Sportiest MiTo receives dynamic upgrades
Alfa Romeo has chosen to equip the latest model year Alfa MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde with a number of innovative solutions to accentuate the model's outstanding qualities: road grip, agility, safety and driving feel. With updated dynamic exterior styling and an all-new sports interior, the latest range topping Alfa MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde (formerly Cloverleaf) has become a full Italian thoroughbred and will be on sale in late July/early August, with its UK public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this week (1 July).
As with all Alfa Romeos which carry the legendary four-leafed clover badge, the latest range topping MiTo has always offered high performance as standard, but now with added visual presence and driver focused interior, the 2011 model year MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde takes the title of the sportiest compact car in the world to the next level, and will become available for £18,755 OTR.
Starting with the exterior, the new valance under the Alfa Romeo shield widens the lower part of the front, emphasising the impression of a ground hugging, sporty car, while the fog lights are now finished with black surrounds, helping to enhance the appearance of the lower air intakes, a feature it shares with its design inspiration, the Alfa 8C Competizione supercar.
From the side, new high-quality Quadrifoglio Verde badges in micro-brushed aluminium, with the four-leaved clover design in relief, are situated above the front wheel arches, giving an elevated premium look to the sportiest MiTo. In addition, exclusive Quadrifoglio Verde 18” alloy rims (upgraded from the previous model year’s 17” wheels) and low profile 215/40 tyres give the MiTo an even more muscular look, and complete the side-view transformation.
Subtle updates are evident everywhere: wing mirrors, headlight (and rear light) surrounds, and door handles are now finished in a pearlescent, satin effect material; adding style touches, without taking anything away from the substance of the range topping model.
Moving into the cabin, and as standard on the Quadrifoglio Verde trim, MiTo sport seats now feature a central column in Alcantara® suede for increased style and comfort. Assertive and sporty, a totally black interior is now complemented by two-tone (green and white) artisanal seams on the seats, steering wheel, hand brake lever and gear knob - echoing the exclusive trim’s green four-leaf clover credentials.
For the Alfista, and drawing comparisons once again with the Alfa 8C supercar, the MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde, as an exclusive option, features stunning carbon fibre backed Sabelt® bucket seats which have been specifically styled and designed for the MiTo. With a wraparound backrest in TWILL 200 carbon fibre – so as to match the carbon fibre effect on the MiTo dashboard – and made using innovative RTM (Resin Transfer Moulding) technology, these Sabelt seats reduce weight and also increase driver support. The seats are trimmed in Alcantara® suede and leather with an embossed Alfa logo in the middle and Alfa branded backrest controls. All stitching maintains the green and white cloverleaf theme.
All additional equipment and features added to the 2011 model year Quadrifoglio Verde MiTo have been included to upgrade the trim level where possible. This means the Quadrifoglio Verde MiTo still features, as standard, the award winning, 1.4 TB MultiAir 170 bhp engine which offers increased performance with lower fuel consumption (combined cycle 47.1 mpg) and emissions (139 g/km CO2) – figures you would expect from an economy car rather than a compact sports car that accelerates from 0 - 62 mph in just over 7 seconds. This engine features an outstanding weight/power ratio, which has always been one of the key factors behind Alfa Romeo's success on the road and the racetrack. It is at the top of its category with 6.7 kg/HP. At 124 HP/litre, this engine is also one of the world leaders in specific power relative to its cubic capacity.
With handling and performance being key attributes of the MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde, the innovative SDC (Synaptic Damping Control) Active Suspension system, which actively and continuously controls the electronic shock absorbers, allows the MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde to excel even further in terms of agility and handling, giving it exceptional driveability and unparalleled safety. The Active Suspension system interacts with the three different dynamic control settings of the Alfa D.N.A system (Normal, All Weather and Dynamic) – which also controls the other systems that the car features, such as Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), power steering, the electronic Q2 differential and engine electronics.
Safety is integral to the MiTo, so as well as a Euro NCAP five star crash safety rating, the Quadrifoglio Verde MiTo also features seven airbags and Vehicle Dynamic Control (ABS, ASR, EBD and Brake Assist) with Hill Holder,
Additional equipment as standard on the Quadrifoglio Verde includes a new USB and AUX-in socket allowing you to connect your MP3 player directly to the Blue&Me™ Bluetooth hands-free system; cruise control; aluminium kickplates and sports pedals; sports dials with white illumination; red painted brake callipers; sports rear bumper with extractor; rear spoiler; chrome exhaust pipe and rear parking sensors.
In short, the MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde MY2011 is a true Alfa Romeo; a high-tech car which retains its position as one of the sportiest compacts on the market today.