Alfa Romeo has taken a fair few setbacks over the years. It lost its way a bit on a few false dawns, with questions over residual values and apparent inability to hold/win more buyers in a market of unprecedented change.
Yet even when going through the tough times, it still managed to show glimpses of what it could do with power, pace and styling for which it was famous and why devotees have loved the brand through thick and thin. The only thing was that there were fewer of the latter than heretofore.
But there is a new dawn. And it is marked by the appearance of its new youth-oriented Junior all-electric compact sports SUV.
Is it to be yet another false dawn or does electrification wipe the slate clean and level the playing field as batteries replace the internal combustion engine? Not to forget that it now is underpinned by the availability of the giant mother ship Stellantis group’s extensive array of technologies and platforms.
So how does that impact on the new hope for Alfa? Well, for starters they haven’t gone too far with the styling of Junior; indeed you would almost want it to be a more dramatic given that it is an Alfa. I think they made the decision to give it looks that conveyed confidence rather than too much bravado. This is an assured looking model that may yield to some glitzier-looking rivals but still has Alfa written all over it. Especially with that great Alfa grille out front.
The cabin is tidy enough; there is good room up front and space at the back is acceptable. Well, I did say it was called Junior. The dash is neat, instrumentation is clear even though conveyed via small-enough screens. You get the impression of a well-designed compact sports car interior. The materials used felt good to the touch and were of decent quality even on lower parts of cabin. The only thing I would point out to you is that the cabin was a bit dull due in no small measure to the dark upholstery.
There are two 54kWh battery models called Junior Elettrica (from €34,995) and the Elettrica Speciale (€38,950) and I have driven both over different routes and at different times.
These 156hp versions are claimed to be capable of covering 406kms or thereabouts on a single charge.
And then there is the powerhouse Veloce range-topper with its 280hp output which makes this into a hot-hatch (from €51,495).
It is something of a showcase for the brand and I should have driven it when the opportunity afforded itself but I opted for the more practical models. Oh! well, you live and learn.
The first and lasting impressions I had of the Junior duo tested was the quality of the steering and the pliant, but firm, response from the chassis. The combination impressed because it was capable of lighting up the drive even over shorter distances and at moderate speeds.
Such cohesion can only mean that there is plenty of tuning know-how left in the Alfa engineering departments to tweak out the finer points of an engaging suspension. They claim it has the most direct steering in its class and who am I to disagree after getting such enjoyments from my journeys?
I see where they are coming from in calling it Junior. For a younger driver starting out, or trading up from a supermini, this has enough vim and verve to be getting on with. Maybe the same would apply for a not-so-young driver?
Now it maybe be that it was my slightly energetic driving on better roads, but the battery power seemed to drain quite quickly. Around town it was far more parsimonious, which is probably the more relevant sort of journey – average commuting distance of 20km or 30km a day being a prime example.
But if you do venture further afield and if you can get to a 100kWh DC fast charging station en route, you’ll only have to wait 24 minutes to get from 10pc to 80pc charge. If you don’t I shudder to think about how slow some charging stations can be. I’ve suffered some serious waiting times of late.
Basic spec includes a good spread of comfort and safety elements: 18ins alloys, Iconica fabric seats, 6-way manual adjust on driver’ seat (four on the front passenger one), LED rear lights, 10.25ins customisable colour digital cluster, 10.25ins Radio display with smart-phone mirroring, adaptive cruise control, six-way electric driver seat.
‘Speciale’ trim has 10.25ins Radio with navigation and wireless smartphone, matt black body kit with Rosso Bera inserts, heated front seats, driver seat – 6-way electric adjustable, lumber massage function, performance steering wheel, Tech Pack, sporty pedals, wireless smartphone charger.
Considering the level of spec on the ‘Speciale’ version, you’d wonder if you might be tempted to go the extra €4,000 or so over the entry-level (€38,950 v €34,995)? It’s okay for me to say yes but if it were my money I’d probably be asking myself if I really want to pay nearly €40,000 for a small electric Alfa sports car. But if you enjoy adornments such as inserts, sporty pedals, badging as well as more sophisticated versions of basic technology (expanded elements of adaptive cruise control) then maybe it’s worth your while.
A lot depends on how much faith you have in the new-Alfa dawn. On the basis of my drives there is every reason to expect this could mark a real beginning. You’d like to think so. I can see younger prospective buyers being quite interested. But there is stiff opposition in the market-place with the likes of the Hyundai Kona, Kia EV3, VW ID.3, MINI Aceman and Jeep Avenger all vying for your money.
