There’s a reason why the Tonale has been so much hype over the last few months. That is because this is the first new Alfa Romeo to be unveiled since the company joined the Stellantis umbrella. Alfa’s new parent company has a massive overhaul planned for the Italian firm and this is just the start!
The Tonale is also the first Alfa Romeo to include any sort of electrification with Stellantis already having committed to an electric future for the brand. Starting in 2027, the firm will only unveil electric cars.
Stellantis’ CEO has promised a new Alfa Romeo every year until 2030 with the Tonale kicking things off! A small electric SUV is planned for 2025 with a resurrected GTV also on the cards. Anyway, back to the fresh metal.
Named after one of Italy’s mountain passes, Tonale is the last car to sit on Alfa’s platform that was designed under Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). Just over 4.5m long, 1.84m wide and 1.6m tall, the crossover allows plenty of space in the line-up to co-exist with the larger Stelvio.
Alfa Romeo has always been known for cars that are rather special to drive and this Tonale is no different. Featuring a MacPherson strut set-up at the front with frequency selective damping. A 50:50 weight distribution further helps a steering rack that is described as one of the fastest in the segment.
The other component that makes an Alfa Romeo is the engine, my word they have made some special ones in the past! The Tonale has initially been announced with two electrified variants. A 1.5L four cylinder turbo petrol mild hybrid is available with either 128bhp or 158 bhp. Strangely, the most powerful variant is the 1.3L turbo plug-in hybrid! Sharing an engine with the Fiat 500, the PHEV uses petrol power for the front wheels and electric for the rear. A drivetrain only Alfa could have come up with!
Both mild-hybrid options use a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox and a 48V electric motor which kicks in at start-up, low speeds and when coasting. The PHEV on the other hand uses a 15.5kWhr electric motor to deliver 271bhp which takes the crossover from 0-100 in 6.2s!
Technology is at the forefront of the new Tonale with Stellantis’ CEO delaying the launch so that they could get it right! A 12.3inch digital dashboard and a 10.25inch infotainment screen sit atop the dash.
Continuing on the tech theme, the Tonale is the first car to ever to have an non-fungible token or NFT associated with it. This links the car to a digital blockchain certificate which records the car’s major milestone services etc to guarantee the car’s maintenance. A move that Stellantis’ CEO says will help the Tonale retain its value over time. If you prefer a little less tech then you’ll be glad to know that Amazon Alexa is also available with the ability to have parcels delivered directly to your car!
Featuring styling cues from the SZ, 8C Competizione along with incorporating signature Alfa elements like the ‘Trilobo’ nose, ‘Scudetto’ shield and ‘Teledial’ wheels! The Tonale will debut in Europe later this year. Expect it to be priced around £30,000 ($60,000 NZD).
What do you think of the new Tonale, is it a true Alfa Romeo?
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Words by Matthew D’Souza, pictures courtesy of Stellantis Media.
