RE: Alfa Romeo Mito Quadrifoglio Verde SBK unveiled
Friday 1st February 2013
There’s a new Alfa on the block, and it’s a quick-ish one, too. It’s a special edition based on the Mito Quadrifoglio Verde, and it’ll be called the SBK, which will allow it to vie with the Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP for the title of longest hot hatch name ever.
Decals inspired by '70s American TV shows. Maybe.It’s been produced to celebrate Alfa’s association with the World Superbike Championship – the company is the title sponsor of the series, and also supplies safety cars. And, say Alfa, this is the ‘closest ever activation of the long-running partnership.’ We’re not entirely sure what that means, but if the result is a hotter, more focussed Mito, as befits the edge-of-the-seat nature of bike racing, then we’re all for it.
Seems legit.Nevertheless, in an effort to reinforce the slightly tenuous link between car and bikes, Alfa's opted to launch its new special edition by... er... getting Paul Swift to drive one on two wheels around Silverstone while Chris Walker rides past beneath. As you do.
Alfa Romeo Mito Quadrifoglio Verde SBK unveiled
Longest hot hatch name in the world, ever? It could be. But will it be worth your time?
Decals inspired by '70s American TV shows. Maybe.
What’s that? It isn’t? Oh. No, it seems the changes to the ARMQVSBK run to a new bodykit, a slathering of decals (which, from the side, put us in mind of David Starsky's Torino), a black-and-red paint job and a set of 18” alloy wheels, complete with red Brembo calipers behind. Inside, there’s a rather lovely pair of Alcantara-trimmed, carbon-backed Sabelt seats and a spot of extra kit. But engine changes are notable only by their absence, which means the SBK gets the same 170hp 1.4-litre MultiAir turbo as the standard car. That’s no bad thing, as it’s a decent little unit, but the lack of chassis alterations means you’re also stuck with the Mito’s slightly uninvolving driving experience.
Seems legit.
So, fancy a slice of lengthily-named and bizarrely-launched Alfa hot hatchery? Well, it’ll set you back £21,595 – but only 28 SBKs will make it to the UK, so you’ll have to be quick. Especially as they’ll probably all be gone by the time you’ve told the salesman the name of the model you’re after.
Discussion
I've bought two brand new cars in the past 12 months.
We have an Alfa Romeo dealer in the town.
Both times I wanted to consider an Alfa, I really did, but they've nothing to offer me that makes much much real-world sense so I couldn't even shortlist one of their models.
Guff like this new Mito is a prime example of an answer to a question no-one is asking.
We have an Alfa Romeo dealer in the town.
Both times I wanted to consider an Alfa, I really did, but they've nothing to offer me that makes much much real-world sense so I couldn't even shortlist one of their models.
Guff like this new Mito is a prime example of an answer to a question no-one is asking.
Edited by loudlashadjuster on Friday 1st February 12:32
loudlashadjuster said:
I've bought two brand new cars in that past 12 months.
We have an Alfa Romeo dealer in the town.
Both times I wanted to consider an Alfa, I really did, but they've nothing to offer me that makes much much real-world sense so I couldn't even shortlist one of their models.
Guff like this new Mito is a prime example of an answer to a question no-one is asking.
My Mum had a new 1998 Spider with lots of options. Looked great. Wasn't. Sold after 5 months for a lightly used M Roadster. Family kept that one for 5 years. We have an Alfa Romeo dealer in the town.
Both times I wanted to consider an Alfa, I really did, but they've nothing to offer me that makes much much real-world sense so I couldn't even shortlist one of their models.
Guff like this new Mito is a prime example of an answer to a question no-one is asking.
A pal has a Giulietta Cloverleaf. It's black with a red interior and he had the front wing badges removed by the dealer. That car is actually quite good.
Alfa only have the Giulietta and the Mito on sale at present. With the new Giulia saloon, coupe version of the Giulia with a V6 and 4WD, the RWD MX5 based Spider , GTV version of the RWD Spider, and perhaps some kind of 8C type limited run car, as well as the SUV they keep threatening to produce, and perhaps a new Alfa 6 / 164 / 166 car designed to sell in the US and the East, sold in Europe in V6 4WD petrol form only , to make it a cool discount Quattroporte alternative choice without the pressure to sell many at all , or the need to make some ghastly black pump version , they might get back to where they should be.
A mate keeps taking the piss out of my Ibiza's high shoulder line.....The Mito just makes me feel better!
Not sure how this car is going to call itself 'unique' but at least they're trying, even if it is in vain. Knowing someone who bought one of those Olympic minis the 'special editions' will likely sell, the ds3 r is out there.
Not sure how this car is going to call itself 'unique' but at least they're trying, even if it is in vain. Knowing someone who bought one of those Olympic minis the 'special editions' will likely sell, the ds3 r is out there.
Clearly they are desperately trying to give their dealer network something to sell, in the continued absence of any new models.
With the Giulia still a long way off and the 4c only due to be available in very small numbers, the short term does not look good for Alfa.
The Alfisti are loyal, but the current situation is a real test of faith.
With the Giulia still a long way off and the 4c only due to be available in very small numbers, the short term does not look good for Alfa.
The Alfisti are loyal, but the current situation is a real test of faith.
myhandle said:
My Mum had a new 1998 Spider with lots of options. Looked great. Wasn't. Sold after 5 months for a lightly used M Roadster. Family kept that one for 5 years.
A pal has a Giulietta Cloverleaf. It's black with a red interior and he had the front wing badges removed by the dealer. That car is actually quite good.
Alfa only have the Giulietta and the Mito on sale at present. With the new Giulia saloon, coupe version of the Giulia with a V6 and 4WD, the RWD MX5 based Spider , GTV version of the RWD Spider, and perhaps some kind of 8C type limited run car, as well as the SUV they keep threatening to produce, and perhaps a new Alfa 6 / 164 / 166 car designed to sell in the US and the East, sold in Europe in V6 4WD petrol form only , to make it a cool discount Quattroporte alternative choice without the pressure to sell many at all , or the need to make some ghastly black pump version , they might get back to where they should be.
Yeah, they discontinued the 159 just before I needed an estate, and the Mito is just too expensive/ugly/meh to be a second car for us.A pal has a Giulietta Cloverleaf. It's black with a red interior and he had the front wing badges removed by the dealer. That car is actually quite good.
Alfa only have the Giulietta and the Mito on sale at present. With the new Giulia saloon, coupe version of the Giulia with a V6 and 4WD, the RWD MX5 based Spider , GTV version of the RWD Spider, and perhaps some kind of 8C type limited run car, as well as the SUV they keep threatening to produce, and perhaps a new Alfa 6 / 164 / 166 car designed to sell in the US and the East, sold in Europe in V6 4WD petrol form only , to make it a cool discount Quattroporte alternative choice without the pressure to sell many at all , or the need to make some ghastly black pump version , they might get back to where they should be.
I know they must have new models in the pipeline, but I don't have a good feeling about Alfa's long-term future in the UK, or even at all.
Alfa159Ti said:
Clearly they are desperately trying to give their dealer network something to sell, in the continued absence of any new models.
With the Giulia still a long way off and the 4c only due to be available in very small numbers, the short term does not look good for Alfa.
The Alfisti are loyal, but the current situation is a real test of faith.
Isn't the new Mazda-based Spider imminent?With the Giulia still a long way off and the 4c only due to be available in very small numbers, the short term does not look good for Alfa.
The Alfisti are loyal, but the current situation is a real test of faith.
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