Thursday 3rd July 2014

Alfa Romeo MiTo QV: Driven

Can the QV treatment be applied more successfully to MiTo than Giulietta?

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If the Giulietta flagship has a tough job in its hot hatch market segment, the MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde arguably faces an even sterner test. Between the Fiesta ST, 208 GTI, Clio 200, Mini Cooper S and Polo GTI a fairly formidable opposition competes against the Alfa.

Prettier from this angle, no?

Initial impressions are mostly encouraging. The optional Sabelt seats clench where they should and the steering wheel adjusts nicely. You're perched a little too high perhaps but it's a decent driving position. It at least helps stave off a glance toward the centre of the dash, where a sat-nav screen that's too small and dated ventilation controls draw the attention. Compared to the slick and contemporary Mini the MiTo feels a couple of generations behind.

But there are positives to note on the road. The turn in is quite keen, the MiTo feeling agile at corner entry. The ride doesn't feel dissimilar to the Fiesta's in fact, pretty stiff but without crashing too much.

But for a junior hot hatch, and an Italian one at that, the MiTo QV just isn't much fun. Attach whichever cliche desired about Alfa's dynamic prowess from the past and it simply doesn't apply to the latest Cloverleaf.

Far from brilliant in here sadly

Often the appearance of a rather awkward looking Alfa Romeo (75, 146, SZ) could be overlooked thanks to an inspirational engine. Unfortunately for the MiTo even that isn't valid. The 1.4 MultiAir turbo is torquey enough but it can't compare with a Mountuned Fiesta ST for any-rev punch. Despite peak power being produced at 5,500rpm, there's little incentive to chase higher revs as doing so amplifies a fairly flat, uninspiring sound.

As in the Giulietta, the TCT dual clutch 'box in the QV is competent yet unremarkable. The shift speed is fine but what would be wrong with a little drama? It needn't be as outlandish as something like an A45 but using the gearbox for a little aural excitement wouldn't go amiss. A piercing beep whenever it decides a downchange is inappropriate compounds the impression of the MiTo being rather strait-laced.

MiTo struggles to justify £20K on the road

The MiTo's innate balance is towards understeer, which it would be silly to criticise. But it's the car's obstinate refusal to do anything other than push straight on at the limit that makes it frustrating to drive hard. There's little willingness to tighten cornering line with a lift, leave alone any of the Fiesta's oversteer antics. A non switchable ESP would prevent any exploration of that anyway.

If anything the MiTo's staid nature is harder to excuse than in the Giulietta. That car will inherently be a little more mature, so why can't the smallest Alfa just have an edge too it? In a class that contains the hilariously engaging Fiesta and super talented Cooper S, the MiTo will struggle to compete. Indeed at more than £20,000 it ranks with the junior hot hatch also rans.

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ALFA ROMEO MITO QUADRIFOGLIO VERDE
Engine: 1,368cc 4-cyl turbo
Transmission: 6-speed TCT dual-clutch auto
Power (hp): 170@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 184@2,500rpm (Dynamic mode only, 170 in Normal/All Weather)
0-62mph: 7.3 seconds
Top speed: 136mph
Kerbweight: 1,170kg
MPG: 52.3mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: 124g/km
Price: £20,210

[dukebox9reg]

i think id take the Clio if I wanted paddles in a small hatch at this level. Alfa need to sort themselves out or they will be cut off as a dead limb soon. I think the next gen will be its last chance.

[dukebox9reg]

Turn around can happen. SEAT not long ago looked on its last legs and now look at this new Leon.

Its doing what the Mk1 Leon did for the brand putting it ahead of the Golf. The new SEAT SUV will no doubt be a cracking rival to the cashcow.

The range will be growing again going from a rehashed pregen A4 and the ageing Leon/Altea and middle of the road Ibiza to their new range which will all be at the top of the class.

It looks like SEAT are putting the sporting twist back into VW group again as it was always meant to.

Fiat need to look at SEAT for a template. Put the pens down. Agree what the brand is about and move forward. Develop it properly and hey , go for a ring record or some other quirk, get back into the press somehow. Win records etc

Edited by dukebox9reg on Friday 4th July 13:20