Alfa Romeo has resurrected the Cloverleaf sub-brand for its pretty Mito supermini. The Mito Quadrifoglio Verde – aka Cloverleaf – was shown for the first time at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show.
It’s the first time we’ve seen the Multiair engine in an Alfa, producing an impressive 168bhp from this 1.4 Multiair to warrant the warm hatch Cloverleaf status.
So does Cloverleaf replace Alfa’s sporty GTA badge?
Not at all. Remember the Alfa Romeo Mito GTA concept car from Geneva 2009? That car shows there’s still red-hot hatch intent in Turin, but that car has tantalisingly not been approved yet. GTAs will continue in Alfa’s line-up, but they’ll be at the top end and will also be stripped of weight, hence the name: gran turismo allegerita.
The new Mito 1.4 Multiair Cloverleaf has a punchy 123bhp per litre, yet emits just 139g/km of CO2. Nought to 62mph takes just over 7.0sec.
What else is on Alfa Romeo’s stand?
The 159 range has been pepped up recently by the addition of the new 135bhp 1.4 TBi, a 197bhp 1750 TBi and the 168bhp 2.0 JTDm.
And don’t forget to drool over the lush 8C range, in coupe and spider bodystyles.
Why no Milano? The new 147 replacement won’t be shown until Geneva 2010, ahead of sales in July 2010. And the Giulia – the next 159 – won’t be seen until 2011.