Alfa Romeo’s first mainstream EV hasn’t had the smoothest of launches. First, it was renamed from Milano to Junior due to a bizarre government issue, and now, the Stellantis-owned brand has republished new power figures for the range-topping Veloce trim. Thankfully, the news is positive, as the automaker originally underestimated its output.
Originally claimed to have 237 hp, Alfa now says the electric crossover produces a healthy 278 hp, a significant 41 hp increase over the initial quote. That means the baby Alfa is nearly as powerful as the gas-powered Giulia and Stelvio. Torque outputs for the Junior Veloce are rated at 254 lb-ft.
A Strange (But Welcome) Mistake
So, how did an automaker like Alfa underestimate its power figures by such a large margin? In a statement, the Italian brand says, “the Alfa Romeo engineering development team has finalized the dynamic development of the project. Tests have shown the output of the electric motor to be 280 hp [metric], in line with the Giulia, Stelvio, and Tonale Veloce models.”
It’s rather strange, and we’re not sure how a company can get the power outputs so wrong, but at least the final estimates are higher. It would have been rather embarrassing if the vehicle was less powerful than initially said. The initial output of 237 hp suggests the Veloce shares its electric drivetrain with the Abarth 600e and the recently revealed Lancia Ypsilon HF. Both of these electric vehicles are under the Stellantis umbrella, and both produce 237 horses.
What About Other Stellantis EVs?
It remains to be seen whether Lancia and Abarth will publish updated figures for the Abarth and Lancia. This is yet to be confirmed, but it would make sense. Then again, there’s a possibility that Alfa – a more premium brand than Lancia and Abarth – increased power somehow to elevate the Junior’s status among its corporate cousins. We’ve reached out to Alfa Romeo USA for additional information.
The Junior Veloce will not be offered in the United States, which means buyers in the market for a compact Alfa will have to opt for the Tonale. There are lots of changes coming to the Alfa lineup. The Quadrifoglio models don’t have much longer to live, and the Stelvio and Giulia will soon make way for their all-electric replacements. Let’s not forget that the Italian brand is expected to launch a Cayenne rival or a compact hatchback in 2027, further expanding its reach into other segments. Hopefully, a dedicated sports car is also in the pipeline.
