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Ken Gratton14 Jan 2014
NEWS

TwinAir debut in Alfa Romeo MiTo II

Baby Alfa repositioned and relaunched with new sub-1.0-litre model and UConnect infotainment system
The Series II upgrade for Alfa Romeo's MiTo three-door hatch has arrived in Australia offering the new TwinAir engine – an 875cc twin-cylinder petrol engine – and adjusted pricing for the range. 
While prices have risen for the 1.4-litre MultiAir models with the six-speed TCT (dual-clutch) transmission, there's a new five-speed manual variant in the Progression level of trim to undercut the price of the previous TCT-equipped Progression variant by $700. 
For the moment, MiTo QV – the high-performance flagship of the range – is not available in the Series II upgrade form, but it's "definitely important" to the local product portfolio, according to the company's Director of Corporate Communications, Karla Leach, and will arrive later in the year. 
The new range kicks off with the MiTo TwinAir, which is trimmed to the Progression level. At $22,500, the entry-level MiTo is nearly $3000 more affordable, but the twin-cylinder variant is only available with a (six-speed) manual transmission. Despite the availability of the six-speed TCT transmission in the MiTo range – with the 1.4-litre engine – it's not on the table for the smaller powerplant. 
In addition to the MiTo TwinAir, the range currently comprises two other Progression variants – the new five-speed manual at $24,500 and the six-speed TCT variant at $26,500 – and the MiTo Distinctive, which features the 1.4-litre engine coupled to the TCT box for a price of $28,000. 
The TwinAir engine is an oversquare design (80.5x86mm bore and stroke), boosted by a turbocharger to produce 77kW and 145Nm. Alfa Romeo claims a combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 4.2L/100km and CO2 emissions of 99g/km from the Euro 6-compliant engine. 
Other than the five-speed 1.4 variant and the TwinAir itself, the biggest news for the MiTo is the adoption of the new UConnect infotainment system, run through a five-inch colour touch screen. 
Changes externally are subtle to the point of invisible, but comprise a chrome-plated grille surround and new finishes for headlight and tail light bezels. Inside, the MiTo offers redesigned and respecified door and dashboard trims, plus new colour combinations for the seat fabrics. 
MiTo TwinAir comes with 15-inch alloy wheels as standard, with the 1.4-litre Progression models moving up to 16-inch alloys, and the MiTo Distinctive riding on 17-inch wheels. Progression models (but not TwinAir), feature front-seat lumbar adjustment, auto headlights, rain-sensing wipers, electrochromatic mirror, reverse parking sensors and adaptive suspension.
TwinAir and Progression models are otherwise trimmed identically, with the following features offered as standard: Air conditioning, electric windows/mirrors, trip computer, rake/reach adjustment for steering column, cruise control, 'Sprint' cloth seat trim, split-fold rear seat, leather-bound multi-function steering wheel (audio/phone), auxiliary power socket, auto-stop/start and Alfa DNA system. 
The MiTo Distinctive additionally comes equipped with fog lights, dual-zone climate control, 'Evoluzione' cloth seat trim and red stitching for the leather steering wheel rim.
Safety features across the range comprise Hill Holder, stability control, Brake Assist, traction control and seven airbags (including one for the driver's knee).
MiTo has been in a holding pattern since the change of distribution for the Alfa Romeo brand in Australia – from Ateco to Chrysler last year. Senior Manager for Product Strategy, Zack Loo, told local journalists at the car's launch that the Fiat Chrysler Group in Australia had taken a "deep dive look into the marketplace," before choosing to wait for the Series II update before making wholesale changes to the MiTo range. 
In spite of that, the MiTo saw sales increase last year from 160 (in 2012) to 352, raising the three-door Alfa's standing in the light car segment over $25,000 from #4 to #2 for the year – led home by just the Peugeot 208. It was a case of the "right product at the right price," says Loo, who nonetheless ruled out a diesel MiTo in a segment dominated by petrol offerings – to the tune of 99.3 per cent.

Prices for MiTo:
MiTo TwinAir – $22,500
MiTo Progression manual – $24,500
MiTo Progression TCT – $26,500
MiTo Distinctive TCT – $28,000

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Written byKen Gratton
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