The highly anticipated Alfa Romeo Tonale has been unveiled. Here are all the details. Stellantis, the giant formed as a result of the merger between FCA (FIAT-Chrysler) and PSA (Peugeot-Citroën, Opel), has an extensive portfolio of 14 brands. Among them, one of the most outstanding is Alfa Romeo, which will play a fundamental role in the expansion plans of Carlos Tavares, executive director of the group, as it is called to become Stellantis’s premium firm globally.
Although it will share developments and technologies with DS and Lancia, the other two premium firms of the conglomerate, the truth is that these will have a more regional focus; in addition, Alfa Romeo will also benefit from a series of exclusive synergies with Maserati. Therefore, in practice, it will be one step above DS and Lancia.
The recently presented Tonale is a key model within its ambitious expansion plans, as it will be a transition vehicle between the FCA and Stellantis eras, as it will be the brand’s first plug-in hybrid, but also its latest model without 100 versions. % electrical. In addition, it will also be the latest developed with FCA technology, as it sits on the Small Wide LWB 4 × 4 platforms of the Jeep Compass.
The Alfa Romeo Tonale fits into the C segment (compact SUV), one of the most important in the European market by volume. It measures 4.53 meters long, 1.84 meters wide, and 1.60 meters high; therefore, it is one of the largest proposals in its category, being very close to its older brother, the Stelvio (4.69 meters).
Design
From an aesthetic point of view, the newcomer drinks from the rich legacy of the brand: the front, dominated by the classic triangular “Scudetto” and the three-opening “Trilobo” design, while the optical groups (with Matrix LED technology) in 3+3 configuration, they recall icons such as the SZ Zagato sports car, the Proteo concept car or the 159 sedans.
The line that joins the headlights to the rear shoulders (GT Line) is inspired by the classic Giulia GT, while the cutout of the window draws from the 8C Competizione supercar. The lights, which follow the same 3+3 scheme as on the front, have a 3D effect and are joined across the width of the tailgate, following the prevailing aesthetic trend in the market.
The cabin, very similar in shape to that of the Giulia and Stelvio, emphasizes Alfa Romeo’s sporting heritage, with telescopic instrumentation made up of two large dials and a very compact steering wheel design. The dashboard is oriented towards the driver’s seat. Details such as ambient lighting or the DNA driving mode selector on the center console are not lacking, while among the selected materials we find leather, Alcantara, and aluminum.
Alfa Romeo wanted to place special emphasis on connectivity; For this reason, the Tonale will have an infotainment system with 4G connectivity and OTA updates based on Android Automotive OS. This set will be associated with 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and a 10.25-inch touch screen.
Alfa Romeo bets on connectivity
In addition, the Tonale will integrate the voice assistant Alexa, developed by Amazon. The integration with Amazon will be complete, as the user will be able to choose their Tonale as the place of delivery for their orders, unlocking the doors so that the delivery person can leave the merchandise safely. How could it be otherwise, you can remotely check the fuel and charge level (plug-in hybrid versions), open or close the car, check its location…
In terms of safety, Alfa Romeo’s latest creation will stand out for offering autonomy level 2 thanks to its advanced driving assistance systems: intelligent adaptive cruise control, lane centering, traffic jam assistant, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot, rear cross-traffic detector, 360º cameras…
Initially, the Alfa Romeo Tonale will be available with three mechanics. On the one hand, there will be two 48-volt mild-hybrid options (Hybrid), with 130 and 160 hp respectively. In both cases, the engine will be a 1.5 block associated with a 15 kW and 55 Nm “P2” electric drive, as well as a seven-speed TCT dual-clutch gearbox. The 160 hp model will use a variable geometry turbo (VGT).
Although these models will be mild-hybrid instead of conventional hybrids, the truth is that they will offer several interesting advances (combustion engines will work in the Miller cycle) that will allow them to offer an “authentic” hybrid experience since the electric drive will be able to boost the car when the thermal unit is off in some scenarios (starting, traffic jams, parking…). In some markets, there will also be a 130 hp 1.6 diesel associated with a 6-speed TCT gearbox.
The Alfa Romeo Tonale Plug-in Hybrid Q4 will have about 60 kilometers of electric autonomy
The Plug-in Hybrid Q4, which as its name suggests will have all-wheel drive, will be the top of the range. This model will use the latest generation 1.3 MultiAir engine and will produce 275 hp thanks to the use of an electric motor on the rear axle. It will complete the 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.2 seconds and will be able to reach a range in electric mode of more than 60 km WLTP (about 80 km WLTP in the urban cycle) thanks to the use of a 15.5 kWh battery pack. guaranteed for 8 years or 150,000 km. The battery can be charged to 100% in about 2 hours and a half connected to a 7.4 kW point.
Alfa Romeo has also wanted to take care of the dynamic behavior of the vehicle by equipping it with the most direct steering in its category (13.6), an intelligent braking system associated with four-piston Brembo calipers on the front axle and an adaptive suspension « Dual Stage Valve» with a MacPherson scheme.
The Tonale will be available in two finishes: Super (customizable with the Sprint package) and Ti (customizable with the Veloce package). With this car, the brand launches a new online sales model and new services such as Alfa Romeo Certified (which offers an extended warranty and assistance for used vehicles) and Alfa Romeo Video check (to certify to the customer those repairs that are more expensive than initially agreed). Finally, Alfa Romeo has introduced NFT technology in the Tonale as a world exclusive, as it will be the first vehicle on the market linked to a digital certificate of this type.
