An Intro to a hot Italian : Alfa Romeo JUNIOR
The Alfa Romeo Junior is a love letter to Italian flair, electric passion, and the kind of heritage that makes your heart race faster than its 0–100 sprint. It’s not just a car—it’s a flirtation on four wheels.
My day at the Alfa Romeo Junior Launch.
Mia Ziervogel
Let’s get one thing straight: Alfa Romeo doesn’t build cars. They craft obsessions. And the new Alfa Romeo Junior? It’s the latest object of desire from a brand that’s been seducing drivers since the days when horses were still considered transport. With over 150 years of Italian engineering, racing pedigree, and design drama behind it, Alfa Romeo isn’t just a carmaker—it’s a cultural institution.
Originally meant to be called the “Milano,” the name was vetoed by the Italian government because—brace yourself—it’s built in Poland. Only in Italy would a name spark a national identity crisis. So they went with “Junior,” a nod to the 1960s coupé that once made hearts flutter and gearboxes grind in ecstasy.
But don’t let the name fool you. The Junior is anything but juvenile. It’s got that signature Alfa grille that looks like it’s smirking at lesser cars. The Veloce trim delivers a spicy 207 kW and 345 Nm of torque, which means it’ll zip from 0 to 100 km/h in a blink and still have time to toss you a wink in the rearview mirror.
Inside, it’s all about driver connection. Alfa’s always been about making you feel like the protagonist in a Fellini film—hands on the wheel, wind in your hair, espresso coursing through your veins. The Junior Elettrica keeps that tradition alive, even if the soundtrack is now a whisper instead of a roar.
And yes, it’s electric. But don’t mistake silence for soullessness. This EV hums with heritage. It’s built on Stellantis’s e-CMP platform, shared with Peugeot and others, but Alfa’s done what Alfa does best: infuse it with emotion. It’s the automotive equivalent of slipping into a tailored Italian suit—same fabric, wildly different feeling.
Driving the Junior feels like rekindling an old flame. You remember why you fell in love with Alfa in the first place: the drama, the beauty, the occasional heartbreak (because let’s be honest, Alfa ownership has always been a bit of a rollercoaster).
The Junior: Alfa’s Flirtatious First Date
If the Giulia is the sultry opera singer and the Stelvio is the rugged mountaineer, the Junior is the charming barista who winks at you over your morning cappuccino.
The media did however get a day of Opera, Italian food and just enough time with the car to want to know more.
It’s got just enough attitude to turn heads, but it’s also practical enough to win over first-time buyers—especially those who’ve admired Alfa from afar but never dared to commit.
This car isn’t just for the petrolheads who dream in red and curse in Italian. It’s for the style-savvy, the romantics, and yes, the women who want a car that’s as bold and beautiful as they are. Alfa’s made a conscious effort to soften the edges without dulling the thrill. The Junior is compact, electric, and chic—like a Milan fashion week outfit that also happens to be really good at parallel parking.
The Junior doesn’t pander—it empowers. It’s got curves, confidence, and a cockpit that feels like it was designed by someone who understands that driving is an experience, not a chore. The interior is tactile and tech-forward, with just enough drama to remind you this is an Alfa.
It’s the kind of car that makes you feel like you’re starring in your own Italian rom-com. You don’t just drive it—you arrive in it.
Heritage with a Wink
Alfa’s legacy is steeped in motorsport, design, and a touch of madness. With roots stretching back over 150 years, Alfa Romeo has survived wars, won races, and broken hearts. The Junior pays homage to that with its name and its spirit, but it’s also refreshingly modern.
More about this red hot beauty when we get to spend a few days with it.
