Alfa Romeo will show the Junior Veloce to US dealers and may eventually offer it in select states
Alfa Romeo is considering bringing the Junior EV to the United States.
The brand will show the crossover at US dealerships and could potentially offer the model in select states.
The Euro-spec Junior Veloce has 276 horsepower and a WLTP range of 255 miles.
Alfa Romeo’s lineup is looking pretty sad these days, with the Giulia almost a decade old and the Stelvio not much younger. If that wasn’t bad enough, the Quadrifoglio variants are getting the ax in America.
Worse, the brand’s newest crossover is off to a terrible start. In the second quarter, Alfa Romeo sold just 887 Tonales in the United States, and the year-to-date number of 1,615 units doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
Help could be on the way as Junior can be offered in state. Speaking to Automotive News Europe, Alfa Romeo’s Tiago Guzzafame said “We will be showing the Junior Veloce to our US dealers, asking them if they see potential for a fun little electric hatch in select markets such as California, Florida and other CARB states ».
Although nothing has been decided, starving traders may jump at the chance. That remains to be seen, but the Junior Veloce has a front engine that produces 276 hp (207 kW / 280 PS) and 254 lb-ft (345 Nm) of torque. This allows the crossover to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 5.9 seconds, before reaching a top speed of over 124 mph (200 km/h).
Power is provided by a 54 kWh lithium-ion battery, which provides a WLTP range of 255 miles (410 km). When the battery is low, it can be charged from 10-80% in less than 30 minutes with a 100kW DC fast charger.
In terms of equipment, the Euro-spec model gets LED headlights, sport-tuned suspension and 20-inch wheels wrapped in high-performance rubber. They’re paired with a relatively basic interior with dual 10.25-inch screens and ChatGPT built into the voice recognition system. The model also features Spiga seats with eco-leather and fabric upholstery, as well as 14.1 cubic feet (400 liters) of cargo space. 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 destination charge. If that number pans out, the Junior would barely undercut the Tonale, which starts at $43,845 before a $1,595 destination charge. The model will also face strong competition from the Tesla Model Y, which starts at $44,990 and has a range of 320 miles (515 km).
