2016 Alfa Romeo Mito gets a facelift
Alfa’s entry-level three-door hatchback gets a tweaked design, a revised diesel engine and new infotainment system
Alfa Romeo’s small car hatchback, the Mito, has gone on sale following yet another facelift. It has now had its face tweaked more than Demi Moore, had more comebacks than Spandau Ballet and is now so long in the tooth, it’s positively Sabre.
Originally launched in 2008, the three-door hatchback was a revelation from the spirited Italian firm with distinctive looks and keen handling. However, since then it’s been a regular visitor to Harley Street and with facelifts in 2010, 2014 and now 2016. During a car’s lifespan, it’ll generally get a mid-life facelift once, somewhere in the middle of a typical production run of five to seven years.
Amazingly, despite going under the surgeon’s knife on so many occasions, the Mito looks remarkably similar to the original version as the updates have all been minor revisions rather than makeovers. In keeping with this approach, the 2016 model gets a subtly revised sports grill, darkened headlight surrounds, revised rear bumper and new alloy wheels. In truth, you’d do well to notice the changes.
Inside, the material of the seats has been upgraded, there’s a new finish to the centre of the dashboard and door trims and now gets Alfa’s Uconnect Live which streams music, has the latest news and links to social media.
There’s an updated version of the Mito’s 1.3-litre JTDM-2 turbo diesel with its output increased to 94bhp and CO2 emissions reduced to just 89g/km.
However, the rest of the engine range is carried over unchanged and comprises of four petrol engines - 0.9-litre turbo TwinAir with 104bhp; 1.4-litre with 77bhp; 1.4-litre MultiAir with 138bhp and a range topping 1.4-litre developing 168bhp for the Veloce trim.
All trims have been renamed and now start with the entry-level Alfa Romeo Mito, Super, Speciale and range-topping Veloce. Trims include:
Alfa Romeo Mito
16in alloy wheels, air con, Alfa DNA driving mode selector, a rear spoiler, 5.0in infotainment screen, Bluetooth and DAB radio.
Alfa Romeo Mito Super
Adding to the Alfa Romeo Mito with 17in 'Turbine' alloy wheels, immobiliser and alarm, front fog lamps, part-leather seats, aluminium sports pedals, and space-saver spare wheel.
Alfa Romeo Mito Speciale
In addition to the Super, it gets 17in darkened five-hole alloy wheels, a flat-bottom steering wheel, red stitching on the steering wheel, gear shifter and handbrake, sports instruments, sports seats in fabric and Alcantara, carbon fibre-effect finish on the headlamp surrounds, sports rear bumper, rear privacy glass and red brake callipers.
Alfa Romeo Mito Veloce
Standard equipment includes 18-inch darkened five-hole alloy wheels; Alfa active suspension, Brembo brakes with four-piston front brake callipers (finished in red), upgraded Uconnect 5.0in touchscreen infotainment system with satellite navigation, DAB and Bluetooth connectivity and twin chromes exhaust tailpipes.
The 2016 Mito is now available to order with prices starting from £12,960.
