Alfa Romeo Milano EV unveiled: Italian brand’s debut electric car is here and will cost around £34k

Alfa Romeo has unveiled the new Milano: a sporty, compact car that it hopes will attract a fresh and greener generation of Alfisti fans.

That’s because it is the first fully electric model from the Turin brand.

Aiming to bring Alfa Romeo’s sportiness to the compact SUV segment – ​​the largest European market today – the Milano offers Italian looks and the promise of an exhilarating driving experience, albeit in near silence.

It will be available in the UK from this summer and there is also a hybrid version of the car available for those not yet ready to make the full leap to electrification.

In recent years, Alfa fans have complained about the brand’s absence in the smaller segment.

But for 2024 the bosses have come up with a completely new compact car.

Named after the northern Italian city – where Alfa Romeo was founded in 1910 – the Milano should fill a hole in the devoted hearts of fans of small Alfas like the Mito, Giulietta and earlier 146 and 147 hatchbacks.

In fact, it’s been six years since Alfa offered a car in this segment, following the demise of the Mito after fairly paltry sales.

In terms of rivals, the Milano is similar in size to the Volvo EX30: 4.17 meters long, 1.78 meters wide and 1.5 meters high, and it shares the same battery as the Abarth 600e and Jeep Avenger – both Fiat and Jeep are also owned by the parent company Stellantis.

As the first battery electric vehicle (BEV) in the manufacturer’s line-up, it still has something to prove, and Alfa has promised it will ‘deliver the best driving dynamics in its class’.

The ‘Elettrica’ version will be available in two power options: the 156hp launch edition or a 240hp ‘Veloce’ performance model.

Riders can expect the 54 kWh battery to provide a range of up to 400 km, which should increase to 366 km when riding around town on the city bike. Charging from 10 to 80 percent with a 100 kW fast charger takes less than 30 minutes.

But Alfa Romeo is not aiming for huge driving distances on a single charge, like the longest-range electric cars on sale in Britain.

Instead, the car would focus on what it is traditionally known for best: driving sensation.

The crossover has the most direct steering in its segment, which Alfa says will deliver extremely precise driving behavior and exceptional road holding.

Lower sports suspension, front and rear stabilizer bars to improve grip in fast corners, as well as an advanced braking system and high-performance 20-inch tires promise ‘pure, recognizable Alfa Romeo sportiness’.

Alfa’s DNA system allows you to switch between ‘Natural’ everyday use and ‘Advanced Efficiency’ maximum energy consumption.

Don’t panic: you can buy one with a gasoline engine

While the Stellantis-owned brand is setting its first EV mark, there will also be a hybrid model with a 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbo.

The UK market won’t get the all-wheel drive version, but it may get a front-wheel drive version.

The look is on-brand with Italian flair and heritage, combined with the level of functionality expected from a crossover.

The small, stylized proportions feature classic Alfa limited overhangs, muscular wheel arches, the iconic ‘kamm tail’ (from the legendary Giulia TZ sports car) and 3+3 adaptive Full LED Matrix headlights.

The interior of the Milano is ‘driver-focused for an authentic and engaging driving experience’. The sporty theme continues, with Alfa implementing its historic ‘Cannocchiale’ design with the instrument cluster featuring a 10.25-inch digital driving screen.

In terms of new car technology, a 10.25-inch customizable widget touch screen is located in the center of the dashboard, and each driver can create their own home page for easy intuitive use.

A nice detail is the shape of the ventilation openings with a four-leaf clover, the symbol of Alfa Romeo’s sportiness.

While the Milano aims to be the sportiest crossover in its class, it also prioritizes functionality and convenience.

The boot, with a loading capacity of 400 litres, is the largest of any electric car in its class and the Milano comes with driver assistance including 360-degree parking sensors, a 180-degree reversing camera and semi-autonomous parking.

For easy charging, the Milano comes with ‘EV Routing’ to navigate the driver to their charging needs, with real-time monitoring of traffic information, battery and driving style to reduce range anxiety.

Orders open in early summer and prices are yet to be confirmed, but Reuters reports that the EV Milano will cost around £33,785 (39,500 euros) and the hybrid from around £25,574.