Alfa Romeo’s long-awaited return to the compact segment arrives with a bold spark as the Junior brings the brand’s unmistakable flair into the electric era. It is a crucial moment for the Milanese marque in South Africa, introducing its first fully electric models while aiming squarely at style-conscious urban drivers.
Combining Italian passion for sporty design with advanced electric technology, the new Alfa Romeo Junior extends the Milanese automaker’s legacy of performance and craftsmanship into the compact urban segment. Its introduction to South Africa also marks a historic moment for the brand, as it’s the first fully electric Alfa models (Elettrica and Veloce) in our market.
Even so, it is regrettable that the Junior is not available locally in Ibrida (hybrid) form, ostensibly because its 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, turbo petrol unit is not compatible with our local fuel quality. A pity, really, as the hybrid version (now also available with Q4 all-wheel drive overseas) might have been a more accessible option, given the country’s lagging EV infrastructure and the higher price point of electric models.
However, the company is positioning the Elettrica as an urban-focused, premium electric vehicle to attract new buyers to the brand. The Junior in Veloce trim (the model we evaluated at the Gauteng launch) must now be considered one of the most attractive models in the small crossover segment.
NEW TAKE ON DESIGN
Even more compact than a Volvo EX30, measuring 4,173 mm long, 1,781 mm wide, and with a 2,562 mm wheelbase, the Junior’s striking exterior presents a new take on the brand’s unmistakable design language, ushering in some distinctive and disruptive styling cues that pay homage to Alfa Romeo’s heritage.
On the Elettrica, the signature “trilobo” front features a Heritage black “scudetto” grille embellished with the Alfa Romeo signature in italics, evoking the Alfa Romeo sports cars of the 1920s and 1930s, while the Elettrica Veloce has an extraordinarily bold and sporty reinterpretation of the cross and “biscione” serpent, the so-called Progresso grille, inspired by the new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.
Other elements include the “telephono” wheels on the Elettrica and the “coda tronca” (truncated tail) rear end, paying homage to the legendary Giulia TZ, and a laser-etched biscione emblem on the C-pillar, augmented by clever air intake trickery and LED illuminations to connect Alfa Romeo’s rich heritage with its electrified future.
Each trim showcases Alfa Romeo’s blend of elegance and sportiness: the Elettrica features 18″ alloy wheels, blue-and-black ‘Icona’ seats and a six-speaker audio system, while the Veloce adds 20″ alloy wheels, black-and-red “Spiga” seating, a contrasting black roof, Veloce decals and red brake callipers. A panoramic sunroof is available as a R20,000 option.
Inside, both Junior models feature a familiar driver-focused cockpit enhanced by new premium materials and upmarket trim, but the 10.25” digital instrument cluster and 10.1” touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto appear relatively small compared to those in rival cars.
The cabin, although compact, is comfortable and inviting, with enough space up front and somewhat claustrophobic at the back due to the high waistline, with 400 litres of luggage space. With the rear seats folded down, it frees up 1,265 litres, more space than in the Volvo EX30.
Both models are equipped with the latest advanced driver-assistance technologies, including Level 2 ADAS with lane centring, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, LED matrix headlights, emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist recognition, and blind-spot detection.
SOLID ROAD SPIRIT
Both Juniors feature a 54 kWh battery and single electric motor driving the front wheels, with the unit in the Elettrica delivering 118 kW and 260 Nm, and the more powerful motor in the range-topping Elettrica Veloce developing a substantial 207 kW and 345 Nm.
Alfa Romeo claims a single charge travel range of 410 km for the Elettrica and 350 km for the Veloce – similar numbers compared to the Volvo EX30 Standard Range Core and, in real-world circumstances, only sufficient for short urban commutes, further limiting an already restricted buyer’s profile.
Recharging the battery pack (the Junior accepts both AC and DC charging, with the Veloce taking up to 100 kW) will take just under half an hour to reach 20-80% when using a high-capacity DC charger, according to Alfa Romeo, but significantly longer to reach 100%. Charging at home using an 11 kW AC charger (Alfa Romeo indicated a home charger will be included in a purchase deal) will take nearly six hours.
Only Veloce models were available for evaluation on the (short) launch route. With a full battery, it displayed some proper and instant shove, giving credence to Alfa’s claim of 5.9 seconds for the zero to 100 km/h sprint and a top speed of 200 km/h (compared to nine seconds from zero to 100km/h and a top speed of 152 km/h for the more mundane Elettrica).
Besides being quick off the mark, the Veloce also felt solid and composed on the road, and even emitted some sound (an artificially induced growl) to offset that soulless EV hush. Best of all, and true to its sporty DNA, the Veloce felt light (it has a best-in-class weight of 1,590 kg) and agile, with customary Alfa Romeo nimbleness in the corners, and sharp, precise turn-in behaviour thanks to a limited-slip diff.
In this sense, it is now the most enjoyable EV around (even better than a Mini Aceman or GWM Ora 03), but its firm suspension, while compliant, sometimes crashes through road corrugations due to its wide, low-profile tyres and 25 mm lower ride height. And at cruising speed, there was some wind noise around the side mirrors.
LAST WORD
Combining Italian design flair and engineering excellence with advanced electric innovation (over 50,000 orders globally to date) confirms the appeal of the Junior, as it resonates strongly with urban drivers who value style, performance, and individuality.
Still, due to taxes, pricing is steep, with the Elettrica going for R799,900 (hardly entry-level) and the Veloce for R999,900 (over a million bucks with the sunroof fitted), making it more expensive than the Mini Aceman SE. Given the growing popularity of hybrids locally, the Ibrida should hit the sweet spot, so Alfa Romeo South Africa should really work hard to make it available here.
Report by FERDI DE VOS | Images © STELLANTIS/ALFA ROMEO SOUTH AFRICA
