This Milano will incidentally also be Alfa Romeo’s first ever EV, though with mild-hybrid powertrains available too.
The last time Alfa Romeo called one of its models a Milano was with the North American market 75 sedan, which could be specced with the Italian automaker’s hallowed 3.0-litre Busso V6. But the chances of this new namesake successor roaring to that same heights is unfortunately to be rather slim, especially considering that the majority of the examples of this compact crossover will all but likely be powered purely from the plug instead.
Yes, this newly-revealed Milano is to be Alfa Romeo’s first (mass-market) EV. Though funnily enough, much like the automaker’s premiere foray into the all-electric space — which came in the rather fancy form of its flagship 33 Stradale supercar — this compact crossover could also be had with a range of 48 V mild-hybrid powertrains as well.
Two fully electric versions of this compact crossover will be available from its sole single motor and a 54 kWh battery configuration. Power and range figures in its standard Ellettrica form are 154 hp and 420 km (on the WLTP test cycle) respectively, while the hot Ellettrica Veloce trim packs 237 hp, though Alfa Romeo has yet to reveal what the trade-off for range is yet. Both EV trims are nevertheless capable in supporting DC fast charging of up to 100 kW, for a claimed 10-80% charge in 30 minutes.
As for the 48 V mild-hybrid Ibrida variant meanwhile, the Milano follows on from its Stellantis CMP2 stablemates (ala Jeep Avenger, Opel Mokka, Peugeot 2008 etc.) in packing a familiar 1.2-litre petrol three-pot and integrated starter generator combo. Combined power is currently rated at 136 hp, with it being sent to either just the front or all four wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Touching on what sits on those wheels now, Alfa Romeo has stated for the Milano to usher in a new era of design for the automaker. Though one has to wonder whether that gaping lower grille and new scudetto front grille — covered with company’s iconic logo cut into it, mesh with the classic Alfa Romeo script on it — is a face that will tug at the heartstrings of buyers like other Alfa Romeos of the past, or will they instead just think Megane when staring at the face of this compact crossover.
Moving further on rearwards, the Milano’s profile is highlighted by a tall belt line and wide fenders on either end of its short overhangs, with it then finished off with a truncated tail that Alfa Romeo touts to be inspired by the Giulia TZ. 18-inch wheels are to be the norm on the plainer flavours of this compact crossover, while 20-inch alternatives on performance tyres are there to hide the bigger brakes and Torsen mechanical self-locking differential that are standard with the hot Ellettrica Veloce variant.
Standard too on this aforementioned sporty variant is supposedly more direct steering, a 25 mm drop in ride height compared to other Milano models, as well as stiffer front and rear anti-roll bars. Alfa Romeo asserts that these additions on see this hot variant will see it deliver class-leading driving dynamics akin to the discontinued Giulietta and MiTo hatchbacks, for which this compact crossover is actually conceived to succeed.
Turning towards its cabin, the Milano’s central 10.25-inch display is to be complemented with Cannocchiale telescope digital instrument cluster and optional Sabelt seats upholstered in Alcantara for the Ellettrica Veloce variant. Alfa Romeo currently boasts for this compact crossover to feature the largest trunk in its class at 400 litres, with this new model also packing in Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities and a 360-degree parking camera system.
This new Milano will be priced starting from under €30,000 (RM 150,000), with leasing options beginning at under €200 (RM 1,000) per month across all European markets. Alfa Romeo currently quotes for this compact crossover to be an Old Continent exclusive thus far, but there could just be a distinct possibility it to make its way over here sometime in the near future too, if Stellantis were to be true to their recent word in planning on resurrecting this Italian automaker over here that is.
