Mini SUV hits the market in summer 2024: Alfa’s first electric car is called Milano

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No one would have expected this: when Alfa Romeo introduces the latest model in its portfolio in April 2024, its name will be Milano, not Brennero (after the Brenner Pass), as has been repeatedly claimed! This means that Stellantis Group’s traditional sports brand has once again abandoned the path of naming its SUVs after the switch to Alpine, as it did with the Stelvio and Tonale. The Milano isn’t expected to be a sport utility vehicle, which is short for SUV, but it is a sport city vehicle, according to the press release. A car for the city, using the technology of its siblings Jeep Avenger and Fiat 600. Milano is not supposed to be taller than 4.20 metres.

We’re going back to segment B

The name Alfa refers to its origins: the brand was founded in the Lombard capital of Milan and every car was produced until 1972, when the legendary Alfasud was launched. With the Milano, Alfa is also returning to the high-volume B segment, where Italians were represented by MiTo, short for Milano Torino, until 2018. The design will remain secret until April. However, we assume that the Milano will be visually based on the two already existing Alfa SUVs, Tonale and Stelvio. This is confirmed by the images that were recently leaked to the internet, showing the internal details of the new compact model, such as the digital cockpit.

At least 156 hp

Little is known about the technology yet. What is certain is that the Milan will be the first Alfa to be offered to dealers as a fully electric vehicle. Looking at sister brands Fiat and Jeep, the mini SUV in the basic E version is expected to produce at least 156 hp (115 kW) and have a range of approximately 400 kilometers thanks to the 54 kWh battery placed under the body. However, an all-wheel-drive performance version will also be offered when it launches in summer 2024, and this version will be significantly more powerful than its two corporate siblings. There is also speculation about a particularly sporty Quadrifoglio Verde version.

Also as a mild hybrid

What is certain is that the Alfa Milano will be available not only with electric drive, but also with mild hybrid drive. It is said that the 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine, supported by an electric motor, will have a system output of 136 horsepower. Jeep Avenger, which is offered with a mild hybrid option as well as the E version, has only 100 horsepower. “We must be sharp in our positioning, we must be sporty and Italian,” said Alfa CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato, explaining the possible differentiation from other Stellantis brands to the German “Automobile, Motor and Sport” brand. “When I touch and feel the tool, it needs to be premium but also more accessible to our customers.”

This brings us to the price of the Alfa Milano. Here, too, we reference the two platform siblings, the Fiat 600e and the Jeep Avenger, which start at around 38,000 francs and just under 40,000 francs, respectively. The electric Milano will likely be a few thousand francs more expensive, possibly starting around 45,000 francs. For the mild hybrid version, we estimate a price starting from 35,000 francs.

Source: Blick