Alfa Romeo Junior caught testing

Alfa Romeo will launch the Junior this autumn at the Paris Motor Show. Based on the Fiat Grande Punto platform, Junior will go on sale in spring 2009 at a price of £10,000.

Under the hood there will be a wide range of engines starting with the 95bhp 1.4-litre petrol for the base version. There will also be a 130bhp 1.9-litre diesel. The rest of the range will be powered by a turbocharged version of the 1.4-litre petrol. Fiat currently offers that engine in 120, 135, 155 and 178bhp forms, across the 500 and Punto ranges. There’s no word yet on which variations will appear in the Alfa, but expect the 178bhp engine to top the range.

The Alfa Junior will feature chromed door handles, both inside and out. Expect the Alfa’s interior to feature the same basic layout as its sister Fiat, but with recessed dials on the dash and a sense of Italian style that Alfa hopes will surpass the Mini’s retro chic.