Alfa Romeo MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde with “Alfa Active Suspension”
The second MiTo on display in Bologna presents the dynamic spirit of the model to the general public. It is a model featuring the "Quadrifoglio Verde", a legendary symbol which over the years has identified some of Alfa Romeo's sportiest products. Like the rest of the 2011 range, this exclusive trim level also presents important style and product innovations, such as a new active suspension system called "Alfa Active Suspension".
The system, developed as a joint venture between Alfa Romeo and Magneti Marelli, is able to call on the extraordinary experience both companies have accrued in motorsport throughout the world. The system - through the control of the shock absorbers - reduces vehicle oscillation in all driving conditions, ensuring better safety, comfort and driveability.
In particular, thanks to the many parameters controlled by the new device, it is possible - for example - to counteract load transfer in acceleration, by stiffening the rear and guaranteeing fast acceleration with maximum traction. Via the same principle, it is possible to make the suspensions interact with the braking system and steering to obtain more effective control of the dynamics of the vehicle.
The system is also able to identify the driving and road surface conditions to then choose the most appropriate control mechanisms, in addition to harnessing the reaction speed due to the high calculation capacity and to the specific technology of the shock absorber solenoid valves. The end result is an instantaneous response, with controls applied in real time, to assist the perception and technique of the driver.
Besides being an important technological driving aid for the sportier driver, the new "active suspension system" also ensures an excellent comfort level during everyday use conditions. Thanks to the "Sky Hook" function, the device isolates the passenger compartment, making it completely protected from outside stresses and strains. Therefore, with this new system the chassis changes its performance based on the use conditions or the driver's request.
The interface between the car and driver is guaranteed by the "Alfa DNA" with which in addition to the standard functions it will be possible to regulate the car's geometry according to the selected drive mode. "Alfa DNA" has three operating modes which the customer can select: Dynamic (sports driving mode), Natural (driving mode for normal conditions and for increasing efficiency and lowering fuel consumption and emissions) and All Weather (mode for driving in poor grip conditions, such as rain or snow).
In detail, with the introduction of the "active suspension", the device operates on all the elements of the vehicle dynamic control: Engine Control Unit, Instrument Panel, VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control), Steering and Suspensions (for example, in "Dynamic" mode they become stiffer, improving handling).
But the new "active suspension system" is not the only innovation of the MiTo "Quadrifoglio Verde". A new front surround under the badge that broadens the lower part of the front, emphasising the impression of a car with a vice-like grip on the ground, stands out on the original version.
The new style innovations also include the new high-quality exterior "Quadrifoglio Verde" logos in micro brushed aluminium with the four-leaved clover in relief, situated above the direction indicators; the rear-view mirror casings, the headlight and taillight frames and the handles proposed with an exclusive satin chrome material; a new sporty seat with a central part in Alcantara®, soft and velvety to touch, teamed with a brand new fabric which is highly resistant to wear; aggressive and highly sporty "totally black" interiors; the details of the two-tone (green and white) artisanal seams on the seats, steering wheel, hand brake lever and knob which are the perfect expression of the trim level's spirit.
There are also a few new optionals: the 18" alloy wheels with specific treatment and the sporty Sabelt seats with a wraparound backrest in carbon fibre made using innovative RTM (Resin Transfer Moulding) technology which teams high mechanical resistance with smaller dimensions and lightness, where the central fabric in Alcantara® stands out thanks to the Alfa Romeo logo, reproduced in an absolutely original way.
The exclusive "Quadrifoglio Verde" version is fitted with the most powerful engine in the range, also named by an international jury as the "Best new engine of the year 2010", the 170 HP 1.4 MultiAir Turbo. Alfa Romeo has chosen to equip it with some innovative solutions that accentuate the model's outstanding qualities: road grip, agility, safety assist and a driving feeling are emphasised by an engine which has one of the world's highest specific power values and a chassis worthy of a higher category. This engine's best feature is its outstanding weight/power ratio, which has always been one of the key factors behind Alfa Romeo's success on the road and the racetrack. It is at the top of its category with 6.7 kg/HP. At 124 HP/litre, this engine is also one of the world leaders in specific power.
This is a particularly important value because it proves the effectiveness of downsizing, aimed at producing high-tech engines to achieve better performance allied with sharp reductions in fuel consumption and emissions. Indeed, it is this latter area which provides the most surprising evidence of the technical level achieved: 4.8 l/100 km and 139 g/km of CO2 (in the extra-urban cycle) are closer to what you would expect from an economy car than a compact sports car that goes from 0 to 100 km/h in just over 7 seconds.
