Images surfaced online purportedly showing the new SUV
Firm’s first EV will land at the beginning of 2024 as indirect Mito replacement twinned with Jeep Avenger
Images have surfaced online purportedly showing Alfa Romeo’s small electric SUV ahead of its arrival at the beginning of 2024 as the entry point into the firm’s new-era line-up.
Serving as an indirect replacement for the Mito supermini, it was originally known as the Brennero but is now confirmed to take another name into showrooms, the new crossover will sit underneath the Tonale crossover, and be based on the same e-CMP platform as the Jeep Avenger, Peugeot e-2008 and Fiat 500e.
Alfa Romeo declined to comment on the unofficial images, which were shared on Instagram.
Due to measure around 4.1 metres long and 1.8 metres wide, it will be the smallest Alfa Romeo model since the Mito bowed out in 2019 – and the firm has hinted it will remain the smallest car in the range because of dwindling demand for upmarket superminis.
Alfa Romeo’s head of products Daniel Guzzafame said: “The Mito will not be replaced as it was, but it will for sure be indirectly replaced by the B-segment SUV.
He added: “The premium B-segment doesn’t exist, and around the world we need to fill it. With an infinite amount of money, resources, time? Fantastic, I’ll do everything. But without that I need to rationalise; I need to pick the segments that are actually relevant for the base customers in the premium segments.
“We considered a lot. We needed to decide whether to go two doors, four doors, so we made a decision and the Mito will not be replaced as it was. But we will see. All of the world is evolving, small cars are becoming more important again.”
Alfa’s baby SUV – set to be priced at around £35,000 – will arrive in line with the firm’s goal of attracting new buyers such as families and females, as it looks to move away from being seen as just a “sporty brand” favoured by middle-aged men.
The as-yet-unnamed model will match its Jeep sibling with a range of around 250 miles from a 54kWh battery, which will supply power to a 154bhp, 192lb ft single electric motor.
The crossover will follow its Jeep and Peugeot platform-mates in being offered also with mild-hybrid petrol engines, although it is not yet confirmed if this will be the case in the UK. Either way, it will be offered solely as an electric model when the brand phases out combustion from 2027.
Guzzafame has driven a pre-production prototype, and gave Autocar his impressions: “Fantastic. I love it. It’s unique. There is not another electric car on the market that drives that way. It’s precision, it’s what Alfa Romeo is known for.”
As for its design, it has retained its V-shaped front grille, with a bonnet and striking new headlamp design similar to that of the recently-revealed 33 Stradale halo car. Other defining features include a bluff ‘coda tronca’ rear end, short overhangs at each end and a ‘bold stance’ – as per details earlier shared with Autocar about the future of Alfa Romeo.
Inside, the leaked images show a digital dashboard and instrument cluster similar to that seen on existing Alfa Romeos, with a central readout showing how much of the car’s power is going to each wheel.
