For about 4 years now, Alfa Romeo has been getting by with a model line-up consisting of just two new vehicles – the Giulia and the Stelvio – but that now changes with the Tonale, a compact SUV that’s to lock horns with the Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW X1, and Audi Q3.
Whether it was by choice or a particularly difficult development, Alfa Romeo took their sweet time with the release of this brand-new model as the Tonale was shown off in various states of readiness since 2019.
As it arrives now, it’s the first Alfa product to be launched under their new stewards Stellantis, led by former Peugeot CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato at the helm of the Italian brand. Starting with the Tonale in 2022, they plan to release a new car every year until 2030.
This rollout plan involves their first fully electric model, another small SUV reportedly called the Brennero, a sporty GTV (possibly a coupe, possible electric), as well as off-shoots and major updates to the existing Giulia and Stelvio in addition to a flagship sport/performance model to sit at the head of Alfa’s new four-wheel dynasty.
Onto the Tonale, which is built upon the legacy underpinnings of the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles shared with the Jeep Renegade. In fact, it’s the final new car to be released before a group-wide shift to Stellantis’ new generation of unified platforms.
Being an Alfa, they promise exceptional driving dynamics with a 50:50 weight distribution and even adaptive damping as standard. They have also tuned the braking and steering to be some of the best the class have ever seen, though it remains to be seen if they succeeded.
Its exterior, while easily dismissed as a shrunken Stelvio, manages to squeeze in design cues taken from the 8C Competizione and even the 3+3 headlights meant as a salute to the SZ from 1989. Meanwhile, its distinctive alloy wheels are a modern take of the ‘telephone dial’ design that characterised 1960s Alfa Romeos such as the 33 Stradale.
As of this official model reveal, the Tonale is offered with two mild-hybrid petrol engines and a PHEV, the former delivering either 130PS or 160PS derived from a 1.5-litre four-cylinder aided by a 48V electric starter generator and mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
At the top of the range, at least for now, is a plug-in hybrid that boasts 272PS and a 0-100km/h sprint time of just 6.2 seconds, achieved thanks to a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine powering the front wheels and the remaining thrust supplied by an electric motor at the rear axle. Depending on the variant, this Tonale PHEV is said to offer between 60 and 80km of electric-only range.
Inside, it receives the latest and greatest tech Alfa Romeo can throw at it with much of the delayed launch caused attributable to the team fine-tuning the software and UI experience.
Upfront is a floating 10.25-inch touchscreen display with a customisable home screen, partnered with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
Aside from connectivity functions such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, the Tonale also comes built-in with the Amazon Alexa voice assistant, the ability to receive over-the-air updates and will have a full suite of active safety and driver aid features, including adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist.
Naturally, Europe will be the first to receive the new Alfa with a UK introduction earmarked for some time in Q3, but no firm timelines have been forthcoming on a more worldwide rollout.
Prices are equally a mystery but should be within range of the Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW X1, Volvo XC40, and Audi Q3.
Keyword: All-New 2022 Alfa Romeo Tonale Finally Breaks Cover As Sexy GLA Rival