Alfa Romeo Tonale has finally been released, a "small" SUV that was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show a few years ago, and this time it didn't disappoint after several ticket jumps by Alfa Romeo.
But what is said here is not disappointing, it is the release itself, but will this car become a blockbuster car because the threshold is lowered, as Alfa Romeo expected?
The Tonale is 4.53 meters long, 1.84 meters tall and 1.6 meters high, imagine how big it is? The Audi Q3 has a length, width and height of 4495 mm, 1848 mm and 1616 mm respectively, which means that the Tonale can actually be counted as a compact SUV, which is about the same size as the Q3.
Tonale's front face uses a standard Alpha Romeo shield grille, which means that your license plate is still to be placed on one side, and the lower surround is cut by the bottom of the shield grille, which looks like the intersection of three petals, and the overall shape is not very visually impressive, like the very small Stelvio – maybe Alfa Romeo planned so.
The interior design can be said to have added technological elements while retaining the tradition, but it is somewhat unusual. Although it uses a 12.3-inch LCD screen and a 10.25-inch central control screen, whether it is the physical buttons on the middle channel or the traditional flavor of the air outlet, or even the case-studded steering wheel and large-size paddles, are all elements of the "old" Alpha Romeo.
In terms of core construction, Tonale has currently launched a hybrid system based on a 1.3T engine, with a maximum system power of 272 horsepower, matching a 6-speed transmission, and this powertrain is more than enough to put on an SUV of this size. In addition, Tonale can also choose a 2.0T pure fuel 4-cylinder engine, with a maximum power of 256 horsepower and a maximum torque of 400 Nm, which is basically the same level of 2.0T as the Volvo B5 and Audi 45TFSI.
From the perspective of the platform, the new Tonale is actually the product of the multi-brand technology sharing of the entire Stellantis Group, and although its chassis has undergone a lot of upgrades and optimizations, it is still the traditional Fiat Chrysler technology, although it claims to have the most accurate steering at the same level, and inherits the sports genes of Alpha Romeo, but after all, Alpha Romeo is indeed a popular brand in many places.
In the Chinese market, considering that a compact SUV like the Tonale still needs to be imported, it is estimated that only enthusiasts will buy it with real money. And Alfa Romeo said that the new Tonale is only officially released for now, and the real mass production and mass sales will not be until later in 2022.