Opinion: Alfa Romeo Milano (2024) – top or flop

The new Alfa Romeo Milano* in a hurry

• Alfa Romeo’s first electric car
• It is also available as a hybrid and all-wheel drive
• E variant with a range of 410 km**
• Focus on design
• Market launch in autumn 2024
• Base price (Elettrica) from around 39,000 euros

*(Alfa Romeo Milano Hybrid (WLTP), combined fuel consumption: 5.2 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 117 g/km; CO2 class: D)²

**(Alfa Romeo Milano Elettrica (WLTP), combined energy consumption: 15.6-15.0 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km; CO2 class: A)²

An Alfa which is actually a Jeep, which is actually an Opel, which is actually a Peugeot, which is actually a Citroën

The idea occurred to us during the live presentation of the new Alfa Romeo Milano in, of course, Milan: the front end design seemed familiar to us from somewhere. After some thought, we couldn’t think of a comparison with the old Alfa Romeo. Instead, it reminded us of Renault Captur’s twin – Mitsubishi ASX. It could also be because all the cars were presented in the same color scheme: red body, black roof. Then you turn the Alfa Scudetto grill and Mitsubishi is ready, which, by the way, has been on the market since March 2023.

In profile, some resemblance to the new Lancia Ypsilon cannot be denied. There will be a comparable blue finish in the Alfa range. But who is surprised that the designers and engineers at a multi-product company like Stellantis will eventually be on the line? What looks like a hundredth derivative on the CMP modular system shares key features with Jeep, which is actually Opel, which is actually Peugeot, which is actually Citroen. So can the Turin company be blamed for the fact that the new entry into the world of Alfa Romeo looks the way it does? Probably not.

The rise of Stellantis to become the most profitable car manufacturer in Europe

Because the corporate policy is made somewhere else entirely: in the management levels that see euro and dollar signs, but think less and less about emotions, passion and driving pleasure. The result? Stellantis has now become the most profitable car manufacturer in Europe. It is not just Volkswagen that is surprised. Mundus vult decipi – the world wants to be deceived, so it must be deceived. The ancient Romans already knew this, and therefore it is not surprising that customers do not seem to care where the desired product comes from and what technology is used. The main thing is that the right brand logo is placed on the hood, and the marketing department spreads the right song and the right feeling for the car on social media.

What is Alfa Romeo Milano capable of? The B-segment SUV marks Alfa’s entry into the world and is the Italian’s first electric car, but it is also offered with an electrified combustion engine. First of all, it is worth mentioning the top variant called Alfa Romeo Milano Elettrica Veloce, which has a front-wheel drive 176 kW/240 hp and anticipates the technology of the upcoming Abarth 600e (car not yet sold, negotiations pending. )². This could also mean that the Milano is based on a more developed variant of the Common System Performance (CMP) from the Stellantis Group and could use a special locking differential on the front axle. Important point: Like the “standard” electric version (115 kW/156 hp) of the Milano, the Veloce also relies on a battery of only 54 kWh. The WLTP range under ideal conditions is around 410 km for the 115 kW version. Recharging takes place with a maximum of 100 kW DC from 10 to 80 percent should take about 30 minutes.

Alfa Romeo Milano Q4 comes with Jeep technology

Alfa’s entry into the world of entry-level, however, is with a three-cylinder 100/136 kW hybrid with the additional name “Ibrida”. The turbo engine is supported by a 21 kW electric motor, which is connected to a six-speed dual clutch transmission. Although not yet presented, there may also be a milder base petrol engine with a manual transmission for certain markets. On the other hand, the all-wheel drive Q4 variant of the Milano has already been announced. At the same time, the technology comes, how could it be otherwise, from the sibling of the organization – Jeep Avenger 4xe, which will also debut in 2024 (the car has not yet been sold, negotiations are pending)². To be able to implement the 4×4 drive in the aging CMP modular system, the smooth hybrid cylinder is supplemented by another electric motor on the rear axle.

At the moment there is little to report about the interior design of the classic Alfa Romeo Milano. Alfa itself initially only presented the Veloce variant, with lots of Alcantara, very attractive sports seats and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen that seemed too low. Of course, you look free for analog instruments; Instead there is the familiar digital cockpit, which we already know from Tonale. We also recognized all kinds of controls from Opel and DS, although we have to praise the fact that the trunk of 400 liters on paper offers more capacity than the Avenger (380 liters).

Market launch and pricing

The manufacturer has not revealed exactly when the Alfa Romeo Milano will hit the market, nor has it revealed the price. However, the market launch (orders should be ready) is possible in the second half of 2024, and the price may be in line with the Italian-American sister models Fiat 600 and Jeep Avenger. Added with Alfa Premium fee. We currently assume that the cheapest electric variant of the Milano could start at 39,000 euros and the hybrid variant at around 28,000 euros. The special Alfa Romeo Milano Speciale model offered for market launch, on the other hand, is expected to cost around 45,000 euros; The top variant Elettrica Veloce, which will follow later, can even cost 50,000 euros.

Initial assessment

At first glance, the basic ingredients of the new Alfa Romeo Milano do not seem to be wrong. So they rely on the company’s proven technology and, in addition to the electric car, they also bring real combustion engines and even an all-wheel drive variant to the market. However, opinions differ when it comes to exterior design. It doesn’t seem free enough, it doesn’t seem offensive enough – especially to achieve enough differentiation from other Stellantis products. The oft-repeated comparison with the Mitsubishi ASX (now also in the usual social media channels) also shows some friction along the lines. Hopes remain that the Milano can at least evoke the feel of the old Alfa when driving. (Text: Thomas Vogelhuber | Photo: Manufacturer)