Alfa Romeo Milano: how the SUV is made, engine, design and price

Museum of Stories. But it is something else entirely. They called him Milano, however he is French by origin and Polish by birth. In its top version it has Abarth mechanics, but there is no scorpion in front of it. Broad and inevitable nationalism. Italian elements are present in the development, modification and technical customization. And in design. A very different style than others Alfa Romeo, even these current ones. It targets a different, new and young audience. Which, however, leaves us in doubt.

Alfa Romeo Milano: where it is produced

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What is Alfa Romeo Milano? It is a very compact SUV, once called a B-segment SUV measurements (length 417 cm, width 178 cm, height 150 cm), we can define it as “big B”. A new segment of the market for this brand, although dimensions in the area of ​​four meters are not new, considering the example of the Mito sedan (406 cm). It is built on two old PSA platforms (Peugeot-Citroën group before the merger with Fca): Cmp for the hybrid version and e-Cmp for the electric one. These are platforms defined as “multi-energy”, that is, capable of hosting thermal, hybrid or electric engines. A strategy common to all Stellantis small cars, but a first for Alfa Romeo. Milan has very close relatives, no Jeep Avenger and current Fiat 600, are all built on the same architecture with the same hardware and engine. And produced in one place, so Tychy factory inside Poland.

Alfa Romeo Milano: hybrid engine

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The Milano series will start from the engine a little hybrid, shared by the Avenger and the 600. Its name is Hybrid Vgt, an English acronym referring to the differential turbo geometry architecture. The gasoline engine is a three-cylinder 1.2 Miller cycle engine, more efficient than a conventional engine (whose operation is defined as the “Otto cycle”), so it is particularly suitable for a hybrid system, where the lost power is compensated by electricity. The electric unit has 21 kW/29 hp and is connected to a 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox, both connected to an inverter. This group is powered by 48 volt mains. The collective power is 136 horses. The system allows you to travel in the city in electric mode for more than 50% of the time. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive Q4. The combination is the only one to have, for 4×4, a special driving mode for low surfaces.

Alfa Romeo Milano electric

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There will be two. The entry-level version of the electric Alfa Romeo Milano will have a power of 156 HP. The engine is powered by a battery with a capacity of 54 kWh. The declared average autonomy is 410 km in the WLTP combined cycle, while in the urban cycle it is 590 km. By connecting the car to a fast charging station with a power of 100 kW, it is possible to recover the battery from 10 to 80% in 30 minutes. It will be available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive Q4. And then there’s the sports car.

Alfa Romeo Milano Veloce: top of the range

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At the top of the list we find the electric Alfa Romeo Milano Veloce. Derived from the corresponding Fiat 600 Abarth and developed (like the rest of the range) by the same team that brought the incredible Giulia Gta in 2020; power increases to 240 horses. We also get a low-slip Torsen mechanical locking differential, a 25 mm lower ride height, sport-tuned anti-roll bars front and rear, 380 mm front disc brakes with four-piston calipers, 20 inch wheels. Special for high performance electric vehicles.

Alfa Romeo Milano design

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At first glance, confusion. The Milano does not fit into the Alfa Romeo rules as we are used to knowing them, even in recent times, for example with the Tonale. And perhaps this is precisely the intention, given the declared goal of capturing new and younger audiences. The look created by the Alfa Romeo Fashion Center directed by Alejandro Mesonero is unique among everything. Starting with the headlights. The three LED elements on the base of the bonnet will look quite “alfistic”, however, the lower connection with the “mustache” created by the other two LEDs leads to areas that are unknown to the brand but similar to the solutions seen on many SUVs from other manufacturers. . Even the trilobe (the connection between the shield and the lower air intake to create three different elements, a characteristic solution for Alfa Romeos for almost ninety years) almost lost its meaning: the air intake is separated by a small element of black color that becomes. invisible from a distance, watering under the traditional lower division.

Biscione in the championship

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And then the championship. For the first time it includes an additional special design: the Biscione borrowed from the Viscontis, the symbol of the city of Milan and Alfa Romeo itself. You can’t get more Milanese than that. But it’s a damned daring solution. There are two versions: the other, this traditional one, has a shield with a classic grille on which the Alfa Romeo text is written in the same style as the pre-war cars. In profile you can see the circular design: after abandoning the five-hole “dial” of the Tonale (born in 1967 at 33 Stradale), we now find the Quadrifoglio theme. With a capital letter Q, there is no point in explaining its meaning. Nervous lines but common to many other SUVs. 156 back style handle, Biscione in relief next to it and then a cut tail. The house emphasizes the similarity of these details with Zagato’s Giulia TZ from 1962. But it requires a lot of thinking effort. The tail end of the Milano, itself, is more than lovely. But Alpha? Maybe.

Interior of Milan

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The passenger compartment is more traditional, where first of all the space stands, for the passenger and in the boot which in the electric version reaches 400 liters, the maximum volume of the unit. “Altitude” has been respected in the design of the dashboard, where the famous “telescopes” (ie two different circular dials) are not missing. A new biscione in the center of the air vents, whose shape resembles a four-leaf clover. There is a certain general taste, upholstery alternating leather and synthetic material is quite elegant. Digital instruments, two generously sized screens. Depending on the trim level, you’ll see Sabelt sport seats.

Alfa Romeo Milano Speciale, clear instructions and prices

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The Milano Speciale is a launch version, already configurable and available with a hybrid version and a 156 HP electric version. It includes several cosmetic details. The standard range is divided into three trim levels: Techno, Premium and Sport. THE price The hybrid list price starts from 29,900 euros. Electric starts from 39,500 euros.