2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale revealed with electrified power
The medium-sized Alfa Romeo Tonale SUV has made its debut in production specification, with a design sticking close to that of the 2019 concept car. The Tonale will feature electrified mild-hybrid petrol engines, along with a plug-in hybrid powertrain with all-wheel drive and a zero emissions driving range of up to 50 miles. Expected in showrooms later this year, the Tonale is likely to start from just under £30,000.
Measuring 4,530mm in length, 1,840mm wide and 1,600mm tall, the Tonale is a similar width and height to the Mercedes-Benz GLA, but slightly longer. It features the classic ‘telephone-dial’ five-hole alloy wheels synonymous with Alfa Romeo, but the thin door mirrors and flush door handles of the concept have been replaced with more conventional items. ‘3+3’ full-LED adaptive headlights have been designed as a visual nod to the striking SZ Zagato coupé, with a ‘welcome and goodbye’ graphic when the driver interacts with the car.
The Tonale’s nose features a ‘floating shield’, flanked by two air intakes at the bottom and the headlights near the top. At the rear of the car, LED lighting spans the tailgate and gives the SUV a unique light signature for following traffic. Inside, there’s a ‘telescopic’instrument panel, featuring a 12.3- inch digital display and a 10.25- inch infotainment screen, that are said to provide a ‘smartphone-like’ experience. This is aided by its Android-based operating system, built-in Amazon Alexa integration, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with wireless over-the-air software updates. It will also be the first car to use non-fungible token (NFT) blockchain technology, providing every Tonale with a ‘digital certificate’ This is a non-modifiable record of the car’s life, which can record information on how the car is used and maintained. Alfa Romeo claims this will have a ‘positive impact on its residual value’ if the car has been well looked after, thanks to the reassurance it offers second-hand buyers. Alfa Romeo has long spoken of putting the driving experience near the top of the list, and the dashboard is focused towards the driver’s seat to emphasise this. However, the Tonale will also come with Alfa Romeo’s latest driver aids, including level two autonomous driving, which can keep pace with traffic and keep the SUV in the centre of its lane.
The engine range will include a new 1.5-litre 48-volt mild-hybrid petrol engine with 128bhp, mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and a 20bhp electric motor. There will also be a more powerful version of this unit with 158bhp and a variable-geometry turbocharger. It will be joined by a 1.6-litre diesel powertrain with 128bhp, front-wheel drive and a six-speed twin-clutch transmission. Above these editions, there’s a Tonale Plug-in Hybrid Q4 with 271bhp. It gets its power from a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine, supplying the front wheels, along with a rear electric motor and 15.5kWh battery. Acceleration from 0-62mph is promised in just 6.2 seconds, making it the fastest Tonale available from launch. The all-wheel drive powertrain is said to provide up to 50 miles of electric driving, while a full charge of the battery takes 2.5 hours using a 7.4kW wallbox or public charger.
Alfa Romeo also promises ‘bestin- class’ handling, aided by ‘perfect weight distribution’. It features the most direct steering ratio (13.6) in its class and dual stage electronic suspension, with Comfort and Sport settings to finely tune the compromise between a more relaxed and a firm ride.
“ALFA ROMEO HAS LONG SPOKEN OF PUTTING THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE NEAR THE TOP OF THE LIST, AND THE DASHBOARD IS FOCUSED TOWARDS THE DRIVER’S SEAT TO EMPHASISE THIS.”