At first they called it Milano, but they quickly changed it to Junior. What does it matter; it screams Italy from afar even with the “homogenization” of the items of the parent company Stellantis with so many international brands under its roof.
Of course, the goal is to remind veterans of things they know and love, while also attracting new customers who will buy the Alfisti title. The path is… clear for them to probably experience what this means, as the option to order from the official dealer network is already active, with a price list starting at 29,900 euros for the 136 hp hybrid version, while the 156 hp electric version starts at 30,900 euros, including the government subsidy from the “Move Electric 3” program.
The fact is, in any case, that this is a proposal of particular interest in B-SUVs. According to what we are told, the equipment is rich in all Juniors. Among other things, the Core version includes automatic air conditioning, 17-inch diamond-cut aluminum wheels (18” in the electric version), active cruise control, gearbox with paddle shifters and coasting function (in the hybrid version), synthetic leather steering wheel, rear parking sensors and autonomous braking with pedestrian and cyclist recognition. The start is keyless and the headlights are LED technology, while the high digital technology is supported by the connectivity box together with the 10.25” digital instrument panel and the 10.1” touchscreen infotainment that has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The even richer Speciale adds traffic sign recognition, black body kit, reversing camera with dynamic lines, active lane keeping and Stop&Go function, keyless entry, electrically folding exterior mirrors, blind spot recognition, ambient lighting in the cabin and navigation system, as well as 18-inch wheels also for the hybrid version.
The Tech, Tech Lite, Tech Speciale, Tech Speciale Lite, Performance and Premium packages provide plenty of personalisation touches, while features such as an electric sunroof and a two-tone black roof are available to suit each owner’s personal taste. The top-of-the-range version will be the Veloce (another recognisable designation), with the 280bhp electric system perfectly supporting the dynamic characteristics that have been shaped by the magic touch of a team whose credits include models such as the 4C, Giulia/Stelvio Quadrifoglio, Giulia GTA and 33 Stradale. Elements such as the locking differential, the suspension lowered by 25mm compared to the rest of the Juniors, the 14.6:1 rack ratio, 20-inch wheels and the brakes with huge discs and four-piston monobloc calipers make the Junior Veloce a sports car exclusive to the class.
In the 136 hp hybrid version, the propulsion system consists of an efficient petrol engine with variable geometry turbo and operation on the Miller thermodynamic cycle, combined with a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The latter is integrated with a 48V electric motor with a power of 21 kW, which in low-load conditions guarantees purely electric movement for maximum economy.
In turn, the electric version uses a very sophisticated electrical system with a “Synchronous Hybrid” engine, 156 hp and an average range of 410 km. The battery has a gross capacity of 54 kWh and the maximum charging power it supports in direct current (DC) is 100 kW while in alternating current it is 11 kW.
Important: All Juniors come with a 4-year warranty on mechanical parts and roadside assistance, while the electrical system and battery have an 8-year warranty. As with all Alfa Romeos, there is also an NFT digital certificate that immutably records all usage and maintenance information for each car, protecting its resale value.
With a design reminiscent of Italian style, the Junior has its own identity. In exactly the same vein, its interior stands out for its attention to detail, quality materials and high ergonomics, while special emphasis has been placed on the design of a sporty driving position. At the same time, the passenger space is very good and the luggage space reaches 415 liters. The first cars are expected in our country at the beginning of autumn. The detailed price list for the model has already been published on the brand’s official website.