After the Abarth/Fiat 600 duo, the DS 3, the Jeep Avenger, the Opel Mokka and the Peugeot 2008, here is now the Alfa Romeo Milano. The small crossover from Milan shares its technology with the above models from the Stellantis group, and, like those cousins, will be sold as a mild hybrid petrol (Ibrida) and in a purely electric version (Elettrica).
To make a difference with its Stellantis blood brothers, the Alfa Romeo Milano obviously relies on its unique style, but also on its dynamics: its chassis was overhauled by the same team that was previously responsible for the Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA.
Alfa Romeo Milano – Bodywork, design and dimensions.
With a length of 4.17 meters and a height of 1.50 meters, the Alfa Romeo is neither the largest nor the smallest B-segment crossover within the Stellantis family. But it is one of the most striking, with its typical southern flair that incorporates many typical Alfa Romeo features. At the front, in front of the full LED headlights, we see the ‘3+3’ LED daytime running lights of the Tonale, with a completely open bumper underneath, with a vertical air intake on either side.
But the eye-catcher on the nose is the spectacular, triangular ‘radiator grille’. On the electric Veloce models this is a black panel with the traditional ‘Biscione’ cut out; the other versions have a grille with a diamond pattern and the ‘Alfa Romeo’ lettering in retro style. Very successful, although the nose also looks a bit busy. Perhaps that dark C-shaped frame housing the headlights and additional air intakes (and which is quite reminiscent of recent Renaults) was not necessary…
In side view, the short overhangs at the front and rear are striking, while in the Veloce versions the thick wheel arches are filled with twenty-inch wheels whose design is reminiscent of Alfa Romeo’s legendary four-leaf clover. A hint of Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ can be recognized in the pointed rear, while the light blocks also play with that 3+3 theme.
The Milano is always a five-door, although he tries to camouflage this by incorporating the rear door handles into the roof pillars and hiding them behind an Alfa-Romeo logo. In general, we must say that the designers from Milan have delivered a fine job here: the Milano is bursting with personality, and the technical relationship with the other Stellantis cousins is in no way apparent.
Alfa Romeo – interior space and trunk
Despite modest external dimensions, the Alfa Romeo Milano offers a large trunk of 400 liters, with a storage space for the charging cables in the nose in the electric version. The interior mixes luxury with sportiness, with digitization also making an appearance here. Under the two traditional bumps above the instruments lies a 10.25-inch display, and to the right of the steering wheel, on the center console, is an equally large touchscreen that is slightly pointed towards the driver.
The menu structure is made up of widgets that you can easily move, so that each user can create their own homepage, with each function having its own app. In addition, Alfa Romeo was also wise enough to keep analogue buttons for the climate control under the screen. The side ventilation nozzles also have the unique four-leaf clover shape. Sabelt-makelijk sports seats contribute to the sporty atmosphere in the interior.
Alfa Romeo Milano – Technologies
As befits an Alfa Romeo, the Milano emphasizes sportiness, both in its appearance and interior design and in its performance (or at least for the Elettrica Veloce version) – the Alfisti simply wouldn’t have it any other way. On the other hand, an Alfa Romeo in 2024 can no longer ignore driver assistance systems. For example, the Milano has all the technology to enable autonomous driving at level 2, while the all-round parking sensors and the wide-screen reversing camera are supplemented with a semi-autonomous parking function.
In the Elettrica versions, the EV Routing function maps out routes taking into account more than 600,000 charging points along the way. The Alfa Connect Services also allow over-the-air updates, as well as online navigation, live alerts and vehicle control via the My Alfa Connect app. This allows you to consult all kinds of data regarding your car or locate your vehicle via your phone, and in the electric versions you can also control charging and preheating of the interior. The car’s interface also includes a voice assistant, which listens to the command ‘Hey Alfa’ and is equipped with ChatGPT, so you can converse with it more easily.
Alfa Romeo Milano Elettrica – BEV
The emphasis at the unveiling is on the purely electric versions of the Alfa Romeo Milano. Indeed, plural, because the Milano Elettrica is immediately available in two power variants. The entry-level model adopts the drive unit known from the Stellantis cousins with one electric motor of 156 hp and 270 Nm, but in accordance with its sporty blazon, the Alfa Romeo Milano also adds an Elettrica Veloce to the range, with the technology of the Abarth 600e and therefore two engines (and four-wheel drive) and 240 hp.
The battery pack each has a capacity of 54 kWh, which in the front-wheel drive Elettrica should be sufficient for a WLTP driving range of 410 kilometers. The electric Milanos charge on alternating current via an internal three-phase inverter of 11 kW. On direct current they can handle a maximum of 100 kW, which means that it will take half an hour to regenerate 70 percent of the battery level (from 10 to 80 percent).
- Alfa Romeo Milano Elettrica: 1 electric motor – 156 hp – front-wheel drive
- Alfa Romeo Milano Elettrica Veloce: 2 electric motors – 240 hp – four-wheel drive
Alfa Romeo Milano Hybrid – MHEV en 48 V
While the mild hybrid variants adopt the 136 hp drive unit that we now know from numerous models from the Stellantis group, the Alfa Romeo Milano offers the scoop of being able to connect that drive unit to four-wheel drive (albeit only later; initially it is the Ibrida is only available as a front wheel tractor). Electrical assistance is provided by a 28 hp and 55 Nm starter-alternator that is integrated into the DCT gearbox and operates at a voltage of 48 volts. A small battery of 0.9 kWh theoretically makes it possible to drive up to 1 kilometer purely electrically in ideal conditions (and at low speeds).
- Alfa Romeo Milano Ibrida: 1.2-liter turbo three-cylinder – 136 hp – MHEV 48 V – front-wheel drive
- Alfa Romeo Milano Ibrida Q4: 1.2-liter turbo three-cylinder – 136 hp – MHEV 48 V – all-wheel drive
Alfa Romeo Milano – Driving dynamics
The Veloce version is distinguished not only by its beautiful twenty-inch rims, but also by its particularly direct steering (with a ratio of 14.6:1), its sports suspension lowered by 2.5 centimeters, reinforced anti-roll bars and larger front brake discs (380 millimeters). with four-piston calipers. A Torsen differential must provide flawless traction.
The Milano can be equipped with Alfa Romeo’s DNA system, which allows a choice of different driving programs: Dynamic (sporty), Natural (daily compromise) and Advanced Efficiency (economy mode). The hybrid Q4 adds a Q4 driving mode for conditions with reduced grip.
