Alfa MiTo magic at the double

ALFA ROMEO has made some serious progress in its efforts to attract more buyers to its MiTo small car line-up.

The Italian brand has launched a pair of new models to the range – and made the entry point more attractive than ever.

Leading the way is the new MiTo Progression variant with its price tab of £12,670, which builds on the revisions made last year that heralded everything from extra kit and styling to fresh engines.

And a new MiTo Junior model recalls the 1966 Alfa Romeo GT 1300 Junior – a predecessor which brought the Alfa experience to a younger audience by offering more performance from a small-capacity engine.

Progression grade comes with features like air-con, leather steering wheel and gear shift, a Uconnect five-inch colour touchscreen infotainment set-up with Bluetooth, voice recognition, USB / auxiliary inputs and steering wheel remote controls.

In terms of safety, there’s Vehicle Dynamic Control, tyre pressure monitor and seven airbags while style touches add 15-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler and titanium grey headlight surrounds.

Available powerplants comprise a 78bhp 1.4-litre engine with Start&Stop, a combined fuel figure of 50.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 130g/km. Acceleration is 0-60 in 13.0 seconds and top speed 103mph.

The company’s 0.9-litre TwinAir 105bhp turbo petrol engine with 67.3mpg and 99g/km plus its 85bhp 1.3-litre JTDM-2 turbodiesel with 80.7mpg and 90g/km are also available with the Progression trim level, priced from £13,770 and £14,315.

Buyers of the MiTo Junior get white 17-inch alloys with matching door mirror caps and a white boot decal, along with front fog lights, a sports rear bumper and satin-effect door handles with matching headlamp and tail-lamp surrounds.

The interior highlight is a flat-bottom sports steering wheel with contrasting stitching.

Under the bonnet is 0.9-litre TwinAir engine along with the 1.3 turbodiesel and prices are £14,870 and £15,415.