Twin clutch for MiTo
 Alfa Romeo says that sales of the MiTo city car, are set to be transformed in New Zealand with the arrival of an all-new twin clutch six-speed gearbox and stop/start technology.
“This new twin clutch gearbox could not be better suited to New Zealand driving conditions,” says Lawrie Malatios, NZ general manager for Alfa Romeo. “It has the look and feel of a traditional automatic gearbox, from its gear lever to how it ‘creeps’ on idle, yet at the same time it has the performance and fuel consumption of an equivalent manual gearbox.
In concept the new MiTo TCT’s gearbox consists of two gearboxes working in parallel, each with its own clutch. This allows the selection and engagement of the new gear while the previous one is still engaged.
Alfa Romeo says the result is a sporty feeling well above that offered by torque converter-equipped automatic transmissions.
Fuel consumption is reduced by up to 10 percent compared to a traditional automatic, a result that is further enhanced by the Stop Start system. No less than 23 new patents were given to Fiat Powertrain Technology for its design.
The new 99 kW 1.4 MultiAir engine powering the MiTo TCT has a top speed of 207 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds. Fuel consumption of 5.5l/100km is quoted on the combined cycle and just 4.5l/100km on the open road. Emissions are just 128 g/km.
With the TCT gearbox expected to account for the vast majority of MiTo sales, it is offered in two versions, the MiTo TCT and Sport variants.
The standard specification for the MiTo TCT includes Alfa’s DNA function along with the Q2 system and electric power assisted steering.  In addition, this model is fitted with Vehicle Dynamic Control – an amalgamation of ABS, Anti Slip Regulation and Brake Assistant – plus Hill Holder as standard.
Other safety features include driver, passenger, front side, window and driver’s knee airbags, along with fast-reaction LED rear lights and a fire prevention system.
The Alfa MiTo TCT is fitted with 17” alloy wheels and features sports cloth and sports dials with white illumination. The MiTo TCT comes with the Blue&Me hands-free system with voice recognition, and media player with USB port, along with air conditioning, as well as front fog lights.
Also standard are a trip computer, cruise control, remote locking and boot release, steering wheel audio controls, front armrest with locker, leather steering wheel, VDC with hold holder, electric windows, DNA and a premium six speaker Blue&Me equipped audio system.
The MiTo TCT Sport shares the majority of its equipment with the MiTo QV, such as a carbon fibre effect dashboard, matching colour for the headlight frames and wing mirror covers in brushed titanium effect, while the dark finish of the headlight parabolas is achieved by a new metal sublimation technology. The interior also has a refined sporty feel thanks to the all-black surfaces.
The feel of the car is further enhanced by the sporty fabric used to upholster the seats, the modern dashboard and the white lighting on the instrument panel as well as gaining rear parking sensors, auto wipers, lights and auto dipping interior mirror. 
The MiTo QV is separated from the TCT by the subtle Cloverleaf badges and unique 18 inch alloy wheels.
The MiTo TCT and QV are powered by the latest version of Alfa Romeo’s family of ‘Fire’ 1.4 litre engines that have set new standards for performance, economy and emissions. The MultiAir head is a Fiat patented design.
The MiTo's Start&Stop technology makes its debut combined with MultiAir engines for the first time on an Alfa Romeo. The system turns off the engine whenever the vehicle is stationary and idling in neutral and then restarts it automatically when the brake is released and clutch is depressed. The Start&Stop system may be overridden at any time by a flick of the steering wheel mounted paddles in the TCT variants. Start&Stop can be deactivated at will by the driver.

Like other versions of the MiTo, the TCT versions are equipped with the Alfa Romeo DNA system that enables the driver to tailor the response of the MiTo driving conditions and the driver’s mood.
In Dynamic mode, the throttle response is quicker, the steering is sharper and the handling is more direct.  For icy and loose surface environments the All Weather mode provides a more gentle response. 
The Alfa MiTo has also collected a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating.
Driving impressions
There is no doubt the MiTo TCT is ideally suited to city driving and hence we found ourselves navigating the crowded Sydney CBD during the media launch, where the car seemed happy while stopping/starting its engine when coming to a rest in the queues of traffic. We never for a moment were nervous about the engine re-starting itself and quickly acclimatised to the novel behaviour.
The new TCT transmission is certainly smooth and precise once the initial pause on initial acceleration is accounted for. We have found this trait atypical of twin clutch transmissions from other brands too, but the 99kW Multiair engine soon gets into its stride and pushes the MiTo along briskly when required.
A full road test of the MiTo TCT will follow in the next issue of NZ Company Vehicle. 

Prices
MiTo $34,990
MiTo TCT $39,990
Mito TCT Sport $41,990
MiTo QV $42,990