde logo.

The centre console starts with the efficient dual-zone air conditioning with easy to use controls which sits below a five-inch touchscreen multimedia system providing access to the DAB digital radio, Bluetooth, USB connectivity and satellite navigation.

The rear seats are accessed via a toggle which can be pulled to make the front seat tip and slide forward. Once in the back things are a little claustrophobic due to the small windows although there's enough space for two adults not to feel too hemmed in.

There is a lack of cubby holes in the cabin so places for your bits and bobs are at a premium with a couple of cup holders, a tight glovebox and smallish door bins the only storage spaces available.

The boot has a decent amount of space for a hot hatch and will take two suitcases at a push, while the rear seats split and fold when extra room is required.

The exterior is stylish and classy as Alfa maintains its justly deserved reputation for producing beautiful automobiles. The Green Cloverleafs on the front wings catch the eye but for me look oddly clunky on such a sleek motor with its distinctive headlights, eye-catching front grille and smart rear spoiler.

Also making an appearance are the twin chrome exhaust pipes, 18-inch alloy wheels and red Brembo brake callipers beloved of hot hatch designers.

The real star of the show though is the 1.4-litre 170bhp turbo petrol beast beneath the bonnet. It sounds great - which is just as well as it is impossible to pull away quietly - and propels this MiTo from 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds on its way to a top speed of 136mph.

Despite the performance, clever technology ensures average fuel consumption is around 50mpg while carbon dioxide emissions figures are relatively low.

Alfa's now familiar DNA selector - standing for dynamic, natural and all-weather - allows the driver to alter the set up of the car. In dynamic mode this adds weight to the steering and sharpens the throttle response giving the perfect hot hatch driving experience.