Alfa Romeo's compact electric SUV shows its face

Amidst the current deluge of vehicle releases and rumors, the Italian stallion, Alfa Romeo, has thrown its hat into the ring with its upcoming compact SUV. While official images are set to be unveiled in 2024, the internet has given us a sneak peek, thanks to some leaked pictures.

The visuals of this yet-to-be-named SUV - once internally referred to as "Project Kid" - reveal a design that both pays homage to Alfa's heritage and flirts with modern aesthetics. A conspicuous feature is the front Trefoil grille, an unmistakable Alfa signature. Yet, in a somewhat cheeky move, the Alfa Romeo emblem has shifted to the hood, mimicking our German friends at BMW. Those sinister, penetrating headlights? They're still there, but it seems Alfa Romeo couldn’t resist the trend and opted for the split headlight design, now popular among many brands.

The SUV's front speaks of intent with its vigorous bumper and a hint of a secondary grille. This small detail subtly teases that the vehicle might house a traditional gasoline engine or perhaps a hybrid system. Delving into the silhouette, fans will note a striking resemblance to its larger sibling, the Tonale.

A unique source for the images is the digital instrument cluster from which most have emerged. A glimpse of the SUV's rear showcases what one might call the ‘classic’ Alfa Romeo touch - slim taillights paired with a well-crafted tailgate, exuding a high-end aura. However, the real juicy bit from the dashboard is the infographic indicating battery charge.

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Let's address the power under that sleek hood. If we were to play the comparison game, the "Project Kid" shares its platform with the Jeep Avenger. And for those in the know, the Avenger boasts both a combustion-powered model and an electric variant. In this shared platform scenario, Alfa Romeo has a buffet of choices: from a 1.2-liter turbo three-cylinder engine with 155 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque to an EV version with a 248 miles of range on the WLTP cycle.

Benefiting from being a member of the Stellantis group, Alfa Romeo is poised to make use of the STLA Small (e-CMP2) platform, a revamped version of e-CMP. Notably, this foundation is flexible enough to support both front-wheel and all-wheel drive setups, opening many doors for Alfa Romeo.

Earlier this year, rumors circled about the revival of the "Alfetta" badge - but for an electric hatchback. However, given Alfa's move to involve the public in naming their latest creation, it wouldn’t be a surprise if this moniker lands on the new compact SUV. Though, fair warning, traditionalists might raise an eyebrow at the legendary "Alfetta" badge gracing a crossover. But remember, change is the only constant.

This new, and of course electric, SUV is just a prelude. Alfa Romeo is gearing up for an electric surge, with heavyweights like Giulia and Stelvio also preparing to join the electric parade in the foreseeable future.

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