Category: Superminis 
Price Range: £11,595 to £15,795
Distinctive looks, economy, performance, safety.
Vague gearbox, rear-seat space.
The most impressive Alfa is now even better, thanks to innovative engine technology.
Alfa's supermini has been on the market since 2008 and has been instrumental in the company's increase in sales at a time when most are nursing their economic wounds.
The 2010 model year updates are minor with tweaks to the gear lever and interior finish along with the steering, suspension and brakes. There's a new paint colour too. The big news, however, is the debut of an engine technology called MultiAir and with prices starting at around £12k, it's taking Mini head on.
Doing away with a conventional inlet camshaft, the MultiAir system allows independent control of each pair of inlet valves, meaning an almost infinite array of valve timing and lift options adjusted for the individual cylinders. One of the foremost advantages is an increase in efficiency.
While the technical details may not mean a whole lot to the average car buyer, there's no arguing with the results. Alfa Romeo quotes a 10% increase in power and a 15% improvement in low-down torque, which means significantly more go without revving the engine. More impressively, Alfa also claims a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption with emission of harmful pollutants also reduced.
The Mito is the first car in the Fiat Group to feature MultiAir engines and three variants of the 1.4-litre unit will be available. The only non-turbo option is a 104bhp model, while the turbocharged versions boast power outputs of 133- and 168bhp. The latter engine will power the new Mito Cloverleaf model - a likely rival for the Mini Cooper S.
