Book a Norwich test drive in Alfa Romeo's first EV

The entry-level Junior 'Elettrica 156', gets a 154bhp motor energised by 54kWh battery, delivering range in this case rated at up to 255 miles. There's the brand's usual DNA driving mode system (the letters standing for 'Dynamic', 'Natural' and 'Advanced efficiency' settings). And the platform all Juniors are based on is based around a wider track than you'd see it use with another equivalent Stellantis brand model - for more engaging handling.

The sportier Junior 'Elettrica Veloce' variant uses the same battery as the base model, but gets a front-mounted motor producing the equivalent of 278hp giving a 0 to 60mph time of just 5.9 seconds.

The Alfa Romeo Junior features lots of the usual brand styling cues (Image: Motorvogue)

This 'Veloce' version gets a bespoke chassis calibration with a Torsen mechanical differential, different front and rear anti-roll bars, a faster steering rack and stiffer suspension that lowers the ride height by 25mm. The 20-inch wheels also have bigger brakes, with 380mm discs at the front.

Just as an Alfa should, the Junior has a bit of pavement presence, its platform allowing for dimensions pretty typical for the kind of compact SUV this is, 4.17m long, 1.5m high and 1.78m wide.

As you'd expect, lots of the usual brand styling cues feature, including C-shaped SZ-inspired ultra-slim '3+3' headlights and, of course, the usual triangular Alfa 'scudetto' shield grille. A cut-off 'coda tronica' tail references the classic Giulia T2 and there are minimal overhangs, strong wheel arches and big 20-inch wheels.

The driver-focused cockpit features a telescopic cowled instrument panel and 'cloverleaf'-style air vents. The screen tech features a pair of 10.25-inch displays, respectively for the instruments and the infotainment. The latter set-up uses the usual tile-based widget arrangement, with cloud navigation and over-the-air updates.

The cockpit features a telescopic cowled instrument panel (Image: Motorvogue) Headroom in the back is better than you might expect given the swept-back roofline. Boot space is fine too, rated at 400-litres, thanks to extra rear overhang length. There's an adjustable height floor and there’s storage for cables beneath the bonnet.

Pricing for the Junior EV starts with the 'Elettrica' model at just £33,895 on the road. Then there’s the Elettrica 156 Speciale at £35,695, more of that shortly. The version many 'Alfisti' customers will want though, is the high performance 'Elettrica Veloce', with its more powerful 278hp motor. One of those was priced from launch at £41,514.47 on the road.

Across the range, Alfa is offering a choice of three optional trim packs. The 'Technology' pack includes matrix-LED headlights, navigation and a powered tailgate with gesture control. The 'Premium' pack gives you an updated interior finish, plus a driver seat with electric adjustment and a massage function. The 'Sport' pack, gives you exterior styling tweaks, plus Sabelt sports seats with alcantara upholstery.

From launch, to fit between the base and 'Veloce' Elettrica variants, the brand is offering the aforementioned, fully-loaded 154bhp 'Elettrica Speciale' limited edition model, which borrows many of the key features from these three packs and includes 18-inch alloy wheels, red paint, unique upholstery, eight-colour ambient lighting, keyless entry and a leather-covered steering wheel.

The Junior's boot has a capacity of 400-litres (Image: Motorvogue) The 54kWh battery (51kWh usable) provides a range of 255 miles for the base 'Elettrica' and 215 miles for the more powerful 'Elettrica Veloce' version. That’s ample for most drivers. The battery can charge at up to 100kW and can recharge from 10-80% in under 30 minutes via a 100kW cable when hooked up to a suitably rapid charger. Just three minutes on such a fast charger would add 80 miles of range and 24 minutes could get the battery from 20 to 80%.

For home use, an 11kW AC charger is also included, allowing for faster three-phase charging, if your house has access to that. Energy efficiency is rated at around 5.0 miles per kWh.

As with other Alfas, depreciation values will be aided by this model's 'NFT' (or 'Non-Fungible Token') technology, which backs up the car's service history (stuff like maintenance records and battery pack condition) in a cloud, out of the vehicle. This means that no one should touch your car without it showing on the NFT record. Alfa claims that this makes it much harder to forge the vehicle's records, which in turn ought to preserve residuals.

The base 'Elettrica' has a range of 255 miles (Image: Motorvogue) Has all this whetted your appetite? The exciting all-new Alfa Romeo Junior is available to test drive at Motorvogue Alfa Romeo Norwich now.

Motorvogue Norwich’s Alfa Romeo brand ambassador, Mark Gooda, said: “It’s great to have the car now with us on site and we really can’t wait for people to test drive the new Junior. 

"It’s absolutely stunning and an Alfa in every way.  Its pricing, coupled with its looks and driving dynamics really set it apart from the direct competitors, and we’re very confident of its success.”

Motorvogue is also offering a £500 contribution towards a home EV charger installation through Free2Move Charge, provided by Octopus Energy.

Once installed, owners can access the Intelligent Octopus Go tariff, designed specifically for electric car drivers to offer 7p/kw any time of the day, plus between 11.30pm and 5.30am, your whole home benefits from the same rate.

To book a test drive (subject to terms and conditions), call 01603 537037.

Motorvogue Alfa Romeo Norwich can be found on Reepham Road, Norwich NR6 5LE.