Light and shade from Italy

Ah, Italy: a country that produces flashes of automotive genius and the occasional dud on wheels. A country that loves cars, but sometimes misses them. How will it be this time? Autosprint takes a close look at two of the most interesting new products from Alfa Romeo and Fiat, once daughter and mother, now both part of the Stellantis Group, in a double test: the electric Veloce top version of the new small Alfa Junior and the new Panda (now officially called the Grande Panda because the old Panda Classic is still on sale) as a mild hybrid.

For once, let's start with numbers to illustrate the differences in status. The 4.17-meter-long luxury compact Alfa Romeo Junior is available as a hybrid (107kW/145PS) or electric (115kW/156PS, Veloce 207 kW/280PS) from 31,490 and 37,990 francs respectively. The electric Veloce test car costs 54490 francs with options. The 4.00 meter short small car Fiat Grande Panda is available as a hybrid (81 kW/110PS) and electric (83kW/113PS) from 18,990 and 24,990 francs respectively. Our hybrid test car costs 24690 francs with options. Is the Alfa, which is more than twice as expensive, also twice as much fun and makes twice as much sense?

Only Italy can do such a design
Design is the domain of our southern neighbors: there are cars that only Italians can design. Here, too, two heads of character roll. But: styling is a matter of taste. We quote comments from acquaintances. The typical comment on the Junior: «It looks cool at the front - but has it run out of ideas at the back?» With the Panda, there are two types of answers: from «Brilliant.» to «Horrible!». We find it fitting: «Panda can be so crazy.» Our opinion: Alfa very pretty, no surprise. Panda? A stylistic flash of inspiration. Cool!

Expert opinion Alfa Romeo Junior Elletrica Veloce
Advantages
+ sporty-cool style
+ Enormously curvaceous
+Powerful e-drive
Disadvantages
- Very harsh suspension
- too much cheap plastic

In the Alfa, we thread ourselves into the narrow Veloce seat shells and say a prayer that our hip gold is kept within limits - and are amazed: nice here with all the Alcantara, but apparently over 50,000 francs is still too little to get anything nicer than the standard automatic control knob from the Stellantis shelf or cheap plastic on the doors or ventilation grilles, for example. The affordable Panda is completely different: of course there is hard plastic - but everything is so charmingly styled that it is never distracting. Plus countless practical details. The bamboo storage compartment? Just like the 3D rear lights, it deserves a design award! Square, practical, good: that's what makes a city dwarf fun.

What about space? In the Alfa, we first have to find the door handle in the window triangle and then bruise our knees on the hard plastic parts. Can a rear compartment with a length of 4.17 meters be more cramped and gloomy? There's not much in the Panda, but enough space, light and air. The only thing that could have been left in is a cargo area light.

Alfa dynamic, but too hard
The Alfa's moment comes when driving: The 280 horsepower go off like crazy, are spontaneous in every situation - yikes, it shreds. Even the virtual sports sound (which can be switched off) is just right. Right, left, right, bang and away: corners are the Alfa's thing, thanks to the limited slip differential despite front-wheel drive. A real country road hunter. Only: the Veloce is so hard that we initially believe we are deluding ourselves. Commuting to work with this board chassis? Better not, we still need our intervertebral discs. And where is the range? At one point, with 40 percent capacity remaining, it's only 99 kilometers, which starts the "where do I charge" headache. On average, we manage around 280 (WLTP standard value 322) kilometers - in warm weather, mind you. How little would be left in winter? Sorry, Alfa, that's sobering in this price league.

Fiat normal, but enjoyable
And the little cube called Panda? It always puts you in a good mood. It's not a sedan, but it is absolutely comfortable for everyday use - just like small cars are. It masters scurrying through the city and also puts a smile on your face on the road. Except when the petrol engine and the electric motor get tangled up: rarely do they feel like they are working against each other instead of with each other. But most of the time, the 110 mild hybrid horsepower is in a good mood, accelerates much faster than expected and runs harmoniously. Fiat officially states 5.5 l/100 km, in the test it was 5.8 l/100 km - fair.

The Autosprint conclusion
Sorry, Alfa, but as fun to drive and entertaining as the Junior Veloce is, its hardness, hard plastic and low range for the price are disappointing. The Grande Panda, on the other hand, is a great success: Fiat has reinvented the «little friend» (former advertising slogan) and produced a fine good-mood vehicle at a budget price that does virtually everything right in everyday use.

Expert opinion Fiat Grande Panda Hybrid
Advantages
+ pretty, practical details
+ Consistent quality appearance
+ economical and fast mild hybrid
Disadvantages
- Design very polarizing
- Steering wheel adjustment range small