Car companies love calling on their heritage when they launch a new model or when an anniversary of the very beginning is to be celebrated. Audi does it, so does BMW, Mercedes-Benz and down under Ford and Holden are past masters of the art. But they all pale compared to Italy's Alfa Romeo. That Alfa has a great heritage is undoubted. That they lost the plot for what seems like decades is also fair comment. If not for the Alfisti (Alfa tragics) worldwide the company may well have headed the way of many other car makes, to the great garage in the sky.

The Alfisti were prepared to put up with the sounds of their much-loved sports cars rusting in the garage and the hit-and-miss electronics. Other quirks were also overlooked: pedals too close together and offset so you would face ahead and your legs would be off-centre. Alfa product is still in a niche market needing to bridge the gap between it's fine heritage and on the other hand, reputation linked to the bad old days.

The car is unashamedly aimed at the younger generation: singles, females and young couples, as well as Alfisti as a second or third car. It's a classy looking coupe that makes the most of the distinctive Alfa grille which dominates the car's front. There's no chance of mistaking this for a Fiat Punto with which it shares the chassis, and has been significantly revised for MiTo. Sitting under the bonnet is a 1.4 litre turbo charged four cylinder engine turning the front wheels. The stats are conservative: 88 kW of power but 206 Nm of torque at 1750 rpm. (The Sport also with a 1.4 litre engine produces 114 kW and 230 Nm of torque at 3000 rpm). Nearest competitor is the Mini.

Starting in the middle, Normal is for normal driving in normal conditions. MiTo is well equipped with safety backups such as VDC (stability program) that help the driving dynamics and handling. In All Weather mode the safety net is more active adding security in trying conditions. Dynamic mode tightens up the suspension and steering, and reduces the electronic systems to allow MiTo natural stability delivered through the chassis to perform as it was designed to do.

The cabin has `character' thanks to some innovative design on the dash and the stylish AC vents which are given a prominent status in the centre. The doors have map and bottle holders and there's a cup holder also in the centre console. We drove most of the time with the centre arm rest folded in the `up' position as it interferes with the hand brake handle and to a lesser extent with the gear lever. Let's face it, it would not be an Alfa unless there were a few quirky nuances like this.

MiTo boasts a three person rear seat, but for adults it's really a two seater if you want your friends to remain your friends. Unless, that is, they don't mind a complete invasion of each other's space. It's okay for three ankle biters – but this is really not a family car. The rear seats have a 60-40 split, but it's not user-friendly compared to other cars we have tested lately which simply have a push button affair and the deed is done. In MiTo you have to ensure the seat belt is to the side, then reach in a long way from the front or via the boot and push a button down a hole. Hmmm. Then the seats push forward. A bit. With the seats in place the boot is just reasonable at 270 litres. This could be better.