New Alfa Romeo Junior is ready to charge up the EV scene in Europe

Alfa Romeo’s latest subcompact crossover is quite a big deal for the brand as it will be the very first electric vehicle (EV) to come out of the Italian automaker. But, before we get into the meat of the subject though, we first have to mention a bit of controversy surrounding its name. 

See, before the Alfa Romeo “Junior” was named the Junior, it was first called the Milano. So, most of us here in the Philippines are thinking, “Milano is a way better name, why change it?” Well, the reason for the change is because the Italian government filed a complaint against Alfa Romeo claiming it is illegal to sell "Italian-sounding" products that were not produced in Italy. And while most Alfa Romeos are indeed made in Italy, in this case, it’s important to mention that the Milano—or rather, the Junior—will be made in Poland. So if you were wondering why Alfa’s subcompact crossover suddenly switched names just after its unveiling, that’s why.

Moving on to the actual car, the Alfa Romeo Junior is a subcompact crossover built to take on Europe and inject some soul and passion into the segment. Alfa Romeo emphasizes that this compact introduces a fresh design concept for the brand. Characterized by short front and rear overhangs and big wheel arches, it exudes a muscular stance that is rare for crossovers of this size. Electric variants will be recognizable by a subtle grille displaying the company's iconic logo and of course, the lack of exhaust tips. Meanwhile, hybrid editions boast a traditional grille adorned with the classic Alfa Romeo script, flanked by split-light "3+3" headlamps. As standard, the Junior rides on 18-inch wheels with 20-inch wheels available on the high-performance Veloce trim.

Inside, the Junior sports a focused and sporty interior. The cockpit features two 10.25-inch digital screens—one tailored for the driver and the other functioning as the central infotainment display. Additionally, there are numerous physical buttons for frequently used functions. Regardless of powertrains, the layout remains consistent.

As for the powertrain, “Elletrica” variants are equipped with a single motor paired with a 54 kWh battery. In its standard configuration, it delivers 154 hp and offers a WLTP cycle range of 410 km. Opting for the Veloce trim boosts the output to 237 hp and introduces additional enhancements such as a mechanical self-locking differential, adjusted steering, upgraded suspension, larger brakes, and the aforementioned 20-inch wheels fitted with performance tires. While Alfa Romeo does not specify any tradeoffs in range, all-electric models can rapidly charge from 10-80 percent within 30 minutes when connected to 100 kW DC fast chargers.

Meanwhile, for those who want a hybrid, the Junior Ibrida (hybrid version) will be available with both front- and all-wheel drive configurations. It features a single hybrid powertrain option, comprising a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine coupled with a 28 hp electric motor integrated into the six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Power is supplied by a 48-volt lithium-ion battery, resulting in a combined output of 134 hp.

If you want to get your hands on an electric Alfa Romeo, then you might want to consider moving out of the country as Alfa Romeo has not hinted at selling the Junior outside of Europe. We can still hope it reaches our shores one day though. For now, you can take a look at all the exciting cars on the Philippine market right now on AutoDeal.com.ph.