ALFA ROMEO JUNIORTiming chain or Belt?

The Alfa Romeo Junior is a subcompact SUV in the B-segment from the Italian brand Alfa Romeo, manufactured by Stellantis Europe. It takes its name from an earlier model of the brand that was sold in the 1960s and 1970s.

It was originally introduced under the name “Milano,” but had to be renamed almost immediately following a complaint from the Italian government about using a name from their country for a vehicle assembled in Tychy, Poland. It is currently the manufacturer’s smallest vehicle and serves as a direct replacement for the MiTo and the Giulietta.

Aesthetically, the design was handled by the Alfa Romeo Centro Stile under the direction of Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos. It stands out as the brand’s first car to offer 100% electric variants, equipped with a 54-kWh battery that provides up to 410 kilometers of range and power outputs ranging from 156 to 280 CV. It is also available with a 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine featuring mild-hybrid (MHEV) technology that delivers 136 CV. It is sold as a five-door SUV. The current version uses the STLA Small (e-CMP2) platform, sharing its architecture with the Peugeot 2008, the Jeep Avenger, the Opel Mokka, and the Fiat 600.

The first version of the current Junior dates back to 2024. It competes primarily with other vehicles in its segment that offer a more premium approach, so there aren’t many of them. Notable competitors include the Audi Q2, the Mini Countryman, the Volvo EX30, and the DS 3 Crossback. There has been one generation so far.