Italian brand’s first small SUV expected to revive Alfa Romeo’s fortunes
Alfa Romeo’s first ever small SUV has arrived in Australia and the all-new sub-$50,000 Alfa Romeo Tonale is charged with reversing the Italian brand’s sales slide by poaching buyers from the popular Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Mercedes-Benz GLA.
The first new Alfa in six years and the car-maker’s first hybrid model, the Tonale joins an Alfa Romeo range comprising just two models – the aging Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV, sales of which are down 44 per cent this year.
But the Tonale enters a new market segment for the historic brand and, with a sharp $49,900 starting price, undercuts competitors such as the Q3 ($50,600), X1 (from $60,400) and Volvo XC40 (from $53,490), not to mention the far more expensive GLA – but not the Lexus UX at $46,085.
“It is the metamorphosis of the brand, globally,” said Alfa Romeo Australia’s product manager for small and compact products, Bridget Thomson.
“We’re in a brand-new segment that we-ve never actually competed in before, bringing in a whole new customer base who wants something a little bit smaller than our current product offering.”
Alfa Romeo’s second SUV is expected to quickly become its best-selling model both globally and in Australia, thanks to its competitive price, generous equipment levels and an electrified turbo-petrol powertrain that drives silently using just the battery for short distances to save fuel.
The Alfa Romeo Tonale will be followed by another update for the Giulia and Stelvio, plus a smaller all-electric SUV potentially called Visconti in 2024, and a super-luxury flagship SUV named the Gran Stelvio later this decade.
But right now, the Tonale marks the beginning of a reset for the brand and Alfa Romeo insists the Tonale’s mild-hybrid powertrain will be a major drawcard for buyers, along with a host of features including twin digital screens, wireless phone charging, automatic Matrix LED headlights, animated LED indicators and 18-inch alloy wheels.
“I think the thing that really separates us apart [from rivals] is that 48-volt system that acts like a hybrid,” said Thomson, adding that no other luxury brand in the small SUV segment has a basic plugless hybrid system that can drive on pure electricity.
“We’ve got all the tech that is essentially in line if not better than the competitors, plus it’s a pretty beautiful looking car. At Alfa Romeo we try and make beautiful Italian cars and I think this car really does fits the brief as well.”
Although she wouldn’t divulge the level of local customer interest or pre-orders for the Tonale, Thomson said ‘loyal Alfisitis’ are expected to get in early and that many buyers will come from fellow European brands such as Audi, BMW and Mercedes.
“I can’t specifically talk on the competitors and their offerings but of course those brands do compete in the same segment. We do believe we’ve got a really strong offering not only with the spec that comes with the car, but obviously a very attractive price point too.”
The all-new small luxury SUV’s sharp price point could see some owners of premium Japanese small SUVs also step up to the Tonale, implied Thomson.
“A lot of mainstream buyers actually spend above $45,000, so of course [we will attract new buyers], no matter where they potentially coming from and what they’re interested in.”
Only two model grades are available from launch – the Alfa Romeo Tonale Ti ($49,900) and Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce ($56,400), both powered by 1.5-litre turbo-petrol mild-hybrid powertrains (118kW/240Nm) equipped with a 0.8kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a small electric motor (15kW/135Nm).
Later in 2023, Alfa Romeo Australia will release a more powerful and more expensive (circa-$75,000) plug-in hybrid version of the Tonale that pumps out a more potent 205kW.
If sales go gangbusters for the Alfa Romeo Tonale, Thomson is confident the brand can meet customer demand.
“I can’t go into specifics on numbers but we’re very, very confident that we’ll be able to meet supply not only with the hybrid but also the plug-in hybrid as well,” she said.
All Alfa Romeo models are backed by a five-year/unlimited-km warranty, five-year roadside assist plan and five-year capped-price service program.
How much does the 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale cost?
Hybrid Ti (a) – $49,900
Hybrid Veloce (a) – $56,400
* Prices exclude on-road costs
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Keyword: New Alfa Romeo Tonale to steal Audi Q3, BMW X1 buyers