The big man, JC (Jeremy Clarkson, not Jesus Christ), once claimed: “You can’t be a true petrolhead until you have owned an Alfa Romeo”. But what if said Alfa is battery-powered, front-wheel drive and closely related to a Vauxhall?
The Junior is the first Alfa Romeo to fully replace petroleum with lithium. So it’s unclear whether you’re still allowed to wear your ‘true petrolhead’ badge out of the house. Or indeed whether the proclamation in your social media bio now requires an asterisk.
The Alfa Romeos that the automotive messiah referred to made their owners overlook poor reliability and approximate build quality due to their abundant character and charm. Like that toxic relationship you couldn’t help returning to despite your friends’ advice, you were willing to tolerate the bad times for the good.
When it comes to classic Alfa ownership, that same friendly advice is echoed by the warnings of your mechanic. And he will surely be less sympathetic than your friends to weepy roadside phone calls.
A high-riding hot hatch
The Junior has to work harder than many 21st century sporting Alfas to express itself, as it can’t rely on any Maranello magic. Instead of a Ferrari-derived engine, the Veloce wields a 207kW battery that delivers 280hp.
This is the flagship model, but you can also order the Junior with a 115kW battery and 156hp, or as a petrol/electric hybrid with 136hp. The Veloce is veloce (Italian for ‘fast’) enough for spirited driving, although I’ve experienced more stomach-wrenching torque from similarly priced EVs.
The 20-inch front wheels will break traction fairly easily, despite Michelin Pilot Sport tyres that are designed specifically for EVs. It slightly blunts the instant acceleration from what is effectively a high-riding hot hatchback.
Brake expectations
I was actually more impressed with how the Junior Veloce scrubs off speed. Its 380mm brake discs are fully exposed behind the sleek four-spoke alloys: another design worthy of Alfa’s ‘greatest hits’ album of beautiful wheels (now rivalled in length only by ABBA’s). The discs are squeezed by four-pot calipers that feel perfectly calibrated to the pedal, providing a wonderfully satisfying sensation underfoot.
One benefit of electric cars is one-pedal driving, although I turned this off every time by switching to Dynamic mode. I preferred to keep enjoying the brakes rather than letting the car slow down on my behalf, even if regenerative braking can be more efficient.
I mentioned that the Junior shares much with a Vauxhall, as both brands are part of the Stellantis conglomerate. In fact, it has similar underpinnings to the Vauxhall Mokka, Peugeot e-2008 and Jeep Avenger. Things are dialled up for the Alfa Romeo, though, which boasts a limited-slip differential and revised suspension to drop it 25mm closer to the road.
Junior at senior prices
The result is a car that handles well. If you’re in the market for a compact family SUV, the Junior Veloce is the enthusiast’s choice from the Stellantis range.
The base electric Junior is attractively priced at £33,905, while the Veloce starts from £42,295. The car tested here weighed in at £48,595, however, thanks to extras such as an electric sunroof and stealthy Arese Grey paint.
One positive of being part of the Stellantis group is a platform that is well-proven. All of the screens and switchgear are easy to use and work effectively. My feeling, though, is that the car’s character is diluted by all this common sense, expunging some of the Alfa Romeo quirks of old.
Joining Clarkson’s club
Unlike its Abarth 600e rival, there are no fake engine noises or gimmicky graphics when you change drive modes. Even the Alfa Romeo badge on the bonnet has lost its colour. The overall package feels very grown-up, and as driver-focused as an electric crossover can be.
The specific Alfa touches, such as the chunky Sabelt seats (part of the optional Sport Package), plus the Alcantara trim on the dashboard and steering wheel, also give the car’s interior a notable lift.
Owning a Junior Veloce should grant you entry to the petrolhead club, albeit not for the same reasons as Alfa Romeos of the past. Its proven underpinnings and lack of a combustion engine mean the familiar Alfa trade-off of reliability for character has likely been reversed.
Verdict: Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce
Still, if you want an electric car for everyday use, ideally to sit alongside a petrol-powered sports car on your driveway, the Veloce is an appealing choice.
Alfa’s modifications are purposeful, subtly elevating its EV into a more rewarding and desirable package. And if your mate in the pub mishears and thinks you have bought a Giulia, rather than a Junior, you needn’t correct him. That way your Clarkson credentials can remain fully intact.
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