In 2008, Alfa Romeo announced "MiTo" as the official name, a portmanteau of Milano (Milan) & Torino (Turin), because it was designed in the former and was assembled in the latter.

[10] The MiTo also features a Q2 electronic differential on the front wheels, which is active with the DNA switch in Dynamic position, and allows for faster and tighter cornering without loss of traction.

[11] For model year 2014, the MiTo gets a new 105 PS 0.9 L Turbo TwinAir engine, new chrome-plated grille, new Anthracite grey colour and new burnished front light clusters.

[13] Debuting at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, the revised Mito featured a facelifted front fascia with a new updated brand logo and new lettering.

The car (see Alfa Romeo in motorsport article for the history of this emblem) version of Mito was presented at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

[17] QV had bigger 305 mm front brake discs and exclusive 18" alloy wheels as standard and Sabelt carbon fibre backed bucket seats as an option.

Also, a power limited 79 PS (58 kW; 78 hp) naturally aspirated engine variant is produced to meet the new Italian legislation for young people.

[5][24][25][26][27][28] The MiTo has seven airbags as standard,[29] and received a 'good' or green result from the first ever Euro NCAP rear impact test (whiplash).

Maserati version MiTos feature same 125 kW (170 PS) engine as the Quadrifoglio Verde, and exclusive paint Blu Oceano.

Rosso Alfa paint, 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) engine, Sabelt racing seats with Alcantara upholstery and backrest made of carbon.

[37] The GTA (Gran Turismo Alleggerita), the sportiest version of the MiTo, was unveiled at the March 2009 Geneva Motor Show as a prototype.

The concept has a 1.8-litre (Fiat Pratola Serra modular) turbocharged engine with direct fuel injection and variable valve timing for both inlet and exhaust.

[41] The Alfa Romeo MiTo Fuel Cell car uses a Nuvera Fuel Cell stack combined with a compact Li-ion traction battery pack to supply power to the electric motor; vehicle has top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph) and can accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers in 10 seconds, with hydrogen consumption of 3.2 liters diesel equivalent/100 km (74 mpg US) and a range of 450 kilometers (280 miles) in NEDC, thanks to 700 bar H2 tanks.”[42] The MiTo was sold to compete with the Mini Hatch and the newer Audi A1.

[43] In March 2017, the head of Alfa Romeo Reid Bigland said that the MiTo and Giulietta models were going to continue to be produced for the foreseeable future.