Alfa Romeo officially released its latest SUV Tonale on the evening of the 8th in Italy. As the first new work since the change of ownership Stellantis, Tonale not only shows the value of the brand under the new leadership, but also represents a big step in the reform of the Alfa Romeo brand into a new era.
Rivals locked in cars like the Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40, the Alfa Romeo Tonale, which is not only the first new work after the parent group changed ownership, but also the brand's first step into electrification. In addition, Tonale will be the last Alpha Romeo to adopt the FCA era development platform, which is currently shared with Jeep Renegade, but still has room for pure electrification upgrades.
Transplant the concept car design and introduce many classic brand elements
The production version of The Alpha Romeo Tonale retains most of the design elements of the concept car, as the original manufacturer claimed in the past, and the proportions of graceful curves like water ripples remain unchanged. Alfa Romeo emphasizes that Tonale targets a "young, urban and dynamic consumer" audience, thus paying considerable tribute to the brand's heritage.
Among them, the side line that extends all the way from the rear of the car to the headlights, which the original manufacturer called "GT Line", is a classic design taken from the 8C Competizione. The headlamps in the "3+3" configuration were inspired by the SZ launched in 1989. The front part of the car also features the signature Trilobo design and a unique Scudetto shield. The rim design is a telephone turntable shape that has been reduced since the 1960s to models such as the 33 Stradale.
In the size part, the Tonale is about 4,530 × 1,840×1,600mm, of which the length is larger than the Q3, XC40 and even BMW X1, but the rest of the detailed values have not yet been announced.
The technology is fully loaded and introduces NFTs for the first time
The interior of the cabin is full of technology. Tonale features a 12.3-inch digital meter, plus a central 10.25-inch touch-based in-car console, and supports Amazon Alexa Voice Assistant, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Over-the-air remote updates and a range of driver assistance system settings are included in the on-board mainframe, including ACC active distance maintenance cruise, traffic jam assist, and more.
Notably, Tonale is also the first car in the world to introduce NFTs, linking the car to digital credentials based on blockchain technology. As long as the owner agrees, through a confidential and non-modifiable database, the warranty information of the vehicle at various important stages can be recorded as a guarantee of maintenance and maintenance, which helps to increase the residual value of the vehicle.
MHEV with PHEV power options, the Tonale Q4 has a maximum horsepower of 275 hp
Alfa Romeo currently offers 3 electrified power options for Tonale: 2 Mild Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid. The Mild Hybrid is powered by a 1.5-litre inline 4-cylinder petrol turbo engine with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and front-wheel drive settings, with a 130 hp and 160 hp output options, with the 160 hp output engine featuring a variable geometry turbo for the first time. The 48V battery can drive the P2 motor at low speeds, allowing the engine to temporarily stop running to improve energy efficiency.
The Plug-in Hybrid-powered Tonale Q4 uses a 1.3-litre MultiAir turbo petrol engine derived from fiat 500 to drive the front wheels, builds a 4WD plug-in oil system with a 15.5kWh battery powered by the rear axle motor, and has a combined horsepower output of up to 275 hp, which can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, while providing pure electric endurance of up to 80 km to meet the commuting needs of short to medium distances.
Alfa also claimed that Tonale raised the bar for its peers in terms of driving dynamics. In addition to the 50:50 front and rear counterweight settings, it is also equipped with an FSD frequency-inductive damping variable system and a "real-time response" brake-by-wire system for flexible and direct steering and handling performance.
2027 Transform pure electric brand, Alfa Romeo predicts new cars every year
In addition to Tonale's announcement, Alfa Romeo also announced plans for a new car in the near future. The first all-electric small SUV, the Brennero, is expected to debut in 2025, while Alfa Romeo will transition to an all-electric brand in 2027. What's even more exciting is that from this year until 2030, Alfa Romeo will launch a new car every year.