What is it?

The Junior arrives as Alfa Romeo’s first electric car. The Junior is the baby SUV in the Italian firm’s line-up and will go up against cars like the Peugeot e-2008 and Lexus LBX.

In recent times, Alfa Romeo has been forced to cut back its range to just a handful of models, but now thanks to the Tonale and the Junior, the brand is finally shaping up again in a fiercely competitive world of crossovers and SUVs. We’ve been given an initial go at finding out what this interesting new EV is like by driving around Fiat’s famous Balocco testing facility.

What’s new?

The Junior breaks a lot of barriers for Alfa Romeo. Not only is it the firm’s first electric model, but it is also the smallest car in its range and the cheapest, too.

There’s a new body with cool styling features such as the Scudetto – or ‘little shield’, in Italian – front grille that houses the Alfa Romeo logo on electric versions while the interior incorporates Alfa’s famously style-focused approach to cabin design.

Credits: PA;


What’s under the bonnet?

The little Alfa in electric guise will be available with a choice of one battery pack with three power outputs.

All models come with a 54kWh battery pack bringing 158bhp and a range of up to 250 miles on a single charge in the standard version.

All models will be compatible with DC rapid charging – up to 100kW – which will enable them to go from 10 to 80 percent charge in less than 30 minutes.

What’s it like to drive?

The Junior drives just as well as it looks. For a small crossover, the way it handles is second to none thanks to very little body roll and good balance through the corners. The steering has a nice weighty feel without being too artificial and the power from its electric powertrain is plentiful.

We were testing the 283bhp Veloce model which also comes with larger 20-inch alloy wheels and has a 25mm drop in ride height. The ride, although a little firm, wasn’t unbearable – though we didn’t drive the Junior on any public roads. However, an artificial ‘acceleration’ noise pumped through the speakers to simulate a sportier driving experience sounded cheap and it would have been better to remove the sound altogether.

Credits: PA;


How does it look?

Alfa Romeo knows a thing or two about designing a stylish car and the Junior keeps up that trend. The front end has boomerang-shaped front headlights with four individual LED daytime running lights, while the front grille has a carved design that houses the Italian firm’s logo. The Junior is one of the first Alfa Romeo’s to feature a centrally mounted front number plate, too.

The side profile gives a sportier three-door appearance with the famous hidden rear door handles – something we’ve seen on Alfa models for decades – and a large gloss black lower bumper with diffuser giving a more dynamic and stylish stance.

What’s it like inside?

Inside, there is leather, Alcantara and our Veloce model has Sabelt sports seats which look great, hold you well through the corners and are fairly comfortable, though we feel like they may get a little firm over longer distances. Little touches like the Biscione snake from the Alfa Romeo logo are found on the air vent toggles and on the dashboard, too.

The infotainment screen, although angled towards the driver, is positioned a bit too far down and the climate control switches are hard to see in bright sunlight and fiddly to use on the move. The glovebox was a decent size, however, if the front passenger was sitting in their seat, the lid would cut into their legs.

Boot space is one of the biggest in its class at 400 litres and the rear seats fold down to increase its capacity further, it’s just a shame that there is a slight ridge between the boot floor and rear seats.

Credits: PA;


What’s the spec like?

From launch, the Junior will be available in three different trim levels.

The standard Elettrica and comes with 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, LED headlamps and taillights, rear parking sensors and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen.

Move up to the Speciale Elettrica and it adds a sports styling kit, tinted rear windows, sports pedals, six-way electric driver’s seat with massage function and an electric tailgate.

Our test car was the flagship Veloce model, which continues Alfa Romeo’s sporty image with a larger power output of 283bhp. It boasts a Torsen differential, 20-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, black and red leather seats, 25mm lower suspension and a black roof.

Verdict

The Alfa Romeo Junior is an important car for the Italian firm. Not only is it its first EV, but it’s an electric car that needs to keep up the brand’s reputation of producing an engaging drive while keeping style — and the Junior certainly does exceed in those departments.

While its interior may be let down by cheap plastics and a user interface that confuses form with function, the Junior is still a practical and very likeable crossover that should be a hit for Alfa Romeo.

Facts at a glance

  • Model as tested: Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce 280
  • Engine: 54kWh battery
  • Power: 283bhp
  • Torque: 345Nm
  • 0-60 mph: 5.7 seconds
  • Top speed: 124mph
  • MPG: N/A
  • CO2 emissions: N/A
  • Electric range: 215 miles (est)
  • Maximum charge rate: 100kW