Novitec Alfa Romeo Mito

Novitec is a company more used to tuning Maranello’s finest, with the Ferrari F430 and 599 GTB modifications particular highlights.

But the tuner is keeping it real with its latest car. It’s a tweaked Alfa Romeo Mito, with a host of changes across the engine range to sharpen Alfa’s attack on the hot hatch class.

The 1.4-litre TB’s turbocharged petrol unit gets a plug-and-play kit that takes five minutes to fit and sees power jump from 153bhp to 183bhp, while torque climbs 22lb ft to 192lb ft.  It cuts the Mito’s 0-62mph time to 7.4sec, from around eight seconds in the production-spec car.

Accompanying the extra poke are Novitec sport springs, which lower the ride height by 40mm, while stainless steel coil-over suspension, complete with adjustable ride height and dampers, is an option. It firms up the suspension and gives the option of lowering the ride height form 35 to 65mm.

There are bespoke 18in Novitec alloys, with the option of painted silver or matte black finishes, wrapped in 215/35 R18 Pirelli high-performance tyres. The new wheels sit alongside a fettled exterior, with a front splitter and new rear spoiler, as well as beefed up bumpers and a rear apron with body-coloured diffuser.

The latter contains a tuned exhaust, which is apparently developed for maximum power yield as well as providing a rortier exhaust note. You even get the choice of one, two or four tailpipes.

If you like your tuned Italian hatches to have a more oily flavour, then Novitec has breathed on Alfa’s turbodiesel Mitos, too. The 1.3 JTD is up from 89bhp to 108bhp while the bigger 1.6 JTD rises from 118bhp to 142bhp. Both engines see a healthy 37lb ft rise, too

No word on UK availability or prices yet, but if you’re unsatisfied with your Mito (as we were when we drove it) then head to Novitec’s website for more details. You can also read our views on the slightly quicker Novitec Ferrari F430.

Of course, some people tune Alfa Romeos with a bit less subtlety...