Although the Alfa Romeo Milano is still to arrive, its name was short-lived.

Although the Alfa Romeo Milano is still to arrive, its name was short-lived.

An old adage states, "Unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo, you can't call yourself a petrolhead." Unfortunately, owning an Alfa in the modern motoring climate is financially difficult, and the brand has been feeling some pressure, especially locally, as cars just aren't selling. To combat this, the brand has taken a page out of the parent organisation's book, Stellantis, and has built an EV that most certainly looks like an Alfa but has a more universal basis underneath.

The public named the new product the Milano, but the Italian government banned the use of this name almost immediately after its release. Alfa Romeo swiftly combined their heads and renamed the new car the Junior after the iconic GT 1300 Junior.

Immediately, the style screams Italian flair and flamboyance with its bold red paintwork, aggressive lines, and grille. The artistic wheels, complete with the iconic red callipers, add a touch of elegance and sophistication. The matrix headlights add an element of futurism to the equation, and the shape of the car, although falling into the small SUV segment, looks aggressive and bold.

Under the bonnet, or rather the car, is a similar power setup to the Abarth 600e and the Jeep Avenger, but with some added Alfa love. The Junior will come with the option of Q4, allowing for all-wheel drive. It also comes with a 54kWh battery and two power derivatives to choose from, the first being the Elettrica, which offers 116kW and 410km of range. The second is the Veloce, which provides you with 179kW.

There has also been a strong effort, like most Alfas, to ensure the driving experience is fun and engaging, which I'm sure the Alfa Romeo team will get just right. Now the big question is whether the Junior will make its way to South Africa. Given the company's efforts to increase sales, it seems likely that the Junior will eventually be available in South Africa. However, the timing of its arrival is still uncertain.

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