2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale revealed

Alfa Romeo has revealed its Tonale crossover, which is notable for being the iconic Italian carmaker's first small SUV while heralding its "metamorphosis to electrification".

Promising the agility and performance that buyers expect from an Alfa Romeo, the Tonale (pronounced, Ton-ah-leh) brings a number of brand-firsts – including hybrid and plug-in powertrains, as well as an all-new infotainment architecture.

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And in what is believed to be an industry first, each Tonale will come with its own unique NFT (non-fungible token) that over time will characterise the car.

Using blockchain technology, the NFT will be able to provide future buyers certification showing the car’s history including mileage, status, service and accident history in a non-corruptible file.

The current owner will be able to set what the NFT records, but Alfa Romeo believes it has the ability to add value to the vehicle, like a meticulously-recorded service history.

Design and features

According to the Italian marque, the Tonale has been penned in accordance with its La bellesa necessària, (The Necessary Beauty) design mantra, with a lean appearance that is meant to "look like it drives".

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The side view features a simple single GT line, which runs from the front to rear lights, with contrast provided by the shadows cast along the curvaceous panels and doors.

The purists will appreciate a number of classic touches, such as the Trefoil grille, the 3+3 DRL signature (a nod to the SZ coupe), and the latest embodiment of the 'teledial' wheel design as seen on the Tonale concept.

Inside, expect a driver-focused cabin with sporty seats and a combined 22.5-inches of screen space which includes a 12.3-inch driver display with a bold, clear gauge cluster reminiscent of the GT Junior and Giulia Super.

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Other features include dual-zone air conditioning, ventilated and heated front seats, ambient lighting, and a 14-speaker sound system by Harman Kardon, wireless charging pad and a power-operated tailgate.

Alfa Romeo is yet to provide interior specifications, such as rear legroom or boot space.

Powertrains

The Tonale ushers in Alfa Romeo's electric future with 48-volt hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains, designed with economy and performance in mind.

The hybrids feature a 15kW electric motor coupled with either a 97kW 1.5-litre direct-injection or 120kW 1.5-litre VGT (Variable-Geometry Turbo) petrol engine, both of which drive the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The Tonale Plug-In Hybrid Q4 AWD will provide all-wheel-drive traction, with a 134kW 1.5-litre engine driving the front wheels through a six-speed torque converter auto, and a 90kW electric motor at the rear axle.

The motor will be powered by a 15kWh battery capable of 100kW fast-charging and a combined driving range of 60 kilometres or 80km in urban conditions.

It's quick too, with a 0-100 km/h time of just 6.2 seconds.

Turbocharged petrol and turbodiesel powertrains will be available for the US and Middle Eastern markets.

The Tonale is built on Stellantis's Small Wide 4×4 Platform underpinning the Jeep Renegade and Compass small SUVs, meaning it's capable of full electrification. That isn't on the cards right now, but Alfa Romeo hasn't ruled out a Tonale BEV if there ends up being a market for it.

Driving dynamics

Alfa Romeo promises a nimble, agile and sporty, but comfortable, driving experience with its independent MacPherson suspension system, with Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) shock absorbers as standard.

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Dual-state valve electronic adaptive suspension is also available. It comes standard with the Veloce pack and is optional with all other spec grades.

The 13.6 steering ratio has been set for a more precise and direct sheering feel.

Stopping power includes Brembo fixed callipers with four pistons and ventilated front discs at the solid discs at the rear.

Safety and technology

The Tonale will come with the latest U-Connect infotainment system, which now features Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant voice control options and wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. This system also works remotely, allowing the driver to get real-time data on things such as fuel status and tyre pressure.

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The 10.25-inch central touchscreen controls the infotainment, HVAC, and satellite navigation that features dynamic range mapping showing where you’ll end up based on current fuel/battery levels.

Advanced driver assistance tech includes; adaptive cruise control with lane-centring and traffic jam assist, 360-degree camera, blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, and drowsy driver detection.

The Tonale also features “Semi-Automatic Parking” that indicates the space available to park in and steers the car into the parking spot.

Variants and local availability

The Alfa Romeo Tonale be available in two trim grades, Super and TI, and each will come with a choice of Sprint or Veloce equipment packages.

There are no plans for a high-performance Quadrofiglio variant yet, though Alfa Romeo hasn't ruled out introducing one down the track.

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At this stage, only the hybrid version will be available in Australia, most likely with the 120kW engine, but the PHEV hasn't been ruled out, pending demand.

A local Stellantis spokesperson said it is expected to arrive in Australia during the first half of 2023, with specifications and pricing announced closer to launch.

The story to here

January 31, 2022: Alfa Romeo has showcased a pair of teaser videos for the Tonale crossover, ahead of its reveal next week.

The first clip shows its digital instrument cluster, zooming in on an animation of the Tonale’s front end.

As is expected from an Alfa Romeo, the unique triangular grille of the Tonale is flanked by a pair of slim LED headlights – with each featuring U-shaped DRLs.

The teaser bows out with a quick glimpse of the steering wheel and paddle shifters, which are expected to look similar to the designs found in the larger Giulia and Stelvio.

Another video released by the Italian marque over the weekend places an emphasis on the materials found inside the SUV.

This includes a red Alfa Romeo badge that will be embroidered into the front headrests, as well as perforations on the steering wheel.

A mysterious Italian flag will also be placed somewhere on the Tonale.

January 25, 2022: Alfa Romeo has confirmed a launch date for its new Tonale, with covers set to come off the SUV next month.

The Italian marque's latest SUV will be unveiled to the world on February 9 at 1am AEDT, signalling the start of a new era for the manufacturer.

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December 16, 2021: Polish outlet Spider’s Web Autoblog has leaked purported details of the upcoming Alfa Romeo Tonale, the Italian brand’s newest SUV.

According to the report, the Tonale will arrive with traditional combustion engines, but also hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains – just like the Jeep Compass and Compass 4xe.

The details come from an internal presentation which shows the Tonale is longer than the Compass at 4528mm in length (compared to 4394mm) but shares the exact same wheelbase of 2636mm.

Following the vehicle's launch next year, a potential pure electric version could be added to the mix, helping Alfa Romeo meet its EV-only promise by 2027. Again, this would likely spawn from an electric Jeep Compass or similar.

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The Alfa Romeo Tonale, as seen at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show

From the presentation, details of the drivetrains suggest only petrol engines with no diesel option, and the base level starts with a 1.3-litre turbocharged engine producing 95kW through a dual-clutch automatic transmission.

A petrol hybrid version will apparently produce around the same output but with the assistance and efficiency of a small battery and electric motor – it might more likely be a circa-150kW hybrid from Stellantis’ larger 1.5-litre hybrid unit in development.

For now, the range-topper will use the same 1.3-litre petrol plug-in hybrid system as the Jeep Compass 4xe which produces a total combined output of 177kW or more given Alfa Romeo’s sporty heritage.

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The Tonale concept unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2019 shows typical Alfa Romeo styling, with narrow LED headlights, a large front V grille and Alfa’s iconic 5-hole design alloys. Spy pics recently suggest the concept’s blade-like door mirrors will be dropped for a conventional design and the flush-fitting door handles are gone also.

Around the back is a full-width light-bar which might live on in the top-spec version but be simplified in the entry-level versions for cost-cutting. The rear is slightly squared off, but with swopping lines that join the smooth hip line seen on contemporary Alfa Romeos.

When it arrives, the Tonale will be smaller than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and rival small premium crossovers such as the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Audi Q3.

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Jeep's Compass which will share its platform with the Tonale

The Tonale is set to launch next year and will be a crucial model for Alfa Romeo sales in Australia.

The brand here says that it is looking forward to the model’s official reveal, but timing cannot be confirmed – expect at least a late 2022 launch if things like semiconductors and stock shortages don’t impact its production.