Alfa Romeo Mito Junior, Progression models join range
New entry-level and sporty Mitos bolster ageing supermini range
The Mito is one of the more successful models in Alfa Romeo’s recent history but as it nears its seventh birthday, the Italian marque has chosen to boost its appeal with two new trim lines.
Progression trim sits at the bottom of the range, giving buyers an entry point to the Italian supermini.
Despite the budget billing, Alfa hasn’t scrimped on equipment. Air conditioning is standard, as is a leather steering wheel and gear shifter, a Uconnect five-inch touchscreen and a set of 15-inch alloy wheels. Other exterior enhancements include a rear spoiler and titanium grey headlight and rear light surrounds.
For £13,770 buyers can opt for a new 78bhp 1.4-litre power unit, pairing 50.4mpg combined economy with a pedestrian 13-second 0-62mph sprint. More worthy of the Alfa nameplate, though more expensive too, are 105bhp TwinAir petrol and 85bhp JTDM-2 turbodiesel options – the latter stretching a gallon of diesel up to 80.7 miles.
Taking its name from Alfa Romeo’s 1966 GT 1300 Junior is the Mito Junior. Where the beautiful Bertone-penned original was developed to side-step Italy’s draconian capacity-based tax regulations in the 1960s, the owlish new car treads a similar tax-beating path thanks to low CO2 outputs.
Visually, the Junior is marked out by 17-inch white-painted alloy wheels, matching door mirror caps and a Junior boot decal also highlighted in white. Fog lights, satin-effect door handles and unique Junior interior upholstery are all standard.
Like the Progression, 0.9-litre TwinAir and 1.3-litre JTDM-2 engines are available, the former reaching 62mph in 11.4 seconds. Pricing ranges from £14,870 to £15,415. Both Progression and Junior models are on sale now.