Alfa Romeo revises power in Junior Veloce electric model
The company made a hash job when mentioning an output less by 29kW on debut
20 June 2024 - 18:48
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
The Alfa Romeo Juniour is the Italian brand's newest and compact SUV available in hybrid and full-electric guise. Picture: SUPPLIED
Back in April when launching the Junior crossover, Italian brand Alfa Romeo announced hybrids and a pair of full-electric models — a base model outputting 116kW and the Elettrica Veloce model with 178kW. At the time it had not fully completed development of the Veloce.
Now the Italian brand has come out to say the development is complete and the flagship battery-electric vehicle (BEV) model now outputs 207kW and 345Nm.
The company also says that in crafting the Junior BEV it has tapped into the expertise of the engineering team responsible for creating the brand’s modern sporting hits such as the 4C, 8C, Giulia GTA and 33 Stradale.
Aims include maximum performance and road handling, and the most direct and precise steering in the segment, according to Alfa Romeo. It also features a Torsen differential and sports suspension that’s lowered by 25mm; sportier front and rear anti-roll bars and a braking system with front discs measuring more than 380mm with four-piston monobloc calipers shrouded by 20-inch alloy wheels.
The top-range BEV model that produces 207kW and 345Nm is being developed at Alfa Romeo's private testing grounds in Italy. Picture: SUPPLIED
The car is being developed at Alfa Romeo’s Balocco proving grounds in Italy. The company has since 1962 used the track to develop its performance models in privacy, and the entire route of more than 20km has never been made available to external drivers who are not members of the Alfa Romeo development team.
For the first time, the international press be will be allowed access to the entire configuration where the “Alfa Corse” team has tested and fine-tuned racing cars that competed in international motor racing, including Formula 1 and DTM.
Bungles
This is the second bungle in the journey of the sexy little crossover. Initially, the company had settled on the Alfa Romeo “Milano” name for its new “Bambino” but a day after its global debut, the Stellantis brand changed its name to “Junior”. This is after Italy’s government criticised the choice of an Italian name for a vehicle made in Poland.
Italy’s industry minister, Adolfo Urso, said the name violated an Italian law that targets “Italian-sounding products that falsely claim to be Italian”.
“Though we think the ‘Milano’ name met all legal requirements, we took the decision to change it to ‘Junior’ to ease relations with the Italian government.”
Milano was meant to be a tribute to the Italian city where Alfa Romeo was founded in 1910. The Junior name also references the Italian brand’s history as it evokes one of its successful models from the 1960s,” said Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato after the row.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
International News
Alfa Romeo revises power in Junior Veloce electric model
The company made a hash job when mentioning an output less by 29kW on debut
Back in April when launching the Junior crossover, Italian brand Alfa Romeo announced hybrids and a pair of full-electric models — a base model outputting 116kW and the Elettrica Veloce model with 178kW. At the time it had not fully completed development of the Veloce.
Now the Italian brand has come out to say the development is complete and the flagship battery-electric vehicle (BEV) model now outputs 207kW and 345Nm.
The company also says that in crafting the Junior BEV it has tapped into the expertise of the engineering team responsible for creating the brand’s modern sporting hits such as the 4C, 8C, Giulia GTA and 33 Stradale.
Aims include maximum performance and road handling, and the most direct and precise steering in the segment, according to Alfa Romeo. It also features a Torsen differential and sports suspension that’s lowered by 25mm; sportier front and rear anti-roll bars and a braking system with front discs measuring more than 380mm with four-piston monobloc calipers shrouded by 20-inch alloy wheels.
The car is being developed at Alfa Romeo’s Balocco proving grounds in Italy. The company has since 1962 used the track to develop its performance models in privacy, and the entire route of more than 20km has never been made available to external drivers who are not members of the Alfa Romeo development team.
For the first time, the international press be will be allowed access to the entire configuration where the “Alfa Corse” team has tested and fine-tuned racing cars that competed in international motor racing, including Formula 1 and DTM.
Bungles
This is the second bungle in the journey of the sexy little crossover. Initially, the company had settled on the Alfa Romeo “Milano” name for its new “Bambino” but a day after its global debut, the Stellantis brand changed its name to “Junior”. This is after Italy’s government criticised the choice of an Italian name for a vehicle made in Poland.
Italy’s industry minister, Adolfo Urso, said the name violated an Italian law that targets “Italian-sounding products that falsely claim to be Italian”.
“Though we think the ‘Milano’ name met all legal requirements, we took the decision to change it to ‘Junior’ to ease relations with the Italian government.”
Milano was meant to be a tribute to the Italian city where Alfa Romeo was founded in 1910. The Junior name also references the Italian brand’s history as it evokes one of its successful models from the 1960s,” said Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato after the row.
New Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio Super Sport edition pair shown
Audacious new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale unveiled
New Alfa Romeo Milano debuts with hybrid and full-electric options
Alfa Romeo changes name of car after un-Italian row
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
WATCH: Mate Rimac drops hints about new Bugatti model
Information requested by EU e-vehicle probe is ‘unprecedented’, says China
Mercedes-Benz E-Class goes on sale in SA
EV car sales drop in EU as German demand slumps
REVIEW: Diesel Kia Seltos is frugal but it’s no bargain
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.