More than a decade after the first wave of modern electric cars arrived, Alfa Romeo is almost ready to unveil its very own EV, which will also be offered with combustion engines. The Italian company will officially debut the Milano sub-compact crossover on April 10th.
After the release of a small selection of official teaser images last month to help build anticipation for the event, our team of spies has now caught up with another prototype of the Alfa Milano, marking several firsts. This includes the first time the car could be seen testing on public roads, our first glimpse of the rear end, and the first look at the internal combustion version, as evidenced by the twin tailpipes.
Unlike the official January photos that teased the EV model, our spy photos show a camo-clad prototype of the ICE Milano, with both versions riding on the same e-CMP platform as Stellantis cousins like the Peugeot e-2008 and Jeep Avenger.
More : Alfa Milano Debuts In April, Here’s What We Know About The New Baby SUV
Baldauf
It’s difficult to make out the front-end details, but we can see that the waistline kicks up at the rear door, the rear door handles are mounted in the door frame adjacent to the C-pillar, and the way the hood extends toward the floor exaggerates the impression of a low frontal area.
Those styling cues all tally with what we gleaned from a leaked image of the Milano’s dashboard screen graphics that showed a polygonal version of the final product. That leak also revealed a set of three ultra-slim DRLs on either side of a traditional heart-shaped grille whose lines extend into the hood to create a broad power bulge, and additionally hinted at a rear end inspired by sporty versions of the 1970s Alfa Sud.
Though the Milano shares a platform and running gear with other Stellantis cars, Alfa promises it will deliver best-in-class handling, “extremely precise” steering, and a high level of grip. It says dynamic targets for the project were set and checked by the same team of engineers responsible for gems like the Giulia GTA, and currently working on the 33 Stradale supercar.
Alfa Romeo
Powertrain Options
Alfa hasn’t commented on the powertrain lineup on this occasion, but we expect the EV will get the same 54 kWh battery pack as the Peugeot e-2008 and should get close to that car’s 252-mile (406 km) range. But, unlike the 154 hp (156 PS) Peugeot, it will be offered with all-wheel drive, so should dramatically improve on the French car’s 9-second zero to 62 mph (100 kmh) time.
Both the Jeep Avenger and the Peugeot come with a choice of EV and combustion powertrains, and Alfa will also make use of the e-CMP platform’s flexibility by offering hybrid motors in the Milano in select markets. It remains to be seen which petrol (gasoline) engines will be offered on the ICE Milano, but the facelifted Peugeot 2008 is available with a choice of two 1.2-liter turbocharged engines delivering 99hp and 128hp, as well as a 48v hybrid variant producing 136 hp. There have been rumors about an even more powerful ICE variant being offered for the Alfa in the future, but these remain unsubstantiated for now.
Sales of the new Alfa Milano, which will effectively replace the MiTo supermini from a few years ago, will commence in Europe and other select markets worldwide in the second half of the year.
- Note: This article was updated with new spy photos and information on the combustion powered model that will be sold alongside the pure electric version (Feb 24).
