Gorgeous Alfa Romeo Junior Revealed, Specs Confirmed for Australia

With its vehicle line-up showing signs of age, Alfa Romeo is making a comeback in the compact segment with the official launch of the Alfa Romeo Junior SUV in Australia. The compact SUV is due for an Australian launch by Q3 2025 and while the price hasn’t been confirmed for our market, we’d expect it to land around the £33,895 ($65,000 AUD) and £35,695 ($68,500 AUD) mark that it costs in Europe.

The Junior is more than just a new SUV to replace Alfa’s earlier hatchbacks, it’s also their first battery-electric car – although Australian buyers will also get a hybrid version.

Hybrid variants of the Alfa Romeo Junior will be called “Ibrida” (hybrid) form and will be powered by a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder Miller cycle engine and a 48-volt lithium-ion battery and a 21kW electric motor built into the 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The total power on offer is a modest 134 hp and 230Nm of torque which is good for a 0-100 km/h time of 8.9 seconds. It’s certainly not quick, but it is frugal with a combined fuel consumption of 4.1L/100km (NEDC). However, what we’re excited about is the new ‘Elettrica’ battery-electric version which has a front-mounted electric motor that develops more power than the hybrid (154bhp/ 260Nm) and houses a 54kwh battery pack with a decent range of up to 407km (WLTP).

Alfa Romeo Junior Ibrida (Hybrid)

• Engine: 1.2L 3-cylinder Miller Cycle with Variable-Geometry Turbo
• Battery: 48V lithium-ion
• Electric Motor: 21 kW integrated with 6-speed DCT
• Power/Torque: 100 kW / 230 Nm
• Top Speed: 206 km/h
• 0–100 km/h: 8.9 seconds
• Fuel Consumption: 4.1 L/100 km (NEDC)
• Electric-Only Modes: e-Launch, e-Queueing, e-Creeping, e-Parking

Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica (Electric)

• Motor: Front-mounted Hybrid Synchronous Motor
• Battery: 54 kWh
• Power/Torque: 115 kW / 260 Nm
• 0–100 km/h: 9.0 seconds
• Driving Range: Up to 407 km (WLTP)
• Charging:
  • 100 kW DC: 10 min = 100 km, 10–80% in ~30 mins
  • 11 kW AC onboard charger
  • Mode 3 cable, CCS Combo Type 2 port
• Weight: 1,545 kg

While being their smallest SUV, the Junior still bristles with the expected Alfa Romeo DNA since it was developed by the same team that made the Giulia GTA and hence, there has been a focus on handling, steering feedback, and grip.

Not just in terms of driving as despite its compact dimensions, the Junior is a feisty-looking thing with traditional Alfa design elements juxtaposed against a crossover silhouette. It is compact though with a length of 4.17m, width of 1.78m, and height of 1.5m but there are some interesting design details including the front end which has the “leggenda scudetto” (shield) symbol along with a black grille which harks back to the Alfa Romeo sports cars of the 1920s and 30’s.

Developed at the Balocco testing centre, Alfa claims that the Junior has the most direct steering set-up in its class along with the sportier versions being lowered by 25 mm. There are front and rear anti-roll bars that are being tuned for keener handling.

The other interesting design element is the aggressive-looking adaptive full LED matrix headlights along with sharper air intakes plus chiselled flanks.

Move to the side and there is the “biscione” (serpent) which has been lasered into the C-pillar while the rear styling has the “coda tronca” or the truncated tail effect which is also inspired by the Giulia TZ. Couple that with 20-inch “telephone dial” wheels and the Junior is a knee-trembler of a shape and stands out in a largely sanitised design environment.

• Instrument Cluster: 10.25” “Cannocchiale” digital TFT
• Infotainment: 10.25” touchscreen
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
  • DAB+, Alfa™ Connected Services, Navigation
• Seats:
  • “Spiga” design: Leatherette + cloth with red accents
  • Driver: 6-way power with lumbar + massage
  • Passenger: 6-way manual
  • Heated front seats
• Wireless charging pad with “Biscione” logo
• Interior ambient lighting: 8 colours
• Aluminium pedals & door sills
• Height adjustable cargo floor
• Frameless auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Keyless Entry & Go
• Single Zone Air Conditioning
• Electric Park Brake with Auto Hold
• Front USB A/C + Rear USB C ports
• Power Liftgate with Handsfree function
• 6 Speakers

Inside, Alfa has tried hard to sprinkle the brand DNA liberally with the ‘telescope’ design of the instrument cluster and the touchscreen being angled towards the driver. Even the air conditioning vents are in the shape of a Quadrifoglio (four-leaf clover). Technology is taken care of with twin 10.25-inch screens (wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) along with the usual suite of driver assistance features. Other features include a hands-free electric tailgate, LED Matrix lights, an electrically operated driver’s seat with massage function, and aluminium pedals plus Alcantara upholstery.

Other features include 8-colour interior ambient lighting, Level 2 ADAS suite, front/rear/side parking sensors with rear camera, 6 speaker audio system and a powered tailgate with a handsfree function.

Despite its compact proportions, the boot space for the electric version is an ample 400 litres.

To be launched with six colours namely White Sempione, Black Tortona, Red Brera, Blue Navigli, Arese Steel and Galleria Light Grey, the Junior will join the current Alfa Romeo line-up which includes the Tonale, Giulia and Stelvio amongst falling sales for Alfa Romeo locally. The brand is hoping that the Junior will claw back market share by being present in the lucrative crossover space.

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