Mito TwinAir

Just reading in the latest 'Alfa' magazine, the new Mito TwinAir (875cc, twin cylinder with Multiair intake system), will have a memory on the DNA system to allow you to start it in the mode it was in when you stopped ! Why didn't they do that on the standard Mito
The 'N' mode is also renamed as 'Natural' and the mode can now be changed at any speed (rather than 68mph).

[Lambrate FS]

The noise they make really suits the 500 and Panda, not so sure about Mito, the noise doesn't fit with the Ypsilon IMHO

[David P]

It's not just the Mito TwinAir that's getting the DNA changes, see below :

Originally Posted by daveb257

OK, so this is my first new thread so be nice!

We all know about TCT, there are so many threads and posts about it it's hard not to but thought I'd make everyone aware of a couple of minor changes to Giulietta on the back of TCT.
These are mainly from January production, rather than registration date so may take a little while to filter through.

DNA is the big update

• Will now show as Natural as default rather than Normal,
• If you switch off the engine whilst in Dynamic, it will stay in this mode when you restart rather than default to Normal/Natural,
• We've all tried to select Dynamic at above 120kph and know its unavailabe at that speed, fundamentaly because the engine is already running a degree of boost so makes overboosting pointless, now though the car will still allow selection of Dynamic at all speeds, will just alter VDC, steering and activate Pre-fill braking above 120kph

On TCT cars there will now be a 2+ second delay before stopping the engine (on MiTo also) and the ability to start the car easier and quicker by moving the gear lever or tapping the steering wheel paddles if you have them,

Oh and the tomtom socket now becomes a no cost option on both MiTo and Giulietta.

Dave

[CobolMan]

I wonder if the DNA changes can be applied to all MiTos by a software update?

[David P]

No reply on a similar question regarding the Giulietta yet.

[daveb257]

Originally Posted by David P

No reply on a similar question regarding the Giulietta yet.

Still no definitive answer I'm afraid David, will post as soon as I hear 100% one way or another

[David P]

Thanks

[multispoke]

Originally Posted by Lambrate FS

The noise they make really suits the 500 and Panda, not so sure about Mito, the noise doesn't fit with the Ypsilon IMHO

I doubt that the Twin Air would do well at the economy stakes in the heavier MiTo. Some of the 500 drivers found that 4 up and a heavy right foot 'economy' was in the low 30s. IMHO the 135 MA could prove the better all rounder. Biggest 'attraction' of the TA was the noise, the performance advantage over the 1.2 and the exemption on the London Congestion charge.

[solviken]

Originally Posted by multispoke

I doubt that the Twin Air would do well at the economy stakes in the heavier MiTo. Some of the 500 drivers found that 4 up and a heavy right foot 'economy' was in the low 30s. IMHO the 135 MA could prove the better all rounder. Biggest 'attraction' of the TA was the noise, the performance advantage over the 1.2 and the exemption on the London Congestion charge.

Agree there. Posted on the Fiat forum that the Twin Air 500 was basically half a 135 engine, similar in it's economy but the 135 is the better all round car. That didn't go down to well with the deluded 500 owners

Love the new Mito Twin Air Nero Ametista (Purple) colour though

[RupturedDuck]

Driven the 500 Twin Air, it is a split personality of a car. In Eco mode you can hit some reasonable MPG, but in that mode it's no fun to drive, it's just flat. Take it out of eco and it is a better car but wave goodbye to fuel economy. Just doesn't work for me and don't think it'll do the MiTo any favours.

[multispoke]

Originally Posted by solviken

Agree there. Posted on the Fiat forum that the Twin Air 500 was basically half a 135 engine, similar in it's economy but the 135 is the better all round car. That didn't go down to well with the deluded 500 owners

Love the new Mito Twin Air Nero Ametista (Purple) colour though

Being an ex-500 driver I would be defensive of the model & expect to be one again in the not so distant future. I once posted that the Twin Air was 'half an Abarth' and I had to explain myself to 'get out of that one'. There are quite a number of A500 drivers who bought the TA for the 'family' to have a bit of blast in it themselves and also to be eco friendly. One of the pulses is that you can bave either performance or economy but not both at the same time. The Twin Air is a feat of engineering and is a true 'bottom up' multi-air design unlike the MA in the 1.4 which just has the head of the multi-air design. From the specs that I've seen boosting the MA engine gives a 20% increase in efficiency which is double the figure in N/A form. Getting 121grs/km for the MA135 with the TCT is a great achievement.

Originally Posted by RupturedDuck

Driven the 500 Twin Air, it is a split personality of a car. In Eco mode you can hit some reasonable MPG, but in that mode it's no fun to drive, it's just flat. Take it out of eco and it is a better car but wave goodbye to fuel economy. Just doesn't work for me and don't think it'll do the MiTo any favours.

With emissions at 98grs/km it will be exempt on the London Congestion charge - so it is bound to increase the sales for the MiTo range. I still haven't got accustomed to Chysler being part of the 'Fiat family' and think of the Ypilson as a Lancia.

One of the 'developments' of having the Twin Air model in the 500 is that a number of individuals bought the 500 1.2 for 'economy' have now opted for the 'performance' from the TA. Since owing the TA they are not to bothered about the disappointing economy since it puts a smile on their face.

On a seperate note the new Panda is getting a larger 2 cylinder N/A 964cc engine giving 64bhp - what are the bets that it might find it's way into the MiTo range as a 'Junior' replacement ?

[RupturedDuck]

I've ordered a 1.3 JTDm2 that's low on the CO2 and Boris tax exempt, but can see the advantages of a petrol exempt vehicle in the range also.

[multispoke]

Originally Posted by RupturedDuck

I've ordered a 1.3 JTDm2 that's low on the CO2 and Boris tax exempt, but can see the advantages of a petrol exempt vehicle in the range also.

In some countries e.g. Greece they had a ban on diesel engines in the main cities (this has recently been lifted but with restrictions e.g. Euro 5 requirement and less than 140grs/km). With diesel and now with the DPF you have to be doing a few motorway runs to burn off the build up. This wasn't really a problem with the 6 speed MJ 1.3 which didn't seem to have a DPF. Despite the OH owing a MJ 1.6 the MJ 1.3 is known as a dirty engine - the app 'Emissions Equality' on the iphone lists it with 586mg/km - this is the toxic emissions and it is in Band F. The Twin Air would be in Band A and it is a car that can sit and get irregular use unlike a diesel. Personally if I have a choice between driving a MJ or a peppy petrol engine I would opt for the latter. But if you are doing the mileage and a lot of motorway runs then the MJ wins out.

[Moultoneer]

Originally Posted by RupturedDuck

I've ordered a 1.3 JTDm2 that's low on the CO2 and Boris tax exempt, but can see the advantages of a petrol exempt vehicle in the range also.

I'm very happy with mine (15000 miles in 2 years) but I only do long journeys and the
DPF hasn't caused any problems whatsoever

I know it's outside the Fiat powertrain family, but to me the most interesting recent
engine is Ford's little 1 litre 3-cylinder Ecoboost:

Driven: Ford Focus 1.0 Ecoboost review and pictures | evo

Although I really don't like the current Fiesta's interior, once it gets that engine
it'll be an interesting alternative, though lacking the Mito's characterful style



Chris

[solviken]

The Ford Ecoboost looks to be nothing special in technology terms. The variable valve timing system is nowhere near as sophisticated as the Twin Air/ Multiair. The relatively high power outputs quoted are impressive, but no emissions or fuel consumption figures are mentioned.

Anyone can make powerful engines. But to make them fuel efficient as well is the difficult bit.

[Nickolay]

Originally Posted by chopper602

Just reading in the latest 'Alfa' magazine, the new Mito TwinAir

is that will be available on the 1.4tb destinctive??? i will get it in 2 weeks so fingers crossed

Originally Posted by Nickolay

is that will be available on the 1.4tb destinctive??? i will get it in 2 weeks so fingers crossed

Could you re-read that sentence and try to tell me what you mean ?

[Nickolay]

hi
sorry i wanted to know if my car would have that memory feature on the dna system.

[David P]

Originally Posted by Nickolay

hi
sorry i wanted to know if my car would have that memory feature on the dna system.

Depends when it was built, was it a factory order or a car from stock ?

[Nickolay]

its a new plate (12) and from factory because i wanted some extras.

Originally Posted by Nickolay

hi
sorry i wanted to know if my car would have that memory feature on the dna system.

Unless it's the TwinAir (which a 1.4 won't be), then I don't think so.

[Nickolay]

its the new 1.4 Turbopetrol 135 HP MultiAir Start & Stop

[001468]

I bet you that could just re-program it though the machine on the existing mitos so that they last DNA selection in memory

[cue2]

There's a recording of the noise of the twinair in the Fiat 500 on the Guardian website motoring section.Interesting sound.

[pookie]

i heard a 500 twinair on tickover today and it sounded exactly like chitty chitty bang bang