Alfa Romeo Junior gets 30kW more than planned

ALFA ROMEO is set to offer its Junior Veloce electric SUV with 30kW more than initially advertised. Instead of the originally stated 177kW, the small segment SUV will now deliver 207kW.

Metered out alongside 345Nm of torque, the Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce promises plentiful front-wheel drive performance, a point the Italian brand says will be dished up with “the most direct steering in the segment” (at 14.6:1).

The description hints that the Junior Veloce will bring with it a generous helping of Italian goodness, the package further offering 25mm lowered suspension, fatter anti-roll bars front and rear, larger 380mm front brake rotors, four-piston monobloc callipers, a Torsen-style front differential and 20-inch alloy wheels with sticky high-performance rubber.

A Junior Q4 is also understood to be in the works, offering a rear-mounted electric motor to deliver all-wheel drive.

“The Alfa Romeo engineering development team has finalized the dynamic development of the project. Tests have shown the output of the electric motor to be 280hp, in line with the Giulia, Stelvio and Tonale Veloce models,” said Alfa Romeo in a statement.

“The new electric motor will be making its debut in the new compact sports car, the sportiest version in the line-up in this configuration.”

If the information already to hand doesn’t persuade that the Junior Veloce will indeed be a tidy little corner carver, Alfa Romeo said that engineers from programs including the 4C, 8C, Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio, Giulia GTA and the 33 Stradale were called upon for the project.

Unfortunately, Australian buyers will need to wait at least another 12 months to experience the Junior for themselves.

Stellantis Australia said the Junior will make its Aussie debut in the second half of 2025, with both petrol and electric versions expected.

At entry level, the petrol-powered Junior features a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 48-volt mild hybrid assistance. It develops 100kW of power, put to the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. An all-wheel drive variant is expected later.

Two battery electric (BEV) Junior variants will also be offered from launch, a 115kW standard option and the high-output Veloce detailed above.

Both are front-wheel drive and feature a 54kWh lithium-ion battery pack. WLTP range is listed at up to 410km with a 100kW DC charging time of 30 minutes detailed for the 10-80 per cent standard.

As seen elsewhere in the Alfa Romeo range, the Junior features the brand’s uniqe DNA drive selector offering Dynamic, Natural and Advanced Efficiency settings.

The Junior is visually characterised by varying grille designs between grades – each with the famed Leggenda script – Guilia TZ inspired tail-lights, and Matrix LED headlights (on high-grade variants).

In the cabin, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster sits ahead of the driver with a second 10.25-inch set central in the dashboard for infotainment duties. The infotainment screen controls most of the Junior’s ancillary functions, including the climate control.

The air vents are shaped in the Quadrifoglio (four-leaf clover) motif, while high-grade models score Sabelt sport seats.

LED ambient cabin lighting, sat nav, massaging seats with electronic adjustment, keyless entry and ignition, aluminium pedals, and Alcantara upholstery are also available throughout the Junior range.

Safety features include adaptive cruise control, AEB, front and rear acoustic parking sensors, lane centring assist, and a reversing camera.

The Junior measures 4710mm in length, 1780mm in width, and 1500mm in height. Cargo space is listed at 400 litres with a hands-free powered tailgate available.