2011 Alfa Romeo MiTo MultiJet II Turbo Diesel To Arrive In Australia In Late 2010

ALFA ROMEO HAS announced a new addition to the UK-market MiTo line-up, powered by the new MultiJet II turbo-diesel engine developed at Fiat Powertrain Technologies.

Producing 70kW at 4000rpm and 200Nm of torque at 1500rpm, the 1.3 litre MultiJet II turbo-diesel is expected to debut in Australia this year. It will join the 1.4 litre petrol engine currently offered with the MiTo, available in two guises - the entry MiTo offering 88kW and 206Nm, while the MiTo Sport develops 114kW and 230Nm of torque.

"The new Multijet II diesel will join the MiTo line-up towards the end of the year," Edward Rowe, Public Affairs Manager for Fiat Australia told TMR this week.

"However our priority is to have the new MultiAir engines with the new TCT gearbox. This is the model that we really need to transform our position in this market sector."

In the UK, the MultiJet II diesel is paired with Fiat's five-speed transmission, covering the 0-100km/h sprint in 11.6 seconds. Fuel economy is listed as 4.3 l/100km, making it one of Australia's most fuel-efficient cars when it arrives later this year.

Other environment- and efficiency-conscious features for the MultiJet II engine include Start&Stop technology - which switches the engine off when the vehicle is not moving - and a diesel particulate filter.