Alfa Romeo Tonale: New competitor for German compact SUV

Created: 02/18/2022, 07:52

By: Sebastian Oppenheimer

Alfa Romeo attacks the BMW X2, the Audi Q3 and the VW Tiguan with the compact SUV Tonale.

The crossover also comes as a plug-in hybrid.

Turin – If there is one thing the Italians can do, it is creating excitement with their new cars.

The Alfa Romeo Tonale was announced, there were prototypes that promised a lot and spy shots.

Now the covers have finally fallen and a very handsome compact SUV is revealed.

Because the Italians can definitely do that: build chic cars.

Especially if you can help yourself to a history of automotive classics.

The tonal designers do this quite openly and do a lot right: The five-hole rims are based on those used by Alfa Romeo in the 1960s for the road version of the Tipo 33 Stradale.

The headlights are similar to those of the Alfa SZ Zagato.

So is the 4

With some design elements of the Alfa Romeo Tonale, the Italians have looked back on their own history.

© Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo Tonale: New competitor for German compact SUV

The neat light also comes with technology such as cornering lights and a light assistant that automatically dims when there is oncoming traffic.

Alfa is talking about a matrix light here, which would mean that other road users would be “grayed out” by the system temporarily deactivating individual modules of the LED headlights.

The driving report will show whether this is actually the case.

The technology of the Tonale comes from the Jeep Compass and its platform is already a few years old.

However, the Italian technicians are doing their best to keep the technology modern and are now finally electrifying the drive train.

(Jeep Compass in the test: finally comfortable - interior weaknesses are history)

If you want your Alfa Romeo Tonale with all-wheel drive, you have to go for the plug-in hybrid version © Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo Tonale: All-wheel drive only for the plug-in version

A new hybrid drive combines a turbocharged 1.5-liter petrol engine, which, thanks to variable turbine geometry, delivers 118 kW/160 hp with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and a 48-volt electric motor, which also contributes 15 kW and 55 Newton meters of torque to the propulsion.

The hybrid version of the new Alfa Romeo Tonale also drives purely electrically.

However, no large e-kilometer jumps should be possible.

A slightly weaker version of the full hybrid delivers 96 kW/130 hp.

If you want all-wheel drive, you have to go for the plug-in hybrid, which puts 202 kW/275 hp on the road and thus 26 kW/35 hp more than in the Jeep Compass.

For the model, which will appear later this year, Alfa Romeo promises to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds,

an electric range of up to 80 kilometers in the city cycle and more than 60 kilometers in the combined cycle and intends to take the lead in the segment.

On a 7.4 kW wall box, the batteries should be refilled after two and a half hours.

The PHEV module has an electric motor on the rear axle and a 1.3-liter MultiAir turbo petrol engine in the front.

However, the Alfisti still have to wait for a fully electric version.

There is a 96 kW / 130 hp diesel with a six-speed dual clutch transmission.

(Audi Q3 45 TFSIe Sportback in the test: the plug-in hybrid is missing an important extra)

The PHEV module has an electric motor on the rear axle and a 1.3-liter MultiAir turbo petrol engine in the front.

However, the Alfisti still have to wait for a fully electric version.

There is a 96 kW / 130 hp diesel with a six-speed dual clutch transmission.

(Audi Q3 45 TFSIe Sportback in the test: the plug-in hybrid is missing an important extra)

The PHEV module has an electric motor on the rear axle and a 1.3-liter MultiAir turbo petrol engine in the front.

However, the Alfisti still have to wait for a fully electric version.

There is a 96 kW / 130 hp diesel with a six-speed dual clutch transmission.

(Audi Q3 45 TFSIe Sportback in the test: the plug-in hybrid is missing an important extra)

Alfa Romeo Tonale: Italians promise 50:50 weight distribution

When it comes to driving dynamics, Alfa wants to set standards and speaks of a perfect 50:50 weight distribution, the most direct steering in the segment and an electronic limited-slip differential for vehicles with front-wheel drive, which should basically be extended ESP.

The electronically controlled shock absorbers, "Dual Stage Valve", come from Marelli, but, as the name suggests, only allow two operating modes: "Comfort" and "Sport".

The integrated braking system (IBS) with Brembo brakes takes care of the deceleration.

This electromechanical system combines the electronic stability control with the mechanical brake, which promises better metering and no vibrations in the brake pedal.

(Lancia Delta is celebrating a comeback – with a crucial difference)

When it comes to infotainment, the Italians have upgraded the Alfa Romeo Tonale.

© Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo Tonale: Upgraded infotainment

The Italians are upgrading the infotainment, which is also urgently needed: Alexa should ensure that voice input is smooth and wireless updates should keep the software up to date.

The combination of a 12.3-inch instrument panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen is standard in the compact segment these days.

A 4G module is supposed to guarantee connectivity and the infotainment is apparently based on the Android operating system, which promises more intuitive operation than with the Giulia and Stelvio so far.

If you want, you can integrate your smartphone via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

When it comes to driving assistants, the Tonale offers the usual features in its class: a blind spot assistant, a rear cross-traffic warning and a 360-degree camera.

There is also an emergency brake assistant, a lane departure warning system, adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition.

The cockpit with the deep-seated round instruments looks good and promises dynamics.

Alfa Romeo is still silent on the price, we suspect around 36,000 euros.