Junior handles the EV transition with aplomb

Alfa Romeo's Elettra retains its marque's defining features, writes Tom Sharpe

- Tom Sharpe

With a 276bhp and six-second acceleration to 62mph, today's compact Alfa Romeo stands up well against brand's flying coupes and saloons of twenty years ago.

The Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica is doing battle in different times, though, and the Italian marque's new addition is a small, family-friendly crossover, its turn of pace delivered courtesy of a front-mounted electric motor.

Prices start at £33,895 for a 158bhp variant. However, the £42,295 Veloce version tested here is range's fastest.

It ushers in 25mm lower suspension and the same Torsen limited-slip differential featured on its Stellantis stablemate, the Abarth 600e.

Alfa Romeo claims this more focused drivetrain the Junior Elettrica best-in-class handling and feels like a very well sorted zero-emissions crossover from the off.