Alfa Romeo's Junior Elettrica criticized for controversial design

Alfa Romeo has introduced its first all-electric car, the Junior Elettrica. Priced at over £30,000, the car has some attractive features but also a significant flaw that some may not overlook. The Junior Elettrica is a compact vehicle with a stylish design. It includes 18-inch alloy wheels and unique interior touches, such as vertical red stripes on the seats. The car features a central 10.25-inch screen that is tilted towards the driver, giving it a retro look. It also has distinctive styling elements reminiscent of classic Alfa Romeo models. However, the car shares its base components with several other models under the Stellantis umbrella, such as the Peugeot e-2008 and the Fiat 600e. This means they all have similar performance and comfort features, with a real-world range of about 200 miles. The performance-focused "Veloce" version is available at a higher price point but is still viewed as a niche option. Despite its overall design appeal, the Junior Elettrica suffers from an unfortunate grille design. The grille, intended to showcase the Alfa Romeo badge, is rendered in matte black, which many find unappealing. This design choice has drawn criticism, overshadowing the car's many positive aspects. The journey to launch was not without controversy, as the Italian government raised issues with the car's original name, Milano, due to its production location in Poland. This has sparked some discussions about the car's origins and identity. Ultimately, while the Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica has much to offer, its front-end design may leave a lasting, negative impression for some buyers.