2008 Alfa Romeo Junior preview
January 17, 2008 by Matt Brogan
Based on FIAT Punto underpinnings, the Alfa Romeo Junior is set for arrival late this year bringing an affordable, fresh and sexy model to the Alfa line up.
Pegged to sit under the 147 in both price and size, Junior is aimed to rival the likes of BMW’s sucessful Mini.
Powered by a choice of two diesel and three petrol engines, the Junior will have power ratings from 88 through to 147kW in standard form. An AWD 184kW T-Jet model is also rumoured to follow the initial line-up, possibly in to early 2009.
With awesome looks not too disimilar of the 8C Competitzione, the Junior name has not yet been confirmed and is currently the subject of a competition running out of the UK.
Other details and pricing are as yet unconfirmed, but I’m sure you’ll agree that anything this good looking is worth a little suspense.
Print it: 
The back I could live with, but the front is just blah! It looks like it’s deformed or something, not a look I’d expect from Alfa.
Looks great – but 88kW?? That can’t be for real. We have lawn mowers nowadays with more power than that. Hmmm… the AWD version would however be the only one worth considering from a performance perspective.
^^^ I completely agree, as well, they should have kept the whole front of the car looking like the Brera, that would have been much nicer.
I like it apart from a few niggles:
- the mazda style rear quarter windows.
- handles should be flush with the body
- oversize front fake intake holes are too much
Also, rear indicators and reverse lights anywhere?
Opting for the 147kw AWD version. That would fly, even better if diesel.
That is ugly!!! like Martin said, they should’ve kept the Brera theme! But it sounds like an alright city car…
I reckon this thing looks greats. Excellent shape to the rear quarters. The headlights could be a little more muscular but us guys aren’t the target audience for an economical city car.
And ImportJap, this is going to be a cheaper small car, making flush door handles might be a bit cost prohibitive. The indicators will be in the centre of the brake lights, and the reverse light will be placed in the air duct in the bumper.
oh wow, i really reeeeeeeeeeally like this car.
oh jesus i just noticed…. is “junior” its official name?
maybe i don’t like it as much any more
Ugly and it will be built badly expect poor reliability
This is a great-looking car. Alfa have been doing a great job with their styling of late. The rear to me is “ok”, but I love the front. Actually the rear is growing on me the more I look at it.
I reckon the rumoured 184kW turbo would be awesome, but honestly a 147kW engine in a small car would be pretty damned sweet so long as the chassis is up to it.
But great-handling FWD chassis are not unheard of these days, so hopefully that’s a no-brainer.
These are the sorts of cars I think more and more people want. Affordable but fun cars.
Bring back the Gemini! ;)
sadly, this is the best looking alfa i have looked at…
Always Literally Falling Apart
Rust Or Mechanical Expiry Obligatory
but they are getting better, and this one looks cool
personally i think it look like a squashed 8C (from the front anyway). Personally i think it should have the name Alfetta (like of old days) which litterly translates into little.
NOW Alfa has one of the best looking cars in the world (Brera) and one of the worst looking cars,at the same time with this one….. the Alfa designers could always get work at Subaru if they continue down this track!!!
As always with alfa, the image far outweighs the engineering and finish! Must admit though, i reckon the 8C is stunning as is the Brera. I also really like the look of the 166. Saw a black one this arvo with hot set of wheels, and it looked the business.
Gorgeous..Will be looking at one for my next set of wheels if it looks as good as that.
I second the call to bring back the Gemini. And I don’t mean the R-series Geminis, they were pieces of shit.
Call this thing the Alfetta and give it RWD as standard (engines 88kW to 147kW) and offer a hot AWD one (up to 180kW) and they would have a winner.
Oh, and keep the price a bit lower. It would steal lots of sales from the 1-series coupe.
This picture isnt final, its actually an old render. i dont think the front looks exactly like that. Alfa quality has been excellent, even better than VW ever since they got the BMW guys over. I always go for the GTA alfas anyway.
No way can that be the final product. Looking at the front end, it just looks out of proportion, with bits bulging here and there.