Everything you need to know about the Alfa Romeo Junior
It’s not long now until Alfa Romeo brings its first electric model to the market with the Junior.
The new model will be joining a very competitive and overcrowded market of electrified small crossovers, but with Alfa Romeo’s history, pedigree and status symbol, the little Junior should go down well in this sector.
For a long time, the Italian brand has been missing an EV in its line-up, however, from 2027 all Alfa’s will be sold as battery models only.
That may be in the future, but we’re concentrating on the present and a lot of people will want to know more about the first chapter into an electrified era for Alfa Romeo.
We have answered a few of your questions regarding the smallest model in the Italian brand’s range.
Will the Junior be sold just as an electric car?
The simple answer to that is, no. From launch, you will be able to get the car in either hybrid or electric format.
The hybrid model, badged the Junior Ibrida, will come with a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine that is joined alongside a 28bhp electric motor and six-speed automatic gearbox.
There will be two electric models with different power outputs. The standard Elettrica will come with a 54kWh battery pack and an electric motor that produces 154bhp.
The spicier Veloce model will have increased power to 237bhp as well as having a sharper chassis setup with lower suspension
Is the Junior built on a bespoke platform?
The Alfa will not be built on a bespoke platform. In fact, it will be sharing Stellants’ e-CMP2 architecture – which is the same as in the Vauxhall Mokka, Fiat 600e, Peugeot 2008 and Jeep Avenger.
What are its main rivals?
In terms of rivals, this new model sits below the Tonale in Alfa Romeo’s line-up making the Junior a small crossover, with the hybrid versions rivalling cars like Lexus LBX and Audi Q2 whereas the electric versions will be going up against cars like the Volvo EX30 and Smart #1.
How practical is it?
Like with most small SUVs, practicality is a must for them to succeed and the Junior is no exception. Firstly, it has one of the biggest boots in this sector with a luggage capacity of 400 litres of space. There is an adjustable boot floor and hooks for shopping bags.
Inside, there is a decent amount of room in the front and the electric versions will also get added storage for their charging cables. However, looking in the rear, there seems to be less room for occupants with headroom looking a squeeze and legroom only looking average.
How much will it cost?
Prices are competitive with it undercutting cars like the Peugeot e-2008 by £2,000. The entry-level Junior Elettrica will come in at £33,895, while the performance-focused Veloce model will be priced at £42,295.
Petrol hybrid models will come with a starting price of £24,000 bringing it in at nearly £6,000 less than a Lexus LBX, making the Italian crossover great value for money.
When can I buy one?
Very soon, is the answer. By the end of this month (June 2024) Alfa Romeo will open up its order books for the Junior with expected deliveries to arrive later this year. However, even though we know that the hybrid version will cost just £24,000 it’s still unknown whether that model will be sold over here in the UK.
If it is, then expect Alfa Romeo to sell them in abundance because a compact, good-looking and practical Italian car that is also affordable will always be a firm favourite with British buyers.
