Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde

First impressions of Alfa Romeo’s high-performance version of the cute little MiTo.

The new MiTo QV now uses a 1.4-litre MultiAir Turbo Petrol engine, producing 170hp, in combination with Alfa’s transmission (with steering-wheel paddle shifters) for the first time. Top speed is 136mph and it can reach 60mph in 7.3 seconds.

Outside it features 18-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, sports rear bumper, red Brembo brake callipers and twin exhaust pipes. There are also other subtle QV differences, plus the unmistakable Quadrifoglio Verde emblem on the front wings.

The revised interior includes a new flat-bottom sports steering wheel, a five-inch touchscreen multimedia system with DAB and satellite navigation as standard and sports seats.

An eye-catching new matt Magnesio Grey exterior body colour is also available.

On the road, the big difference is that the MiTo is automatic with the option to change manually via paddle shift. Using Alfa’s DNA switch, you can also flip between Dynamic (D), Natural (N) and All
Weather (A).

I love a manual gear lever, but it’s easy to adjust to the paddle gears – a necessity really if you want to get a move on because the auto shifts are a little pedestrian unless you’re in dynamic mode.

Alfa’s engineers also claim to have reduced both fuel consumption and emissions compared to the outgoing model – by 10% to 52.3mpg (combined cycle) and 11% to 124g/km, respectively.

It should also be noted that the exhaust tone changes in Dynamic mode. I suspect the fuel economy will take a hit, but it sounds the business.

The MiTo Qv is a fun little car, perhaps showing its age a little. Also, the plastics inside aren’t the best, I couldn’t get comfortable in the new seats, the multimedia touchscreen is a bit weedy and you really do have to hurry it through the gears if you want to get from A to B fast.

After my two tyre-screeching laps round Alfa’s track, I got a test driver to take me for a spin. I now have no doubts about its brakes and handling and its ability to cope while being driven on the limit.

As with its big sister, I suspect a lot of MiTos are sold on looks alone, and the QV is a stunner. I’m smitten, but even I admit to being slightly underwhelmed. It will cost a fairly steep £20,210 when it goes on sale in the UK in July.

Review: @garethherincx