Alfa Romeo Milano: Can This Lil' Italian Really Set Your Heart Aflame?
Alfa Romeo, those masters of passionate Italian machinery, have finally thrown their hat into the small electric car ring with the Milano. Now, before your eyes glaze over with visions of another generic crossover, let me assure you, this one's got a trick or two up its sleeve.
First, the looks. While it does share its underpinnings with some, let's say, less-than-thrilling offerings from its Stellantis cousins (Jeep Avenger, I'm looking at you), the Milano manages to stand out. Squint a little, and you might catch a hint of the legendary Alfa SZ in those headlights. There's a healthy dose of sporty aggression thanks to those swollen wheel arches and that cheeky upturned tail. It won't be mistaken for a Stelvio, but hey, it's got character.
Now, let's get under the hood, or whatever the electric equivalent of that is. Alfa's offering a trifecta of powertrains to tempt (or perhaps confuse) potential buyers. The entry-level "Elettrica" gets a garden-variety electric setup – a nearly 155-horsepower (114 kW) motor that'll whisk you about with adequate briskness. The 54 kWh battery is good for up to 255 miles (410 km) of range – enough to soothe those nagging fears of running out of juice mid-journey. Think of it as the sensible, responsible Alfa. If that even exists.
But, fear not, adrenaline junkies! For those craving a hit of that classic Alfa spirit, there's the Veloce. That one packs a hefty 240-horsepower (176kW) punch. Sounds familiar? That's because it shares many gubbins with the Abarth-fettled version of the Fiat 600e. It also gets a Torsen mechanical limited-slip differential, a lightning-fast steering rack, serious rubber, and a lowered suspension. Forget the groceries; this little Alfa is ready to play.
And then there's the "Ibrida." It's the obligatory mild hybrid, combining a wheezy three-cylinder with an electric motor for… well, let's call it a spirited 134 horsepower (99kW) and the illusion of eco-friendliness. It's like ordering a Diet Coke with that supersized pizza—you know it's not fooling anyone.
On the inside, the Milano is an interesting mix of modern tech and classic Alfa touches. Those twin 10.25-inch screens dominating the dash are pretty standard fare these days, but at least Alfa's tried to dress them up with some Italian flair. It's still a far cry from the gloriously analog dials of Alfas past, but hey, progress waits for no man. The good news is that the trunk can fit a surprising 400 liters of luggage. Who knew a tiny Alfa could be so practical?
And now, the question everyone's asking – how much will this slice of Italian eccentricity cost you? Alfa is teasing that we should expect the basic Elettrica to hover around the €30,000 mark in Europe (just over $32,000), with the spicy Veloce nudging towards €40,000 or more (nearly $43,000). As for the Ibrida, let's just say it probably won't be worth the premium over a similarly equipped Fiat 600. Will the new electric Alfa make it to the US? Unlikely, but it'll be available in 28 countries, with deliveries starting pretty soon. That's hardly a conciliation for American customers. Still, since the little Fiat 500e is already sold out in North America, I wouldn't put it past the accountants from Stellantis that they will try and bring this little Italian gem across the pond.
So, the verdict? Well, let's be real. The Milano ain't gonna bring back the glory days of screaming Busso V6s and impossibly gorgeous coupes - those days are truly gone. But it might, just might, inject a little bit of much-needed passion into the overcrowded world of electric crossovers. Whether it's enough to convert the skeptics or tempt die-hard Alfisti remains to be seen. But one thing's for sure – it's gonna be a heck of a lot more interesting than a Nissan Leaf. And that, in my book, is a win. Plus, I always had a soft spot for Alfas.
