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April 17, 2024
Alfa Romeo's First BEV Also Arrives: The Compact SUV 'Milano,' Renamed 'Junior,' Makes Its Debut
Alfa Romeo JUNIOR
The New Compact SUV Renamed Just After Its Debut
Stellantis unveiled the Alfa Romeo compact SUV 'Milano' on April 10th, opening orders in its home country of Italy. However, due to an announcement from the Italian government stating that the use of the name 'Milano' was legally prohibited, Alfa Romeo announced on the 15th that it had decided to change the name to 'Junior'.
Available in Two Variants: Alfa Romeo's First BEV and a Hybrid Model
Initially announced with the name of its birthplace, Milan, this new compact SUV has since been renamed 'Junior'.
The body measures 4.17m long, 1.78m wide, and 1.5m high, fitting the popular B-segment size in the European market. Designed by the 'Alfa Romeo Centro Stile' design studio in Turin, it adopts a design based on a new interpretation of the brand's signature styling.
Its proportions, with short overhangs and powerful wheel arches, evoke the 1963 Alfa Romeo classic 'Giulia TZ,' while incorporating traditional styling elements such as the iconic 'scolled tail'.
Furthermore, the shield-shaped grille, a hallmark of Alfa Romeo's presence, is enhanced by its combination with adaptive full LED matrix headlights, further accentuating its distinctive character.
The 'Milano' is offered with two powertrain options: the hybrid 'IBRIDA' and the BEV 'ELETTRICA'.
The 'Elettrica' comes in two grades, both equipped with a 54kWh lithium-ion battery. A 156hp version (WLTP range up to 410km) and a sportier 240hp 'Veloce' version are also available.
Meanwhile, the 'Ibrida' powertrain consists of a 1.2-liter three-cylinder Miller cycle engine, a 48V lithium-ion battery, and a 21kW electric motor integrated into a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. It produces a maximum of 136hp and will be available not only as a front-wheel-drive model but also, for the first time in its segment, with all-wheel drive in the future.
The driving dynamics were developed by the team behind the 'Giulia GTA.' Based on what is claimed to be the lightest platform in its segment, the goal was to achieve the best road holding in its class.
The steering is adjusted for direct response with a 14.6 gear ratio. In the higher-spec BEV 'Veloce' grade, sports suspension lowers the ride height by 25mm, and the front and rear anti-roll bars are set more sportily to enhance grip and enable quicker cornering.
Inside, Italian design details are incorporated, reflecting a sporty yet premium feel and a sense of enclosure, such as the Quadrifoglio (four-leaf clover) shaped air vents, symbolizing Alfa Romeo's sportiness, and Sabelt sports seats.
Safety features include driver assistance functions for Level 2 autonomous driving. 360-degree parking sensors and a 180-degree rear camera monitor the surroundings, and a parking system capable of semi-automatic parking is also installed.
Additionally, through smartphone app integration and the inclusion of ChatGPT, users can enjoy their journeys by conversing with an 'navigator' using voice recognition.
In Italy, sales have begun for the hybrid 'IBRIDA' and the top-tier BEV 'ELETTRICA' launch edition, the 'Milano Speciale.' This edition also features equipment such as massaging seats and a leather steering wheel.
The release date and pricing in Japan are yet to be determined. We await further updates.
