Alfa Romeo, the brand that has long injected a dose of passione into even the most mundane of family saloons, is shrinking things down and plugging things in. Say ciao to the all-new Alfa Romeo Junior, a compact SUV that marks the brand’s re-entry into the small car game and its first serious step into the fully electric world. And for those of us down under, the wait is almost over, with the Italian stunner set to land in Australia this July.
Now, about that name. You might have heard whispers of it being called the ‘Milano’. Well, it was, until some folks in the Italian government got a bit prickly about a car named after an Italian city being built in Poland. In a move of swift, corporate gymnastics, Alfa Romeo resurrected the historic ‘Junior’ nameplate. Honestly, it’s a better fit. It evokes a sense of playful sportiness, a cheeky younger sibling to the Giulia and Stelvio, ready to cause a bit of trouble.
Bellissima, Bottled
As you’d expect from the artisans at the Alfa Romeo Centro Stile in Turin, the Junior is an absolute looker. It’s compact, sure, at just 4.17m long, but it packs a serious visual punch. The front is pure Alfa, featuring the iconic “scudetto” shield grille and aggressive ‘3+3’ adaptive full LED matrix headlights that stare you down with intent. Around the back, the classic “coda tronca” or chopped-tail design is a beautiful nod to Alfas of yore, proving that functional aerodynamics and drop-dead gorgeous design can, in fact, coexist. It will be available in six colours, all paired with a contrasting black roof for extra visual flair.
Step inside, and the focus is firmly on the person holding the wheel. The dashboard is dominated by the classic “cannocchiale” (telescope) style 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a direct link between driver and machine. A second 10.25-inch touchscreen is angled towards the driver, featuring customizable widgets and, of course, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Premium materials, “Spiga” seats in black cloth and leatherette with red stitching, and even a driver’s seat massage function ensure that style is backed up by comfort.
A Choice of Heartbeats: Ibrida or Elettrica
Alfa is hedging its bets by offering two distinct flavours of Junior.
For those not quite ready to go full-EV, the Junior Ibrida offers a clever compromise. It pairs a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbo engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. This isn’t just for show; the 21kW electric motor integrated into the gearbox allows the Junior to creep in traffic jams, manoeuvre in car parks, and even launch from a standstill using only electric power. It’s the slightly quicker of the two, dashing to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds, while sipping a miserly 4.1L/100km. Pricing for the Ibrida starts at a competitive AU$45,900 plus on-road costs (NZ TBC).
Then there’s the main event, the Junior Elettrica. This is Alfa’s big leap. It uses a 54kWh battery pack to power a front-mounted 115kW electric motor. It’s good for a WLTP range of up to 407km, which should quell most range anxiety. Performance is brisk rather than brutal, with a 0-100km/h time of 9.0 seconds. Where it really scores points is on charging. Plug it into a 100kW DC fast charger, and you can slurp up 100km of range in about 10 minutes, or go from 10-80% in under 30. The Elettrica will set you back AU$57,900 plus on-road costs (NZ TBC).
The Alfa Romeo Soul Remains
But is it a real Alfa? The brand is adamant that it is. The driving dynamics were honed by the very same team responsible for the fire-breathing Giulia GTA, which is a serious statement of intent. It features an exceptionally direct steering ratio and Alfa’s updated D.N.A. drive modes, recalibrated for the electric era: Dynamic for fun, Natural for daily duties, and Advanced Efficiency for maxing out your kilometres.
Safety and tech are also front and centre. At launch, the Junior comes in a single, well-equipped trim level boasting an impressive list of standard kit. We’re talking Level 2 autonomous driving, adaptive cruise, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, and a full suite of emergency braking and lane support systems. It all comes backed by a 5-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, with the Elettrica’s battery covered for 8 years or 160,000km.
The Alfa Romeo Junior is a bold and beautiful step for the iconic brand. It’s designed to capture the hearts of a new generation without alienating the faithful “Alfisti”. By blending its unmatched design heritage with forward-thinking hybrid and electric tech, Alfa might have just created the most desirable compact SUV on the market. We can’t wait to get behind the wheel.
