These two Alfa Romeo MiTo tuned to 290 and 425 hp give the Audi S3 a fright... with a simple 1.4L engine.

A few days earlier, we presented a 400 hp Alfa Romeo Mito prepared in Greece for hill-climb races. We explained that SLP Tuning, the tuner, was no stranger to body-built Mito models. Here are two models presented in 2024 in the leading Greek magazine, Power Automotive magazine.

L'Alfa Romeo MiTo, In addition to its successful design, the best versions of this model were equipped with high-performance powertrains. A small 155 hp turbo engine, three driving modes (DNA), firm suspension, four-piston front calipers and a well-spaced six-speed gearbox. When it comes to the preparations involved in this subject, achieving such a high output per liter on a small engine means modifying certain parts.

Version 425

The engine features Wossner oversized forged pistons and ZRP forged connecting rods. The cylinder head benefits from SLP Tuning services to optimize efficiency and reduce parasitic friction, with camshafts “Hot Street Dirt Track”. Surfacing, flow optimization and machining have resulted in optimum performance.

The custom-made SLP Tuning cylinder head gasket maintains the compression ratio at 9.5:1. At the front of the engine, protected by its thermal insulation blanket, sits the Garrett G 25-550 turbocharger, a well-established solution. Of course, the 1.4T engine is a bit limited, since Garrett sets the minimum displacement for such an imposing turbo at 1,400 cm³, but the pressure rises sufficiently for trouble-free inflation. To ensure that the G25-550 fits properly, an octopus-shaped exhaust manifold was custom-made. Finally, GP Exhaust took over for the 70-inch exhaust.

Up front, it's much simpler: a RamAir cold-air intake kit, a big Mishimoto J - Line intercooler with hand-made intercooler pipes by GP Exhaust and a water-methanol kit. Simply inject more fuel with Bosch injectors delivering 630 cm³ / min and provide power with cooler NGK spark plugs. 

The 290 version

Here, needs are less stringent, but for safety's sake (200 hp/L is no mean feat!), a preparation has been carried out with the same forged pistons and connecting rods. The cylinder head remains original, but all peripherals have been changed.

The intake kit routes cold air to the Mitsubishi TD04L - 13T turbocharger, then passes through the original ducts to reach the hand-built 7.2-litre SRP air-to-air intercooler. The turbo may be a little old-fashioned, but it remains one of the best-known and most economical solutions. Turbos from Japanese machines are renowned for their ability to cope with huge power increases and for their reliability. They can be found at a ridiculously low price for those aiming for power ratings close to 260-280 hp, while still being highly reliable. Last but not least, the octopus-shaped exhaust system, with 42 mm-diameter pipes and 76 mm manifold, is by Mavroidakos Racing Exhaust. 

Performance!

Thanks to the reprogramming of the original ECUs by E-Tuners, on the test bench the 1st described produced 425 bhp at 6,910 rpm at 2.35 bar, with torque of 47.2 kgm at 6,160 rpm, while the second, with pressure at 1.45 bar, produced 289.5 bhp at 5,950 rpm, with torque of 38.7 kgm at 4,600 rpm!

How does it perform on the road? The Mito 290 is fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 5 215/40 tires, mounted on the original 18-inch wheels. The original clutch has stood the test, while torque has increased by 14 kgm! 0 to 200 km/h is achieved in 11.21 s.

On the 420-hp Mito, acceleration from a standstill required a few changes. The 5-speed gearbox from an Abarth 595 was installed, which is more robust and longer than the original 6-speed gearbox. The 100-200 km/h run really revealed the power of this formidable MiTo, clocking in at 7.54 seconds! With its four-cylinder engine running at 7,500 rpm and longer gearbox, the little Alfa Romeo achieved a truly impressive time! In reality, you'd need a car with over 500 bhp, like an Audi S3, to reach 7.5 seconds and rival the Italian city car!

In search of the missing Italian bombs

A little reflection from the magazine, which also leads us to think about the evolution of Italian carmaker ranges: " They remind us of the good old days when, faced with a Uno Turbo or a Punto GT, we pretended to look for a service station or a garage to avoid provocation. The Italians were formidable back then, but unfortunately they've disappeared from the roads and the clubs. These two Alfa Romeos, designed in Milan and built in Turin, roam the roads and put on a magnificent show, capable of intimidating more than one opponent.” But yes, what's become of the affordable little GTi? An extinct species...