To all those who click, there is a message: we drove the Alpha Tonale and he ...

You can say that the Tonale is not exactly Alfa Romeo, you can not argue that it is exactly what this manufacturer needs right now in a confrontation with Mercedes, BMW, Audi and even Volvo

Keenan Cohen

10/05/2022

Tuesday, 10 May 2022, 08:43 Updated: 08:50

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Alfa Romeo Tonale (Manufacturer)

It has been several years since Alfa Romeo, the manufacturer that knew more ups, downs and twists than the roads around the launch site at Lake Como has been in great and problematic condition.

It's great because when it comes to its image and identity, the two models it's selling in recent years - the Stelvio and the Julia are two very accurate vehicles.

The Stelvio is one of the best in his team when it comes to sportiness and dynamism and the Julia, at least in my opinion - is the best of its competitors.

And when it comes to image in Alpha - it has always been the asset on which it has based itself.

In this respect, as a brand it is also more loyal to the ethos of driving pleasure than most environmental manufacturers.

More on Walla!

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To the full article

So far great, as for the problematic, these two models are very unique.

Unique in their platform, in engines, components, manufacturing, in their customer base and more - and this is something that if you are not a real manufacturer, but really rich, you just do not do today in the automotive industry.

If Volkswagen has an engine, it should fit as many models on offer as possible, and if Ford has a fuel pump, it will have to fit as many cars as possible and we have not said a word about common and flexible platforms.

Alpha, as part of a huge concern must invest money to stay alive (Photo: Manufacturer's website)

And when today it is under the super brand "Stalantis" created from the union of PSA, FCA and includes a variety of vehicles, from Fiat 500 tram to Ram TRX - and above the store is the sign "under new management" it is clear that this business must change.

To change yes, but not at the cost of deleting the identity.

And she's invited to look at Lancia and ask herself if she wants to cum like her.

So this maker must start making money not in the future, but yesterday and that's clear.

And for those who do not know yet - the fastest way today to make money - is in cocaine smuggling.

But if you're in the car industry, the solution is to cut development costs and join the hottest category on the market - these two things Tonale does.

The curves, the grill, everything says it alpha! (Photo: Manufacturer's website)

Tonala is the little brother of the Stelvio, so it is in the case of the mountain passes after which they are named, so it is in the range of Alpha models.

A small brother, but one who technically carries very little of the elder's DNA.

The exterior design is immediately recognizable as an alpha, not only as an alpha, but also in its spirit - it is full of curves, sporty, carries the hallmarks of this manufacturer from the bow to the tail and even in the examples of "phone dial" rims.

One could argue about the rather generic side profile, but this is pretty much the critique of almost every vehicle in their segment.

Could be a little more creative in profile, 20-inch rims are not recommended (Photo: Manufacturer's website)

If there’s one place he leaps into an area where Alpha doesn’t play a role today, it’s in the cabin.

Because with all due respect to Julia and Stelvio - if there is a gap between them and the competition it is in their cabin.

Here?

Here the story is different.

Its look is contemporary, with a combination of metal, metallic plastic and leather - but without drifting into the cold and futuristic look districts.

Part of this is because of the right dose of combination between 10.25-inch screen operation (excellent resolution and response speed) and physical buttons for the air conditioning system and driving mode selector.

What further contributes to this pleasant feeling inside is the little caress to the nostalgia gland made by the digital dashboard (12.3 inches) whose font font is that of the dashboards in the classic Alps.

Modern design, but not too cold or technological (Photo: Manufacturer's website)

The feeling in the driver's seat is of a vehicle that is very "wrapped" around the driver, which is usually the way of a polite car journalist saying it is crowded, but that is not the case this time, because he is not.

This is a feeling that stems mainly from the high center console and A-beams that are in a rear position and at a relatively sharp angle.

It also makes us feel like we are driving a vehicle that is larger than its true dimensions.

The quality of the materials is good and so is the level of equipment, at least in the Volucha version - the highest of the three trim levels of the model (underneath are the Ti and the Sprint - they are really strong in nostalgia).

Huge gear levers which is really a part of Alpha and I love it, there are a variety of standard USC and C sockets, compatibility for Android and Apple, voice operation and support for Google's voice assistant, there are also features of remote control in the smart home and opening and closing the vehicle remotely Using the app.

In Alpha you see a world where a courier arrives by car and after verification, the car can be unlocked so that he can leave a package in it even without us having to be there physically.

A short sitting in the back reveals a reasonable space, not something unusual in relation to its group despite a wheelbase of 264 cm, less than that of the Volvo XC40 for example which offers 270 cm.

Behind the seat is a 500-liter trunk, which also puts it in a good place in the middle.

The fonts?

Of the old Alps (Photo: Manufacturer's website)

In terms of engines, the Tonala is the first step in Alfa Romeo's 0-0 to 2027 strategy and if that sounds like a logic puzzle to you then here's the explanation - according to this manufacturer's vision and its very decisive CEO Jean-Philippe Imprato, Alpha is coming out For a journey with 0 electrified models today, it will reach 0 pollutant emissions in 2027. I want to say - at a rate of about one model per year, Alfa Romeo intends to abandon internal combustion engines completely (free marketing gimmick from me: give customers a vial with oil to Dripping under the car in memory of the good old days. And I was allowed, I had alpha). Imprato, who attended the launch itself, a very rare event in the automotive industry that only testifies to the importance of this car to the manufacturer, not only reiterated this commitment but also detailed the schedule The exact.

Which is mainly that around May of each year another model is supposed to come out.

Even behind his identification as an immediate alpha (Photo: Manufacturer's website)

In the first phase Alpha starts with hybrid engines.

The ones we encountered at launch are a 1.5-liter, turbocharged at two power levels, 130 and 160 hp, when we drove more powerfully. Advance with the intention of integrating into hybrid propulsion units and operates in the Miller cycle method. , So use less fuel and still get a full piston move. The price of these economical engines is lower power output which is felt mainly at low rpm (do we burn less fuel remember?) "Covers" this weak point.

Another special point about this engine is the use of a turbocharger in a hybrid engine - something quite rare in the industry.

By the way turbo, this one of the 160 hp version uses a supercharger with blades in varying geometry.

In the future, a dual-propulsion version with a 1.3-liter plug-in engine for the front wheels and a rear electric motor with a combined power of 275 hp will also join.

On the roads around Lake Como, the alternatives are to enter the wall, fall off the cliff or run over a cyclist (Photo: manufacturer's website)

The launch conditions were far from those that allow for a real impression of the engine.

But from the little that could be tasted every time we managed to move a few hundred yards without risking a bicycle-shaped decoration on the Tonale’s bumper, a small taste of the engine could be obtained.

In the city and when surfing without depressing the throttle, the relatively modest hybrid system (48V engine) is installed directly on the gearbox that actually disconnects from the gasoline engine and allows movement by electric power only.

It is an impressive patent, a very unacceptable and quite efficient arrangement, with one price - the combination of the petrol engine back to matters less smoothly than in other hybrids in which the electric unit is connected to the engine.

Even the engine itself, despite the sophistication, is not exactly the material from which dreams are made.

As long as you just handle it gently, it's fine, under load it's rough and noisy - not necessarily in a good section.

The same is true of the gearbox, it is a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and as is the case with such gearboxes - give it a relaxed ride and everything is fine.

Extended spreader, fast steering ratio and other patents for improving behavior (Photo: Manufacturer's website)

Even with the use of the Rangeguide / Compass platform - in Alfa Romeo you know what is expected of a vehicle with this manufacturer's logo.

Whoever is responsible for getting Tonale to do it is Domenico Bagansko who is in charge of Alpha for its sporty vehicles.

Domenico, like any good Italian, is unable to stand still, talks a lot with his hands and explains to me about the change in the angle of the McPherson suspension at the front that gives improved sharpness in changes of direction, widening the wheelbase as a way to eliminate understeer and FSD dampers (yes, those of KONI ) That make use of a patent of attenuation that varies according to the "frequency" of the disturbances transmitted from the wheel.

He almost catches my eye when he later explains to me about the steering ratio (the ratio of how many of you turn the steering wheel to the movement of the wheels) which stands at 13.6 - the fastest in its segment.

The brakes are of the Rambo, and in the front-wheel drive versions the Tonale simulates a limited-slip differential action and also torque targeting to improve its ability to enter a turn through them.

Explaining the rigidity of the body in Tonale he is already literally coming out with a string of folk dances of the province of Lombardy and it is hard not to get carried away by his enthusiasm.

I'm writing a meeting with him about the alpha test track the next time I come to Baloko.

But again, with all due respect to Begansko, due to the very limited driving conditions at launch, there have been no opportunities to examine all of these statements in a way that allows for serious insights into its driving characteristics.

But from the little we tasted, it seems that this treatment nevertheless created a tool that responds well to steering turns, and certainly not in a hurry to leave hands or wheels even when challenged with sharp turns.

For more insights on abilities, behavior, comfort and other quibbles - wait for local driving.

With hybrid engines at this stage, with a muscular plug-in version below (Photo: Manufacturer's website)

Alpha wants to see Tonale bring in new-old customers of this manufacturer - those who are not necessarily the high premium customers, but also have an average or average plus-plus income in the order of magnitude of car prices in Israel.

Those who want a different car, with the driving experience and image of the Alpha.

These are the customers who once bought the Juliet, the 147, the 146, the 33 and you can go back to Alpha Secret.

In Europe, they intend to do it with aggressive pricing, with funding plans that will break this story down into easy-to-digest monthly payments.

Meanwhile, in Israel it is difficult to say what the direction will be when negotiations with the manufacturer regarding the price that the importer's symbol will be able to receive have not yet closed.

Their ambition is to be able to put a generously equipped version in the price range of NIS 230,000, which is NIS 50,000-70,000 cheaper than the entry prices of the German trio Mercedes GLA, BMW X1 and Audi Q3, and head to head with the Volvo XC40 and Lexus UX.

Will it work?

In July, the month of her expected arrival in Israel will probably be known for good.

Alpha is looking to return to the cheaper market segments than they are today (Photo: Keinan Cohen)

So yes, if you were to do a poll among millions of Alfa Romeo fans with the question "What is the car you would like to see from Alfa?"

The leading answers were probably a roadster in the spirit of the Spider, or a small coupe as a successor to the Junior.

And yet, in the current state of affairs, there is no more accurate and correct vehicle for the Alpha than the Tonala.

And yes, Alfa Romeo with Tonala is better than the automotive world without Alfa Romeo.

On her great challenges in the next stages of evolution - the transition to electricity she plans - another time.

Tonala, big hopes from the little brother (Photo: manufacturer's website)

On the technical side: Alfa Romeo Tonale 160 Voluccia

Engine, propulsion:

petrol, hybrid, front

1,469

160

24.5

dual-clutch, 7-speed

453

184

160

264

500

8.8 seconds

210 km / h

Audi Q3, Volvo XC40, BMW X1, DS7 Crossback, Cadillac XT4, Mercedes GLA, Lexus UX

Not yet determined

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• Alpha

• Alpha romeo

• Sergeant Major

• Crossover