Alfa MiTo TwinAir confirmed for Oz

Alfa Romeo is set to extend its MiTo baby hatchback line-up with the addition of a two-cylinder TwinAir variant, as part of a facelifted model range due on sale in Australia by March.

Fiat Chrysler Group Australia spokeswoman Karla Leach confirmed the MiTo TwinAir will be launched Down Under in the first quarter of next year, along with the mildly upgraded MY14 MiTo range originally due here this year.

She was unable to confirm price and specification details, beyond saying the newcomer will come in at “under $25,000”, but Fiat’s high-tech 900cc turbo-petrol twin is almost certain to lower the MiTo’s base price to less than $20,000, given the power differential between the upcoming twin and the 99kW/230Nm 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder model that currently opens the MiTo range at $25,200 plus on-roads.

At 77kW, the two-pot turbo MiTo gets a little more power than the 63kW version of the same engine used in the Fiat 500, although both share the same 145Nm of torque.

Fiat Chrysler’s local office recently brought pricing for the larger Giulietta down to an even lower threshold than the ($24,550 plus ORCs), suggesting the MiTo is in for the same treatment sooner rather than later.

“We’re certainly taking a look at that,” Ms Leach told motoring.com.au, adding the company will talk more about pricing closer to launch.

However, while the MiTo 1.4T is available with five-speed manual and six-speed automated manual transmissions, the MiTo TwinAir – like the top-shelf 125kW 1.4-litre turbo-petrol MiTo QV – will only be available with a six-speed manual.

In the Fiat 500 range, the TwinAir variant – matched with an automatic transmission in Lounge spec – tops the range at $20,300 – well above the base 1.2 Pop ($14,000) and 1.4 Sport ($16,900).

The company hasn’t yet released official consumption and emissions figures here for the MiTo TwinAir, but the UK it’s claiming an official 67.3mpg, or just under 4.2L/100km, and 98g/km CO2.

In the meantime, it’s more keen on playing up the high-tech tiddler’s power and performance numbers – it’s good for 0-100km/h acceleration in 11.4 seconds and a top speed of 184km/h.

Alfa points out that the twin’s 80kW/litre is an impressive figure, putting it “on a par with sportier engines”.

As we’ve reported, the MY14 MiTo brings cosmetic updates including a chromed grille inspired by larger Giulietta’s, burnished headlight bezels, restyled wheels, a new Anthracite Grey paint colour, new UConnect infotainment system with five-inch colour touch-screen, three new dash configurations and four new interior trim combinations.

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