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This is the new Alfa Romeo Tonale, Alfa’s long-awaited compact crossover designed to sit below the Stelvio in the firm’s line-up. Although the looks are inspired by Alfas of old, it’s entirely modern under the skin with not just a decent level of interior tech, but a range of hybrid powertrains including a plug-in hybrid system as used in the Jeep Renegade 4xe.
What will its rivals be?
The Tonale is aiming for small, premium crossovers such as the Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Volvo XC40, so, apart from the styling, it’ll have a job of work to stand out among its highly competent rivals. As of yet, there’s no aggressive, powerful, range-topping Quadrifoglio model to draw in the driving enthusiasts.
Any tech info?
Inside, there’s dual-zone air conditioning, heated and ventilated seats, a 14-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system and Amazon Alexa voice recognition. Facing the driver is a 12.3-inch instrument cluster housed inside a traditional Alfa double-cowled binnacle, while in the middle there’s a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen crowning the centre of the dash.
There’s plenty of driver assistance and safety kit too from par-for-the-course items such as automatic traffic sign recognition and automated emergency braking, right up to adaptive cruise control and lane centring. Semi-automatic parking makes getting in and out of tight spaces that bit easier too, especially when combined with the 360-degree-view camera.
What’s the range like?
There’s a hybrid model for starters employing a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, a 15kW electric motor and a seven-speed automatic gearbox to deliver 130hp to the front wheels. So too is there a 160hp model using the same set-up. The system allows for electric-only driving over short distances such as when stuck in stop-start traffic.
A 130hp diesel engine without hybrid assistance sits in the middle of the range employing a six-speed automatic transmission to drive the front wheels. At the top of the line there’s the 275hp Q4 plug-in hybrid model with a 1.3-litre turbocharged engine, a 15.5kWh battery, all-wheel drive and an electric-only range of around 60km in mixed driving conditions. A full battery charge using a 7.4kWh wall box can be completed, Alfa says, in 2.5 hours.
Expectations?
Alfa’s dealer presence in Ireland is minuscule these days, so if other models such as the Giulia and Stelvio are anything to go by, don’t expect to see too many of these on Irish roads. Saying that, the importer has changed, so perhaps things will improve on that score. For those tempted by the good looks, the Tonale should prove to be a better drive than most compact crossovers with, the company says “perfect” weight distribution, direct steering with plenty of feel and brakes and dampers courtesy of specialists Brembo and Koni, respectively.