Xenon in an Alfa Romeo Mito (2013)

We recently fitted a Pilot Digital Line to Bart's Alfa Romeo Mito. Bart bought his Mito second-hand, without xenon lighting. He thought a factory xenon pack was far too expensive (1,900), so he went looking for a cheaper alternative. By the time he got to us he was already convinced that our Digital Line xenon kit was the best choice for his Alfa Romeo Mito.

New: the Hilox Evolution xenon kit

Want a better xenon kit that is easier to install and 100 cheaper too? Then go for the H7 Hilox Evolution xenon kit. Not only is it easier to install, it also gives 1,000 lumens more light than the Pilot xenon kits. In the world of aftermarket xenon, this is the breakthrough of 2016.

Which xenon kit did we use in the 2013 Alfa Romeo Mito?

For Bart the choice was easy: he simply wanted the most light and the best xenon kit. The 2013 Mito has an H7 fitting for the low beam, which is the normal driving light.

That led to the 5500K H7 Digital Line plus. The xenon kit was fitted at our service point in Heeze. For the Mito, fitting is about an hour's work, and you can wait while it is done.

The plug-and-play Digital Line is also easy to fit yourself, so have a read through our step-by-step guide to get an impression of the job.

Efficient energy use

This kit also gives you the real xenon advantage: the bulbs are 35W, an energy saving of almost 50%. The Digital cable even sends any surplus current back to the battery, so no energy is ever wasted.

The result

A crisp beam pattern with a lovely white colour. The 5500K colour really comes into its own in these headlights.

Bart's verdict

"I've been driving with this xenon kit for a good month now, and what a relief! It really can't be compared with the Philips Blue Vision I had before. My dad is coming to have a xenon kit fitted soon as well. He was also very surprised by the high light output!"

The H7 xenon kit Hilox sells now

The Pilot Digital Line plus from this story is no longer in the range. For an H7 low beam like the one in the Mito, there is now the H7 Xenon Kit Hilox Evolution II Black. The product details at a glance:

• Instantly 4 times more light than halogen.
• Available in 4300K, 5500K and 6500K, so also in the 5500K that Bart chose.
• An IC chip that keeps the current stable and prevents overheating and flickering bulbs.
• A CAN-bus II module for cars with CAN-bus or lighting monitoring.
• Xenon bulbs that, according to Hilox, last 20% longer than other xenon bulbs.
• 2-year warranty on the bulbs and the ballasts.
• In the box: 2 H7 xenon bulbs and 2 Hilox Evolution II ballasts.

If you only need one bulb, take a look at the H7 Evolution II Black Solo. Single bulbs can be found under xenon bulbs.

Aftermarket xenon or a factory xenon pack?

Bart thought a factory xenon pack for his Mito at 1,900 was too expensive. A factory (OEM) pack is xenon the way the manufacturer builds it into the car, often including its own headlights. An aftermarket xenon kit consists of xenon bulbs and ballasts that you fit into the existing halogen headlight.

• Cost: an aftermarket kit is a lot cheaper, as Bart found out.
• Fitting: a plug-and-play kit can be fitted by you or by someone else. On the Mito it was about an hour's work.
• Colour: with a kit you choose the colour temperature yourself. The higher the number in Kelvin, the whiter and bluer the light looks. On the Mito it was 5500K: a bright white light that suits these headlights well.

Browse all xenon kits to find the right fitting.

How to fit an H7 xenon kit

If you want to fit the kit yourself, these are the steps that usually come up with an H7 headlight. The exact work differs from car to car.

1. Pick a spot for the ballasts: flat, dry and away from hot parts, with the cable within reach of the headlight.
2. Switch the lights off and let the halogen bulbs cool down.
3. Remove the dust cover on the back of the headlight and take out the halogen bulb.
4. Fit the xenon bulb, holding it by the base and not by the glass.
5. Connect everything: the bulb to the ballast and the ballast to the original connector. Secure the cables so they can't touch hot or moving parts.
6. Test the light before you close the dust cover for good. Xenon needs a moment to reach full strength.

After fitting, have the beam aligned and check whether your car still meets the APK (the Dutch roadworthiness test) requirements. If in doubt, ask the RDW (the Dutch vehicle authority) or your inspector. Would you rather not fit it yourself? Get in touch.

Xenon, LED and public roads

Torn between xenon and LED? Xenon has a short warm-up time, while LED is at full strength straight away. According to the product details, the H7 Evolution II xenon kit gives 4 times more light than halogen, and the H7 XTR Black LED kit 3.5 times more. You'll find all the LED options under LED low beam and high beam.

Please note: the product details of the H7 Evolution II xenon kit state that the kit has no ECE approval or E-mark and is therefore not intended for public roads, but only for the track and private grounds. Read this carefully before you order, and if in doubt, ask the RDW (the Dutch vehicle authority) or your inspector what applies to your car.