Alfa Bravo! Milano compact SUV is first electric car from Alfa Romeo. Expected here in 2025

UPDATE: Just days after its reveal, Alfa Romeo has been forced to change the name of its first electric vehicle from Milano to Junior. The controversy has blown up in Italian parliament because the compact SUV is named after Alfa’s hometown yet will be built in Poland. Anyway, read on below for the details of the Milano… sorry Junior.

Alfa Romeo has unwrapped its all-new Milano, its first all-electric car and third SUV.

Created to replace both the old MiTo and Giulietta hatch, it will sit beneath the current Tonale SUV.

The Milano introduces a bold new design language for the brand that reinvents the car-maker’s famous Scudetto shield for the electric age.

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In place of the Scudetto shield, that usually sports either horizonal chrome bars or a mesh grille, is a cut out of the firm’s trademark cross and snake logo.

The shield is flanked either side by large ‘P’ shaped while below it is a large air dam that will channel cool-air to the new EV’s motor and battery.

A pair of vertical air dams reduce turbulence within the front wheel arches, reducing the range-sapping drag.

The rear of the Milano pays tribute to the legendary Giulia TZ by mimicking its chopped Kamm tail-effect rear. A large light bar interlinks the tail-lamps.

Like the Giulietta hatch, the small SUV will feature a pair of hidden rear door handles that are tucked away within the rear C-pillars.

Inside the Alfa’s cabin the interior is dominated by a 10.25-inch infotainment system that’s angled slightly towards the driver. There’s also a cowled 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Both are customisable.

The new Milano’s infotainment features the car-maker’s latest tech including real-time traffic and a battery and driving style monitor that helps the nav provide a route that includes charging stops along the way, removing range anxiety.

There’s also a ChatGPT-powered ‘Hey Alfa’ onboard assistant.

Heavily-bolstered optional Sabelt sport seats and a pair of large turbine-style vents all emphasise the sportiness of the cabin.

As well as sporty, designers are said to have focused on providing as much space as possible within both for occupants and luggage with the small Alfa offering the largest boot in its small SUV segment (400L).

Just two powertrains will be offered from launch – the Electtrica that produces 115kW and a more powerful 177kW Veloce. There will also be a petrol-powered mild-hybrid called Ibrida but we won’t worry about that here.

Both Milano EVs are front-wheel drive and come powered by a 54kWh battery that is compatible with DC charging up to 100kW. A range of up to 400km is provided with the smaller motor.

Alfa’s first mass-produced EV takes less than 30 minutes for a 10 to 80 per cent top up.

Based on the same Stellantis STLA Small platform (formerly known as the e-CMP architecture), that underpins the Jeep Avenger and Fiat 600, it’s estimated the latest Milano measures in at 4170mm long, 1780mm wide and stands 1500mm tall.

Developed by the same team behind the fastest Giulia GTA, Alfa Romeo has already said that when it lands Milano will deliver both “best-in-class driving dynamics” and “guarantee quick cornering with a high level of grip”.

That explains why the entry Alfa gets the quickest steering in its class and is said to be the lightest in its class with a near-perfect weight distribution.

The most powerful Veloce gets extra chassis tech that includes a sport suspension sitting 25mm lower than the Elettrica.

The Veloce also gets a front and rear anti-roll bar and wide 380mm front discs that are clamped down on by four-piston callipers.

Maximising traction is a Torsen limited-slip differential and 20-inch wheels wrapped in grippy high-performance tyres.

Like other Alfas, the Milano gets a DNA drive mode selector that include a Dynamic setting that sharpens up the steering and throttle.

There’s also a Natural mode and a useful Advanced Efficiency setting that can maximise range on a long drive.

From its introduction later this year Alfa Romeo will offer a launch edition Milano Speciale Elettrica that includes an 11kW onboard charger, 18-inch alloy wheels, a faux leather and cloth seats, leather steering wheel and electric massage seats. There’s also eight-colour ambient lighting.

Three option packs are also available. Later, a faster Quadrifoglio version is expected to follow that will get even more power.

With production set to be based at the same Polish factory that currently builds the Jeep Avenger, once the Milano goes on sale it will account for around 40 per cent of the Italian firm’s global volumes.

There’s no word on exact local timings for the new entry Alfa Romeo Milano but it’s hotly tipped to land in Australian showrooms in early 2025.

Alfa Romeo has already announced that its first EV will be followed up with battery-electric versions of the Giulia sedan and the Stelvio SUV.