Alfa Romeo Junior, or the most controversial Alfa Romeo in history. Because it’s not produced in Italy, because of the scandal over its name, because it’s based on a French platform. And because it’s (also) electric. But the design, believe it or not, is entirely Italian.
And in our test, it proved to be part of the brand and its history. Also, to the fans of the Giulia: if it were up to the true Alfisti, the brand would already be dead.
Alfa Romeo Junior: our tops and flops
Yes, okay: it’s built in Poland and the platform is of French origin. But the design is entirely Alfa Romeo, starting with the design and the modification of the setup, which makes this Italian crossover really interesting, with a sporty DNA that, in my opinion, does not betray the brand. This is the second electric model, and the first for mass production. The Alfa Romeo Junior has a tough road ahead, with several obstacles in its path to success, starting with the Italian government forcing the company to rename it, after the original name was supposed to be Milano. But the most interesting version, the electric Veloce, has a good 280 HP with front-wheel drive (unfortunately), and it is the first in the group to have this power, as well as positioning itself as the most performant. The design is baroque and aggressive, and like the Tonale, it pays homage to past Alfas, especially at the rear. The 18-inch wheels on a car of about 4 meters reinterpret the classic telephone dial and are stunning. The dynamics are typical Alfa, while remaining a car designed for city driving, ensuring remarkable performance: it weighs about 1.5 tons, not bad for an electric car, it does 0-100 in 5.9 seconds, and has a top speed of 200 km/h. It’s a pity about the lack of all-wheel drive and the PSA-origin gear selector, one of the worst.
What we like:
- The driving is dynamic and fun;
- The interior space is not bad;
- The dedicated setup is wonderful;
What we don’t like:
- The interior quality is below par;
- The dashboard display clashes with the “Telescope” design;
- The gear selector is cumbersome and uncomfortable;
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Compact Dimensions with Big City Capabilities
At first glance, the Junior electric Veloce reveals itself as a car perfectly suited for urban environments. With a length just over 4.0 meters, this sporty compact fits neatly into the B-segment. Its modest dimensions allow for a tight turning radius of just 10 meters, ideal for navigating narrow streets and bustling urban traffic.
Design-wise, the electric Veloce maintains the sharp, angular lines characteristic of its siblings. The front features the iconic Alfa Romeo trilobo grille, flanked by a sleek full-LED headlight assembly arranged in a two-level setup.
The design includes contemporary details aimed at attracting younger automotive enthusiasts. The rear end, featuring a distinctive “coda tronca” (cut-off tail), takes inspiration from the iconic 1963 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ, optimizing aerodynamics by improving airflow separation.
Completing the look are four 18-inch alloy wheels (17-inch on hybrid versions), reminiscent of the Quadrifoglio, the legendary symbol distinguishing Alfa Romeo’s sporty models.
Spacious Yet Compact Interior
Despite its compact B-segment classification, the Alfa Romeo Junior offers optimal interior space for its category. The car comfortably seats four adults, with room for a fifth passenger in a pinch—a common compromise in vehicles of this size.
The interior, though featuring some plastic elements, is predominantly adorned with Alcantara leather. The Seabelt-branded seats and portions of the dashboard and console are wrapped in this luxurious material, offering a tactile pleasure. The steering wheel, not too large, provides excellent grip, especially when taking corners at high speeds.
The rear trunk space is impressive, boasting 400 liters of capacity, making it one of the most spacious in its class.
The infotainment system is appropriately sized, featuring a “telescope” digital display of 10.25 inches in front of the driver and a central 10.25-inch touchscreen. Integrated with ChatGPT for advanced voice recognition, this system ensures a high level of connectivity and convenience.
Yes, an electric and funny Alfa Romeo
The sportiest version of Alfa Romeo’s first electric vehicle, the Elettrica Veloce, is powered by a full-electric Hybrid Synchronous Motor (HSM) producing 207 kW, equivalent to 280 hp. This power propels a relatively light electric vehicle, weighing in at 1,590 kg.
This powertrain allows the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of over 200 km/h.
The HSM motor is complemented by a compact and lightweight 54 kWh lithium-ion battery, which positively impacts the vehicle’s weight and provides a WLTP cycle range of 410 km. Moreover, it can recharge from 10% to 80% in less than 30 minutes at 100 kW DC fast charging stations.
