At the invitation ofAlfa Romeoin Italy's Langhe region, to try out the Q4 version of the B-SUV Alfa Romeo Junior. It's a model I'm beginning to know by heart: after static discovery in Milan in April 2024, the Junior Veloce 280 hp test at Balocco and the 24-hour race in Germany with the Junior 156 hpnow comes the Junior 145 hp Q4.
Then, before starting this test, this is the second time I've driven a Stellantis car equipped with the 1.2 L EB2 engine, since I had already tested it on the Lancia Ypsilon Ibrida in 100 hp version. I found this block perfectly suited to the Ypsilon city car. What's more, I'm not going to give yet another presentation of the Junior's interior or exterior design. So I'm going to concentrate on the car's behavior and the benefits of the Q4 solution.
Q4 operation
The Alfa Romeo Junior 145 hp Q4 is therefore a hybrid thermal model, with a 21 kW electric motor at the front, as in the 136 hp version, and another 21 kW at the rear. Both motors come from emotors, more precisely from the M2 eRAD model. All this is coupled to the six-speed eDCT transmission.
As you'll have gathered, this is not a true all-wheel drive system, as we've seen on some previous Alfa Romeo models (or those of other carmakers). Instead, it's a rear-mounted electric motor that is only activated under certain conditions, depending on the driving mode:
- A / N : Q4 which activates automatically in the event of loss of grip.
- D : Q4 activated between 0 and 40 km/h, then from 40 to 90 km/h priority is given to efficiency.
- Q4 : Q4 always active up to 90 km/h.
Q4 test
In concrete terms, I was able to test this Junior Q4 in three driving conditions: dirt roads, winding roads and roads with longer bends. As far as dirt roads are concerned, I have to admit that I'm no off-road expert. I don't think this system can compete with a true 4×4 transmission, where all four wheels benefit from separate driveability, but the Junior Q4 proved particularly reassuring and dynamic on the various routes on offer. Perhaps it would have been interesting to run the same course without Q4, then with Q4, to feel the difference. In any case, on the display behind the steering wheel, Q4 activation is clearly indicated, and I found grip to be good in these loose conditions.
Whether on dirt roads in the forest or in the countryside, and at different speeds, the Junior Q4, as you can see from the videos, has been put through its paces!
On winding roads, the Q4 also proves its worth, because it is activated as soon as a loss of rear-wheel grip is detected. Alfa Romeo claims that this system reduces oversteer by 30 %. As a result, even when not driving "sporty", the Q4 is reassuring when cornering too quickly or in poor weather conditions. I'm sorry I wasn't able to test it on snow, as shown in the photos in the press release.
Efficient but... where's the fun in driving?
So this Q4 system works, it's efficient and reassuring, but... it still left me a little disappointed. Indeed, having tested the 100hp 1.2 L EB2 on the Lancia Ypsilon, where it was well calibrated for this type of car, I was very curious to try it on the Junior in 145hp version. Remember that Alfa Romeo is supposed to be Stellantis' premium sports car brand. While I particularly liked the 280 hp Junior Veloce, the 145 hp version left me wanting more, although I don't think it would have needed much more to be more fun to drive.
I switch to DNA D mode, I put the eDCT gearbox in manual mode and place my fingers on the tiny gearshift paddles. Here, I'm a little disappointed: in "dynamic" driving, you get a little bored. During acceleration, gear changes and downshifts, the car, despite its claimed 145 hp, doesn't feel very playful. Yet the CMP platform still does its job well. It's a good basis for a B-segment vehicle, well-tuned and reassuringly sound.
The problem lies with the engine and/or gearbox mapping. Indeed, the 1.2 L EB2 three-cylinder internal combustion engine seems to reach its limits when driving dynamically. What's more, the eDCT gearbox, which I found good and pleasant on the Lancia Ypsilon or in N mode on the Alfa Romeo, offers nothing really exciting in D mode of the DNA selector. You can feel the power, but there's no pleasure to be had in shifting or downshifting. In fact, there's often a latency on acceleration, which prevents interesting acceleration. It's a real shame.
Alfa Romeo should have adopted a more dynamic gearbox mapping in D and D mode, why not, the same limited-slip differential as on the 280hp version, to make the driving experience more fun. In the end, the Junior's DNA is no longer really useful: they could have kept only the N and Q4 modes. Incidentally, in these two modes, the Junior meets the specifications perfectly.
Perhaps Alfa Romeo should launch a Junior Veloce Q4, with a more powerful 1.2 L internal combustion engine, or even the 1.6 L? Note that the Junior 136 hp (without Q4) weighs in at 1,380 kg, while the Junior 145 hp Q4 climbs to 1,500 kg, i.e. 120 kg more on the scales. Does the Q4 mean that what it gains in grip, it loses in dynamism?
| 0 to 100 km/h | Weight | Weight / Power | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfa Romeo Junior 136 hp | 8.9 sec | 1380 kg | 10.14 kg/hp | 29 500 € |
| Alfa Romeo Junior 145 hp Q4 | 9.1 sec | 1500 kg | 10.34 kg/hp | 37 000 € |
| Alfa Romeo Junior 156 hp (electric) | 9 sec | 1545 kg | 9.90 kg/hp | 38 500 € |
| Alfa Romeo Junior 280 hp (electric) | 5.9 sec | 1590 kg | 5.67 kg/hp | 46 900 € |
This is obviously a personal feeling, which was not necessarily shared by all the journalists present at the test drive. But I'd like to remind you that we're talking about Alfa Romeo, a brand with a sporty DNA, so I was expecting a little more from a 145 hp Q4 model.
Nevertheless, the Junior Q4 remains a good car, with reassuringly efficient handling, which will suit people who need an SUV with Q4 functionality (for tackling mountain roads in all seasons, or driving on dirt roads, etc.). The 145 hp will be more than enough for most drivers (for these people, the added value is €2,500 between the Q2 and Q4 versions on the same trim level), but I regret that it doesn't offer the "fun to drive" you'd expect from an Alfa Romeo.
Having tested them all, the only truly sporty Alfa Romeo Junior remains the 280hp Veloce, albeit electrically powered.
Why have a sporty brand like AR within Stellantis if it uses the same engines with the same power ratings as all the other brands in the group. AR's design and road feel are not enough to differentiate it from its ex-PSA sisters. Even the Veloce doesn't come with multi-link rear suspension.
I'm driving a Stelvio after two Giulias, and I'm wondering what engines will be offered.
In itself, Stellantis is transforming the Alfa Romeo brand into a finish: the same vehicle as the rest of the group's range, same engine, same power, but with different seats and rims...
Interesting test drive. The Junior Q4 is undoubtedly a good car, but when it comes to passion, we'll have to wait and see. When you buy an Alfa Romeo, you expect a little something extra, otherwise you won't stand out from the competition.
But it's true that most car buyers just want a mover, not much more.
A 1,2 puretech in entry-level for a more competitive price why not but an alfa in sport version q4 with 145 of which only 136 in thermal and especially a lack of torque which a 1,2 must suffer compared to a 4 cylinders of larger displacement, frankly the competition must have a good laugh!!!!
Is this a plug-in hybrid or does it power up from the engine and braking system like the Toyota or Honda hybrid vehicles?
It's like Toyota
Well, for the time being, the competition is fairly small: there's the Lexus LBX (much more expensive and no more powerful), its sister Yaris Cross and the Junior's brother, the Avenger.
So really, it's just a shame we didn't take the opportunity to beef up the range and stand out from the competition. With an engine of around 100/130hp at the rear instead of around 30hp.
This would have given a small Junior Q4 of around 200/210hp combined, just right to fill the gap between the 156hp electric and the 280hp Veloce electric.
But then again, Stellantis and his typical PSA lack of ambition and investment...
Let me add that when you look at the range of 4 engines, it's almost comical to see that they offer 3 within a 20hp difference...
The Junior is causing quite a stir. Sure, it shares a lot with its cousins, but don't forget that in the past, the MiTo also shared a lot with its cousin Fiat. The Twin Air twin-cylinder engine and the Panda platform were also (already) found on the Corsa. Although now an SUV, for me the Junior is the MiTo's descendant.
And the Mito was never convincing. It was even an interstellar turd with the twin-cylinder.
It's rare to see an ugly car from every angle... but when it's an Alfa, it hurts. It's like the days of the Arna...
Stellantis engines are no dream come true. It's the end of Alfa with its characterful engines. All in all, it's really sad.