Alfa Romeo Milano launched as 237bhp electric SUV

The Alfa Romeo Milano has been unveiled as the first electric car from the famous Italian brand.

Offering up to 237bhp and 250 miles of range, Alfa says the Milano compact SUV is a spiritual successor to the Gulietta and Mito and will ‘profoundly’ change the concept of sportiness in what is Europe’s biggest car segment.

At just over 4m long, the Milano is similar in size to the related Fiat 600e, Jeep Avenger and Vauxhall Mokka but Alfa is positioning it as a far more premium contender with a design that apparently “encompass the uniqueness” of its Made in Italy design language.

There’s no doubting that it’s an Alfa thanks to the bold new take on the brand’s famous shield. This dominates the front of the car, filling the space between the three-zone headlights, with a surround that flows into the pronounced wheelarches and high waistline. At the rear, an upwards swept ‘kamm tail’ is apparently inspired by the Giulia TZ and sits above triple LED tail lights and the Alfa Romeo script.

Based on the same platform that underpins the likes of the Avenger and 600e, as well as the DS3 E-Tense, entry-level versions of the Milano Elletrica use the same 54kWh battery and 154bhp motor as a wealth of Stellantis cars. Alfa says this will give the Milano a range of up to 250 miles, backed up with 100kW DC and 11kW AC charging.

However, the Milano is unusual in getting a more performance-focused version. The Elletrica Veloce uses a 237bhp front-mounted motor which will also eventually appear in the Abarth 600e Scorpionissima. There are no performance figures yet but Alfa says that it will deliver the sportiest drive in its class. The Milano features the most direct steering in the segment, sports suspension and brakes, a wider track, stiffened anti-roll bars and a Torsen mechanical limited slip differential.

Inside, the Milano features a distinctive dashboard with a twin-cowl shape over the instruments and air vents inspired by a four-leaf clover to disguise the hardware shared with other Stellantis models.

All versions of the Milano come with twin 10.25-inch screens, electrically operated driver’s seat with massage, and eight-colour ambient lighting. Three packs will offer additional features such as level 2 driving assistance, adaptive LED headlights, a hands-free powered tailgate or sportier design including Alcantara upholstery.

The Milano will go on sale this year with pricing announced closer to the car’s launch. With the Avenger and DS3 starting at around £35,000, we’d expect the Milano to be in the same ballpark.