THE FACTS
Price/availability: No prices yet but expect over £16,000/On sale early 2010.
Tested: Alfa Romeo MiTo Multiair Quadrifoglio Verde (Green Cloverleaf)
Power/torque: 167bhp/185lb ft
Top speed: 137mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 7.5sec
Fuel economy (Combined): 47.8mpg
CO2 emissions: 139g/km
VED band: E (£120)
Alternatives: Volkswagen Polo GTI, to come in 2011. Ford Fiesta Ti VCT Zetec S, from £14,450. MINI Cooper S, from £16,575.
Verdict: by far the best MiTo yet. Chassis changes have hugely improved the driving experience and the new Multiair engine is a genuinely economical performer. Expect to see a lot more of the Multiair system in future.