Le Journal

Des centaines de fans ont assisté à l'avant-première mondiale à Paris, devant le Palais Brongniard, en présence des stars de la série.

Independent project imagines a track-ready Junior GTA. Carbon fiber bodykit takes cues from the Giulia GTA sedan. Styling kit could happen, but powertrain plans remain uncertain. The Alfa Romeo Junior has been a sales hit for the Italian brand in Europe, with the fully electric Veloce sitting at the top of the lineup in terms of performance. While Alfa is hesitant about applying the Quadrifoglio moniker to its entry-level model, an independent design project envisions a hardcore Junior GTA, hoping to turn it into a styling kit. The project is courtesy of Resto ModGT from Italy. Despite the realistic illustrations, the Junior GTA only exists within the digital world. Still, the creator describes it as a “production-oriented concept” and is currently looking for collaborations to make it real. Review: The Junior Is Everything Alfa Romeo Needed And Nothing Alfisti Wanted The Junior GTA features an aggressive bodykit, inspired by the limited-production Giulia GTA. It includes a redesigned front bumper with larger intakes and carbon fiber inserts, wide fender extensions, body-colored side skirts, a discrete rear spoiler, and a custom rear bumper with a large diffuser housing dual tailpipes. If that setup still feels tame, Resto ModGT has also produced visuals for an even wilder Junior GTAm. This version adds a vented carbon fiber hood, a more aggressive front splitter, sharper side skirts, dual front canards, a rear wing, a redesigned rear diffuser with four tailpipes, and a red tow strap. Resto ModGT What About Performance? Although this is pitched primarily as a design package, Resto ModGT says they’re open to teaming up with suppliers for possible chassis or performance upgrades down the line. More: This Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm Replica Bodykit Looks Quite Convincing In the renderings, the small crossover rides on larger alloy wheels shod in performance tires. It is also depicted with beefier brake discs, red Brembo calipers, wider tracks, and a visibly lowered suspension. The most potent version of the Junior currently in production is the fully electric Veloce with 278 hp (207 kW / 280 PS). In theory, the styling kit could be applied to that model, minus, of course, the exhaust tips shown in the renderings. That brings up the obvious limitation. The only internal combustion engine currently available for the Junior is a weak mild-hybrid 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder sourced from the Stellantis lineup, not the kind of powertrain you’d want in a vehicle flaunting a GTA badge. More: Alfa’s Next Quadrifoglio Models Might Burn Gas After All The ICE delivers 134 hp (100 kW / 136 PS) in standard form and is paired with a single electric motor producing 28 hp (21 kW / 29 PS). The all-wheel-drive Ibrida Q4 version adds a second 28 hp (21 kW / 29 PS) motor on the rear axle, though that still doesn’t make it a rocket ship. Resto ModGT As for the chassis, the Junior shares its CMP underpinnings with numerous small hatchbacks and SUVs from Stellantis including the Lancia Ypsilon, Peugeot 208 / 2008, Opel Corsa / Mokka, Citroen C4, DS3 Crossback, Jeep Avenger, and Fiat/Abarth 600. Overall, it is clear that a hotter version of the Junior would require a new engine and a sharper chassis setup, and Alfa Romeo is not in the state to invest on a low-volume variant of its mainstream model. Still, some owners could be interested in a wild-looking aftermarket styling kit, with the sole purpose of improving the SUV’s head-turning credentials. Resto ModGT