A lively disposition

Loud, lively and welcoming – the Alfa Romeo MiTo TwinAir is a true Italian personality

Driving the Alfa MiTo TwinAir takes me back to childhood holidays in Italy, my father's homeland, where rattly cars coupled with temperamental drivers made for a very chaotic, yet fun and memorable ride. I say this because the sub 1-litre, twin-cylinder turbo engine is a noisy little thing. It hums away loudly when you turn the engine on, and until you get to speed, at which point it quietens down somewhat. But reassuringly, Fiat Group says the Alfa MiTo TwinAir is the cleanest and most economical model in its class (3‑door, B-segment, petrol), thanks to its 98g/km and combined fuel economy of 67.3mpg. So it may be noisy, but it’s just the sound of a small, yet refined engine, doing a big job.

ITALIAN DNA
Winning titles such as Engine of the Year, Best New Engine, Green Engine of the Year and Best Sub 1-litre Engine in 2011, the TwinAir engine is no stranger to the industry. In the MiTo, performance greatly differs depending on which mode you have selected on the DNA switch; D is for ‘dynamic’ and triggers a more sporty performance, N is for ‘natural’ and is more economical, and A (All Weather) is a low grip setting for extreme weather.
   
When D is selected, the difference is instantly felt; the steering is sharper, the car responds much quicker and it gets a burst of energy. When in D mode you get the engine’s full 85bhp and 107lb ft of torque, but when in N, power and torque reduces to 77bhp and 81lb ft.
   
Changing through the gears is fluid, especially when in dynamic mode and once cruising the car is quite smooth, although bumps are felt quite a bit. After a few drives, you get used to the engine noise and it becomes part of the car’s character – and appeal; today’s cars can sometimes feel so eerily smooth and quiet. 
   
Whilst on paper, the MiTo TwinAir is said to achieve 67.3mpg on a combined cycle, I fear that this would be a challenge in the real world. The best I managed was 44mpg on a 110-mile trip.
   
The car’s Start&Stop technology is good but more noticeable than other versions I’ve come across,due to the aforementioned engine noise, rather than the speed at which it works – which I can’t complain about, as the moment you depress the clutch, the car buzzes back to life.

BUSINESS SENSE
With its sub-zero CO2 figure, the MiTo TwinAir benefits from zero road tax and 10% BIK – the lowest possible banding meaning company car drivers can pay as little as £23.49 a month and save the 3% premium they would pay for an equivalent sub 100g/km diesel.
   
Thanks to the 100% capital allowance on cars with CO2 emissions lower than 110g/km, companies are able to write off the whole cost in the first year, as opposed to 20% per year, bringing down the amount subject to corporation tax and significantly reducing a company’s liability. The low CO2 emissions also mean London drivers benefit from congestion charge exemption, potentially saving around £2,500 a year.
   
The new Alfa MiTo TwinAir is available in two trim levels – Sprint and Distinctive – priced at £14,150 and £15,350 respectively.
   
A generous standard specification on the Sprint trim level includes 16‑inch sports alloy wheels, cruise control, front fog lights, manual climate control, Alfa DNA and Alfa’s Blue&Me™ system with Bluetooth®-hands‑free connectivity and USB media system.

DETAILS
ENGINE: 875cc, 2-cyl petrol
CO2: 98g/km
MPG (combined): 67.3
VED: Band A
BIK: 10%
PRICE (OTR): £14,150