First dubbed as the Milano, the now-named "Junior," Alfa Romeo showed the world their first-ever all-electric offering, and this car quickly took the media world by storm. Now, the sporty crossover has made its way to our shores after a long wait, and we have quite a few good things to say about it.
This car is set to go up against the now-popular Volvo EX30, and it has quite the impression to make as the EX30 is somewhat of a fan favorite.
Being an Italian vehicle, you can rest assured that it will be nothing short of good-looking and even an attention grabber when it comes to the looks department. The car debuts Alfa's signature look, which sports the iconic upside-down ‘Progresso’ triangle grille nose featuring a carved Alfa Romeo emblem within it that looks superb. There are some new LED headlights and signature daytime lights signatures, like the ones you get in a Stelvio.
The overall look of the car from face value is an aggressive and sporty fascia consisting of many vents and slats on the almost fully covered surface because there's not much need for openings, as this is an EV.
In our market, you have either these top-of-the-range, signature 20-inch, 4-spoke wheel designs, which are absolutely gorgeous, or the entry-level-spec 18-inch wheels that were confirmed to come in more wheel designs.
The side profile is one that comprises little to no sharp lines and creases to make way for a smoother, rounded, and curvier silhouette. There are red elements, as can be seen on the top-of-the-range models; this, paired with the black roof, pillars , and cladding, gives the car an off-road-capable appearance. However, we doubt you would even attempt going over a sidewalk with those 20-inch low-profile wheels.
The rear takes on a hatchback-like stance and features a spoiler that isn't just aesthetically appealing but is actually an integral part of reducing drag and increasing the range so that the car cuts through the air much more easily. There are light fixtures that take on a lightbar effect but are merely a design element that makes the rear LED taillights look more appealing. I am especially a fan of the attention to detail from the Italian brand, adding an emblem to the C-pillar of the rear doors.
The cabin is a driver-centric space that features a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment screen supporting Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The driver gains a Cnnochiale digital driver's display, which is crisp and informative.
The cabin is nice and filled with suede, finished on the center console, door panels, roof lining, steering wheel, and in the optional Sabelt Sport seats, which look awesome, finished in a red and black mix. More light was brought into the cabin by the optional sunroof which is advisable to tick off since the cabin is a bit on the dark side.
The car is surprisingly practical, as the boot accommodates a spacious cargo volume of up to 400 liters and comprises of a an adjustable boot floor with three options.
For tech and safety, the car is filled with such features as automatic air conditioning, keyless go, adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, an electronic parking brake, and Alfa Connect Services (all depending on which model spec you choose.)
Our route saw us tackle the various terrains of JHB, including potholes, traffic conditions, and rain. Here, the Junior showcased its blend of refinement, safety and lively setup, which was surprisingly sprightly when you got cheeky. The car was easy to drive, as is the case with most EVs, and produced a kind of noise when driving to give you an experience instead of just awkward silence ; it sounded even cooler when accelerating once put in "Dynamic" mode.
From launch, there will only be two models to pick from in the range: the entry-level Elettrica, tame and everyday-like in terms of design and options added (this one gets cloth seats), and the top-of-the-range Elettrica model, which is your more sporty and flared-up version.
The Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica boasts two battery versions, ranging from 115 kW and 260nm, which will be found in the entry-level Elettrica, and the top-of-the-range Volce, which will have 206 kW and 345nm. There was word of the hybrid version of the Junior making its way to our shores, though the date has not been confirmed. The claimed range was said to be around the 410 km mark on a full charge.
With AC charging (11 kW), the Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica reaches a full charge from 0 to 100% in 5 hours and 45 minutes using the Mode 3 Cable, available as standard. Using DC fast charging, the Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica takes less than 30 minutes to recharge from 20% to 80%.
Pricing will stand as follows :
Elettrica model will be available at R799 900
Elettrica Volce will be available at R999 900
Included in the package purchase are a five-year/100 000 km vehicle warranty, and a five-year/100 000 km service plan. Owners can enjoy peace of mind with our 8 year/100,000-mile EV battery warranty. The warranty is transferable and guarantees at least 70% charging capacity throughout the period.