Alfa Romeo hasn’t launched a model on the market since 2016… and here is the ‘Tonale’. One of the latest “hybrid” thermal cars from the Italian brand, a subsidiary of Stellantis.
Alfa Romeo Tonale // Source: Stellantis
The subsidiary of the international Stellantis group, Alfa Romeo, presented its latest model “Tonale”. However, the first versions of this SUV are still hybrids. But that’s the end: from 2025, all new Alfa Romeo models will be purely electric.
For the moment, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid
First, a quick word on the Tonale: since Alfa Romeo entered a first phase of electrification with the hybrid SUV, the Italian company sees the Tonale as ” the symbol of brand transformation “. In addition to two mild-hybrid variants, the Tonale will launch this year as a plug-in hybrid-only version, rated at 202 kW and with an electric range of over 60 kilometres.
Alfa Romeo Tonale // Source: Stellantis
Both mild hybrids are just 48-volt systems. Despite these powertrains, the Tonale is capable of driving completely electrically. However, this will only be possible at very low speeds, for example when maneuvering and parking. The mild hybrid (for mild hybrid, MHEV) will be available in two versions, with a power of 96 and the other with 188 kW. The 1.5 liter gasoline engine (1.5 Hybrid VGT for Variable Geometry Turbo) is here associated with a 15 kW electric motor.
Alfa Romeo Tonale // Source: Stellantis
The plug-in hybrid version equipped with all-wheel drive is much more powerful. With a displacement of 1.3 liters, the gasoline engine here is smaller than in the mild hybrids: it is there only for the front wheels. The electric motor sits on the rear axle, which makes it possible to have all-wheel drive. The total system power is 202 kW and the 4.53 meter long SUV is said to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds.
Alfa Romeo Tonale // Source: Stellantis
The autonomy of 60 kilometers can theoretically be reached in the combined cycle. In town, you can even reach 80 kilometers. This is made possible by a 15.5 kWh battery which can be charged by cable with a maximum output of 7.4 kW (alternating current). This sets the Tonale apart from the smaller Jeep Renegade and Compass (177kW max power and 11.4kWh battery) as well as the Jeep Wrangler 4xe (17.7kWh battery for 280kW power). As a reminder, Jeep is part of the Stellantis group.
Level 2 autonomy, Android, Alexa and NFT
As for driving aids, the Alfa Romeo Tonale can become a level 2 autonomous vehicle. That is to say, it will have adaptive cruise control, lane following, a traffic jam assistant and emergency braking. With all this technology, the vehicle can manage its movement, adapt it to the speed of traffic and start autonomously after a stop. This SUV can also count on blind spot sensors, a driver fatigue detector or cross traffic alert with a rear camera.
For the infotainment system, you have to rely on a 12.3-inch screen on which the dashboard is displayed and a central 10.2-inch touch screen. The latter bases its operation on a custom Android operating system (it’s not Android Automotive OS) compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with 4G connectivity and OTA (Over-The-Air, directly in the car remotely). In addition, the brand promises a fully customizable environment with widgets to access the different functions.
Alfa Romeo Tonale // Source: Stellantis
These features are accompanied by Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant. With this service, the driver can control certain functions of the car and even add products to the shopping list or control their connected home while the car is in motion. It can also be configured to turn the vehicle into a secure collection point, such as opening the doors remotely for a courier to drop your package inside.
Alfa Romeo Tonale // Source: Stellantis
Finally… it is also about NFT. According to the brand, the Italian SUV is the first model to have this technology. With the consent of the buyer, the vehicle is tied to an NFT in which certain parameters of the car are collected, which serves as a guarantee of its future condition.
For the moment, no date of availability or delivery.
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