It marks the return of the legendary Cloverleaf badge that adorned Alfa's most pedigreed racing cars before Hitler and the gang started doing their thing in 1939.
Later used to denote fast road cars, this famous symbol of intent was last seen locally on the fruity 145 Quadrifoglio Verde that caused such a stir in the late '90s.
Now that it's back, fans of the Milanese firm have much to cheer about. Unfortunately, despite its flanks being festooned with the shamrock in question, there's not much else to help distinguish this new range-topping MiTo from its lesser, slower brethren. And that is rather disappointing.
IS IT A BLAST TO DRIVE?
Yes. Despite those plain Jane looks, the Cloverleaf really does offer up a ballsier driving experience than the standard MiTo we drove last year thanks to its meatier MultiAir engine. Good for an extra 11 kilowatts of power and a wodge more torque, this Italian feels significantly quicker when you click Alfa's DNA system into Dynamic mode and do bad things to its accelerator pedal.
Complemented by a deeper exhaust note and a turbo that hisses like a puff adder being poked with a stick, it also has more personality.
In terms of handling, it's just not as focused as a MINI Cooper S or Renault Clio Sport, but it does feel better on the limit than the less powerful Citroen DS3.
Fitted with adaptive suspension, the Cloverleaf rides better than the standard MiTo too as it doesn't display the same tendency to morph into a rodeo bull every time you throw it down rougher roads.
WILL IT MELT IN LIGHT RAIN?
No. It seems that the Italians have finally come to grips with the concept of build quality. Sure, there are a few lowlights here and there, but on the whole the Cloverleaf feels very premium indeed. What's more, you'll only have to have your MiTo serviced every 30000km, which is quite a mechanical quantum leap for a company that's sprouted more oil leaks than BP.
WHO SHOULD BUY ONE?
I'd say young male car enthusiasts who have a deep-seated and largely unexplained passion for the Alfa brand.
Back in high school when all their friends lusted after Golf GTIs, they had pictures of the 145 Quadrifoglio Verde pasted on their Space Cases. Now they finally have the financial ammo to live out their dreams of Cloverleaf ownership and the MiTo is the obvious choice.
IS IT A BABE MAGNET?
Almost all the women I chatted to thought the MiTo was best suited to a member of the fairer sex. Lisa Stanton, a leggy 25-year-old car fan I found roaming the pits at Kyalami last week, said: "It's cute but I couldn't take a guy seriously if he picked me up for a date in one." What about me, could I pull it off? "No," she shouted , "You look better in your Mustang!" In the end we agreed to disagree: I'd have no qualms about having this Alfa in my garage.
WHAT'S THE FINAL WORD?
It may be pricey, but the Cloverleaf badge has turned this MiTo into the pick of the range.
Granted, it's not the quickest or finest handling hot hatchback at the moment, but this feisty little Alfa is tons of fun to drive. Comfortable, reasonably practical and loaded with things like Bluetooth integration, automatic climate control and a unique USB MP3 interface as standard fare, I think it makes a deserved left-field alternative to the more mainstream.
CHARACTER PROFILER
If the MiTo Cloverleaf were human, it would:
- Play one of those unpredictable Italians in the film 'Big Night'
- Dig old-school swing maestros like Louis Prima
- Own at least three understated tailored suits
- Frown upon exhibitionism
- Be rumoured to have connections with the mob
AT A GLANCE MiTo CLOVERLEAF
Specs:
- Engine: 1368cc 4-cylinder turbo
- Power: 125kW @ 5500rpm
- Torque: 250Nm @ 2500rpm
- 0-100km/h: 7.5-seconds (claimed)
- Top speed: 219km/h (claimed)
- Fuel consumption: 6.0l/100km (claimed) 12.35l/100km (achieved)
- Carbon emissions: 139g/km
- Price: From R264000
We like:
- Fun to drive
- Well built
- Generously equipped
We don't like:
- It's no Cooper S killer
- Thirsty when driven hard
- High boot lid inhibits loading