Alfa Romeo Tonale, change of era

2022-07-11T14:14:01.154Z

TEST – With its latest model, which inaugurates electrification, the Italian brand renounces part of its identity, yielding to the inevitable compact SUV.

No manufacturer can survive the absence of new models for a five-year period, except for a few animations in its ranges.

Except Alfa Romeo, which can be considered a model of resilience.

Admittedly, we have known it to be more valiant but, galvanized by a new management team and the injection of fresh money from the Stellantis group, the biscione brand can now dream of a bright future.

Validated until 2030, the rebirth plan includes one new vehicle per year or a significant range animation.

The first electric model will be launched in 2025, and from 2027 the Italian brand will only market zero-emission vehicles.

Ph. Alberto Giorgio Alquati

Although the return of a coupé and a convertible before the end of the decade is not excluded, Alfa Romeo aims above all to count in the world of premium brands by favoring mass market models, in the forefront of which are the SUV, the silhouette acclaimed by motorists around the world.

If a compact-sized model capable of competing with the Mini Countryman is expected in two years, today's news comes in the form of a family SUV.

Constituting a breath of fresh air for Alfa, the Tonale (pronounced “Tonalé”) seems almost warmed up.

The manufacturer had presented it in the form of a concept at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, that is to say a few months before the Fiat and PSA groups considered merging.

Retro codes

Mattia Baruffaldi

A wedding and several confinements did not call the Tonale into question, but his parents nevertheless deemed it necessary to make some aesthetic and technical adjustments, if only to electrify him, which was not initially planned.

Based on a proven Jeep Compass platform, itself derived from a Fiat 500 X but largely revised - widened tracks and stiffened structure - the Tonale multiplies the nods to the history of the Milanese brand.

The front end is inspired by that of the famous SZ coupé from the early 1990s with its three square headlamps on each side of the triangular grille.

From the 147 GTA, the SUV inherits the five-hole “telephone” rims.

As for the particular cutout of the rear window, the stylists ensure that it refers to the legendary 8C Competizione.

The result is an SUV that does not lack personality.

To put things in perspective, at nearly 4.53m long and 1.60m high, the Tonale is one of the longest and lowest in its class.

It exceeds the Peugeot 3008 by 80 mm in length but returns 150 mm to the Stelvio.

Mattia Baruffaldi

The treatment of the passenger compartment represents a mini-revolution for the manufacturer and makes us forget the perfectible ergonomics of the interiors of Giulia and Stelvio.

If the Alfists of the first hour will appreciate the oblong shape of yesteryear of the cap of instrumentation, the followers of high-tech will welcome the adoption of a digital screen of 12.3 inches customizable.

The driver will have the choice between three atmospheres.

With the “Heritage” mode, the counters rediscover the hands and typeface of the past.

Regarding the multimedia system, Alfa ignores an integrated tablet, in favor of a 10.25-inch element pressed against the dashboard.

The circulation in the menus is well thought out and, that's good, the Tonale has not yielded to the temptation to remove the air conditioning and heating adjustment buttons.

In terms of perceived quality but also of equipment, the Italian SUV aligns itself with the standards of the segment, notably receiving six airbags, automatic emergency braking with recognition of pedestrians and cyclists, detection of drowsiness, presence of a passenger or an object in the rear seats.

The staffing can be enriched with radars for detecting vehicles in blind spots and when exiting a seat in reverse, a 360-degree camera that monitors the surroundings of the vehicle and level 2 autonomous driving systems. combining adaptive cruise control with reading road signs and staying in the lane.

The family vocation of the Tonale is validated by a trunk volume of 500 liters and a generous rear space, past a cramped accessibility.

the Italian SUV aligns with the standards of the segment, notably receiving six airbags, automatic emergency braking with recognition of pedestrians and cyclists, detection of drowsiness, the presence of a passenger or an object in the rear seats.

The family vocation of the Tonale is validated by a trunk volume of 500 liters and a generous rear space, past a cramped accessibility.

automatic emergency braking with recognition of pedestrians and cyclists, detection of drowsiness, the presence of a passenger or an object in the rear seats.

The family vocation of the Tonale is validated by a trunk volume of 500 liters and a generous rear space, past a cramped accessibility.

automatic emergency braking with recognition of pedestrians and cyclists, detection of drowsiness, the presence of a passenger or an object in the rear seats.

The family vocation of the Tonale is validated by a trunk volume of 500 liters and a generous rear space, past a cramped accessibility.

The Tonale honors its coat of arms: as on the latest models in the range and at Ferrari, the firing button is placed on the steering wheel.

What follows yields to the realism of our time.

In our case, it wakes up not a twin-shaft, twin-ignition mechanism but a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder 160 horsepower 48 V light hybridization. 35,400 euros), without the variable geometry turbo.

Note that the manufacturer has kept a 1.6 l, 130 hp diesel for large wheels.

For its part, electrification is based on an alternator-starter and an electric motor of 15 kW (20 hp) and 55 Nm of torque powered by a 0.77 kWh battery.

It never discharges completely.

On deceleration, below 15 km/h, i.e. when approaching a traffic light,

it is not uncommon to switch to electric.

The performances are satisfactory but the sportiness praised by Alfa Romeo deserves a higher range of seat adjustments, more consistent steering (force feedback too light) and a faster 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

Alfa Romeo

By switching to the Sport mode of the DNA system, we find a little of this reactivity which befits a vehicle adorned with the biscione, but it is at the expense of comfort, degraded on a bumpy road.

Regardless of mode, the suspension has gained in firmness over the Jeep.

With the Veloce finish, damping becomes adaptive.

We will particularly appreciate being able to deactivate the lane keeping assistant in direct access and have Brembo braking based on fixed calipers with four pistons.

On the other hand, the direction indicator stalk is located too close to the gearbox management paddle.

Back in town, the maneuvers have to deal with a small turning radius.

In the end, approval does not reach market benchmarks.

An observation that may come to question the Q4 plug-in hybrid version launched in early 2023. Developed on the basis of the electrified Compass, it will offer no less than 275 hp and 62 km of electric range.

For companies, the Tonale should also have the 190 and 240 hp versions of the American.

Our opinion

Alfa Romeo

The Tonale does not revolutionize its category, but by attacking for the first time in its history the most fashionable segment of the market, Alfa Romeo is acquiring serious assets to put an end to its crossing of the desert.

To reassure consumers, the manufacturer even goes so far as to extend the warranty to 5 years or 200,000 km.

It is combined with a tamper-proof digital maintenance logbook based on NFT technology and helping to support the residual value of the vehicle.

A first in the automotive sector.

Technical sheet

Engines: 4-cyl.

1,469 cc turbo petrol + 1 electric motor

Power: 160 hp at 5,750 rpm

Torque: 240 Nm from 1,500 to 3,000 rpm

Transmission: Traction, Auto box.

7-speed dual clutch.

Dimensions (L/W/H): 4528 × 1841 × 1601mm

Trunk: 500 liters