2016 Alfa Romeo MiTo Veloce Photos, engines & full specs

Alfa Romeo introduced a final facelift for its aging MiTo lineup in 2016, refreshing the supermini hatchback and upgrading its technical underpinnings.

The Italian automaker provided the 2016 MiTo in three grades: MiTo, Super, and Veloce. The latter was previously known as the Quadrifoglio Verde, a nameplate used by Alfa Romeo to indicate the sportiest version of a vehicle. The car manufacturer used it since 1923 when it raced in the Targa Florio competition with four drivers: Giulio Masetti, Ugo Sivocci, Antonio Ascari, and Enzo Ferrari. But the “alfisti” (Alfa Romeo fans) didn’t really agree with the usage of that famous moniker on a vehicle that shared its platform with mundane econoboxes such as the Fiat Grande Punto and Opel/Vauxhall Corsa. However, the Italian car manufacturer didn’t drop that sporty version, albeit it used the Veloce nameplate for it as a third grade. In addition, the automaker also provided two additional packs for the car, Veloce and Lusso, which could be applied to any other engine version. But the Veloce grade was unique.

From the front, the MiTo retained its original aspect, with a slight upgrade over its predecessor. Unlike the previous refreshed version from 2013 that came with black horizontal slats for the Quadrifoglio Verde version, the 2016 Veloce gained more personality. It featured a dark honeycomb mesh that covered the Alfa shield and the lower horizontal air intakes that formed the tri-lobo signature design element of the automaker. As a last detail, the automaker also installed new headlights with carbon look and glossy black finish.

Since the car targeted customers who wanted to go faster, the automaker fitted the vehicle with a sporty suspension. As a result, the MiTo Veloce had a 25 mm (1 inch) lower ground clearance. It rolled on 17-inch alloy wheels with a pattern that let bystanders admire the oversized Brembo brakes. The black polish finish applied on the headlights’ encirclements was also noticed on the door mirrors and handles. Unlike the lesser version, the Veloce sported tinted rear windows. Finally, at the back, the automaker introduced a new bumper that featured a diffuser and twin tailpipes.

Customers were greeted inside the vehicle by Veloce-specific seats with high-bolstered areas upholstered in fabric and Alcantara. In addition, the automaker embroidered the red Alfa Romeo logo on the front of the seatbacks and contrasting stitching. The automaker offered a pair of Sabelt sports seats with carbon fiber shell covered in Alcantara or red leather as an option. On the center stack, the automaker installed a five-inch touchscreen for the Uconnect infotainment system that allowed customers to install various apps such as Facebook and Twitter. Furthermore, a Live TomTom navigation unit informed them about traffic conditions.

Under the hood, Alfa Romeo installed a Euro 6 version of the 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, which was previously used on the MiTo Quadrifoglio Verde. It produced the same 170 PS (168 hp), and it was paired with a six-speed automatic (dual-clutch) TCT gearbox that sent all the oomph to the front wheels via an electronically controlled differential.