Test drive Low voltage for the Alfa—Junior model becomes a mild hybrid

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Until now, the smallest Alfa Romeo was only available with an electric drive. Now the Junior comes as a hybrid with a petrol engine.

Things are going well for Alfa. By the end of November 2024, previous year's sales were already reached in Germany. The new Junior has not yet fully entered the market. The Italians have high expectations for this small entry-level model. It is expected to boost sales by about 20 percent in 2025. However, so far the sporty SUV speedster has only appeared as an electric model at dealerships. And everyone knows that electric cars currently aren't really attracting customers.

Especially since the E-Alfa costs at least 39,500 euros (40.700,80 USD), and the Sport version with 280 hp, Veloce, is just under 48,500 euros (49.974,40 USD). Not exactly cheap, but for an electric car just under 4.20 meters long (approx. 13,8 ft long) in the format of an Opel Mokka or Volvo EX30, it's pretty normal today.

Junior Ibrida not a full hybrid

That's why Alfa is introducing a 136 hp gasoline engine. More precisely, the "Ibrida." It sounds hipper than "Hybrid" and less like Toyota. However, the association would be wrong anyway. Because the Ibrida, costing 29,500 euros (30.396,80 USD), is not a full hybrid, but a drive system with 48-volt technology (so-called mild hybrid). This simply means that the small Alfa does have an electric motor, but it can't really be driven electrically. Instead, the e-system is intended to temporarily support the combustion engine during start-up or when rolling without load with up to 55 Nm.

And this is how it works: Under the hood of the nearly 4.20-meter-long (approx. 13,8 ft long) Junior is a turbo engine with a 1.2-liter displacement, a 21 kW electric motor integrated into the six-speed dual-clutch transmission, and a small 48-volt battery. From a production standpoint, this is no problem for Alfa, as the electric model and gasoline engine come off the same assembly line, allowing the Italians to easily adjust production according to demand.

But how does it drive? Quite unspectacularly. Especially in city traffic, where the system quickly recharges the small battery during braking, the electric component is quite high. Alfa even promises that about half the distance is covered electrically there. The electric motor continuously pushes a few meters until the internal combustion engine kicks in again. The interaction between the electric motor and the combustion engine works well. Only at very slow speeds does the system jerk a bit when the gasoline engine takes over. After a normal drive around city and country roads, the onboard computer settled at a decent 6.1 liters.

Only brisk progress

When you step on the gas, it doesn't accelerate rapidly but moves forward briskly, especially in the Dynamic mode of the three driving programs. However, the slightly rough-running three-cylinder sounds a bit strained during acceleration, which fades into the wind noise at speeds over 100.

The small Alfa takes 8.9 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h (approx. 62 mph), and top speed is reached at 200 km/h (approx. 124 mph). If desired, you can shift gears with the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The sporty feel comes more from the chassis. Directly tuned steering, firm but not too hard suspension, and sportily shaped seats are the ingredients true Alfisti desire.

Strong in design

Just like the looks: Design has always been the strength of the Italians and is likely to be well-received by the fans. The attention to detail is visible. Currently, the introductory model Speciale is recommended for 31,500 euros (32.457,60 USD). It has some nice extras, such as a leather-covered dashboard, leather armrests in the doors, electrically adjustable sports seats with fabric-leather upholstery, and 19-inch wheels.

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Even the base model is attractively equipped, with two ten-inch screens for instruments and infotainment, alloy wheels, and LED headlights. However, one shouldn't expect a princely amount of space. The Junior is decidedly a driver's car with plenty of space in the front and barely any legroom in the back seat. On the other hand, the above-average-sized trunk allows more luggage to be stored than in the competitors' models.