Remember the MiTo subcompact hatchback? Based on the GM Fiat Small platform, the supermini was discontinued in 2018 with no successor in sight. Six years later, Stellantis-owned Alfa Romeo has finally launched a replacement in the form of the Milano. Despite being Alfa Romeo's first electric vehicle, this crossover will offend a few peeps.
First and foremost, Milano used to be America's way of calling the 75 sedan. Secondly, the Milano isn't made in the regional capital of Lombardy. It comes from Tychy in Poland, where it's joined by e-CMP2 platform siblings Fiat 600 and Jeep Avenger. The most polarizing detail is the textured plastic shield grille, which depicts either the Alfa Romeo script or the Biscione man-eating snake and the red cross of Milan.
It's hard to believe that Alfa Romeo's team of designers produced a VinFast-like front end. On the styling front, one could also criticize the Renault-esque headlights. Even the rear end is a bit weird for an Alfa Romeo, although it pales in comparison to the monstrosity that is the crossover's front end.
In any case, does the newcomer have any merits? Of course, it does, beginning with its exterior dimensions. At 4.17 meters long, it has a Fiat 600-like footprint, meaning that it's a few centimeters up on the Jeep Avenger and technically similar Opel Mokka. However, the Peugeot 2008 is roomier still, for it measures just over 4.3 meters in length.
Given the slowdown in demand for electric vehicles, Alfa Romeo didn't make the mistake of engineering the Milano with electric powertrains only. Prospective customers are presented with a 48-volt mild hybrid built around Groupe PSA's 1.2-liter turbo three-cylinder engine, as well as two electric setups. The mild hybrid puts out 134 horsepower, boasts a dual-clutch transmission, and is designated Milano Ibrida.
Photo: Alfa Romeo
The Milano Elettrica offers 154 horsepower, whereas Milano Elettrica Veloce levels up to 237 horsepower. In both cases, a single motor drives the front wheels. There is no dual-motor option to speak of, which – in my humble opinion – is completely pointless in a B-segment electric vehicle that was not designed to conquer Hell's Revenge in Moab.
Be that as it may, and this comes as a surprise, Milano Ibrida can be had with all-wheel drive. In Q4 flavor, the Milano Ibrida gains a rear-axle drive unit. The front-wheel-drive Milano Ibrida features an electric motor in the dual-clutch transmission. Alfa Romeo didn't offer any more details on the Q4 model, but did mention that it's due at a later date.
For the Milano Elettrica, the Milanese automaker claims more than 410 kilometers in the Italian press release, whereas the British version lists up to 255 miles of driving range. The math does check out, and from a 54-kWh battery pack, that kind of range is more than adequate for urban driving. In the WLTP, the urban cycle is listed as being over 590 kilometers in the Italian press release or up to 355 miles in the British version (attached just below).
Alfa Romeo says that both Elettrica and Elettrica Veloce can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in half an hour at DC fast chargers at 100 kilowatts. The cockpit is exactly as expected from a car with mild-hybrid and battery-electric powertrain choices. Two screens dominate the dash, with the digital instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment display both measuring 10.25 inches. The biggest surprise, however, is that customers are presented with physical controls for the HVAC system.
Not meant for North America, the second coming of the Milano starts at €29,900 for both the hybrid and electric versions. At current exchange rates, that means 32,150 bucks. The Italian order book for the much pricier Milano Speciale Elettrica and Milano Speciale Ibrida will open tomorrow, April 11.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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