- Alfa Romeo is looking into the possibility of bringing the Junior EV to the United States.
- The brand will show the crossover to U.S. dealers and could potentially offer the model in select states.
- The Euro-spec Junior Veloce has 276 hp and a WLTP range of 255 miles.
Alfa Romeo’s lineup is looking pretty sad these days as the Giulia is nearly a decade old and the Stelvio isn’t much younger. If that wasn’t bad enough, the Quadrifoglio variants are getting the axe in America.
Even worse, the brand’s newest crossover is off to a dreadful start. In the second quarter, Alfa Romeo only sold 887 Tonales in the United States and their year-to-date number of 1,615 units doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
More: Alfa Romeo Junior Veloce More Powerful Than Expected, Packs A 278 HP Punch
Help could be on the way as the Junior may be offered stateside. Speaking with Automotive News Europe, Alfa Romeo’s Tiago Guzzafame said “We will show the Junior Veloce to our U.S. dealers, asking them if they see potential for a fun-to-drive small electric hatch in select markets, such as California, Florida, and other CARB states.”
While nothing has been decided, product starved dealers might jump at the opportunity. That remains to be seen, but the Junior Veloce has a front-mounted motor producing 276 hp (207 kW / 280 PS) and 254 lb-ft (345 Nm) of torque. This enables the crossover to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 5.9 seconds, before hitting a top speed in excess of 124 mph (200 km/h).
Power is provided by a 54 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which provides a WLTP range of 255 miles (410 km). When the battery is low, it can go from a 10-80% charge in less than 30 minutes with a 100 kW DC fast charger.
In terms of equipment, the Euro-spec model has LED headlights, a sport-tuned suspension, and 20-inch wheels wrapped in high-performance rubber. They’re joined by a relatively basic interior with dual 10.25-inch displays and ChatGPT built into the voice recognition system. The model also has Spiga seats with eco-leather and fabric upholstery as well as 14.1 cubic feet (400 liters) of cargo capacity. Buyers will also find a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system that combines Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with a Lane Centering function.
Automotive News estimates the crossover would cost around $42,000 before a destination fee. If that number pans out, the Junior would barely slot beneath the Tonale, which begins at $43,845 before a $1,595 destination fee. The model would also face strong competition from the Tesla Model Y, which starts at $44,990 and has 320 miles (515 km) of range.
