阿尔法罗密欧 Tonale 1.5L 涡轮增压 MHEV Veloce 评测:引领电气化之路
The glamorous Tonale is both inside and out, while introducing electrification to Alfa Romeo.
This is the first MHEV sold by Alfa Romeo in Singapore.
What we liked:
The concept car has a beautiful appearance
Good interior quality
What we don't like is:
The MHEV drivetrain needs to be further refined
Digital interior touchpoints are a bit lagging
It is believed that Alfa Romeo can produce a car as beautiful as the Tonale. It looks like it has just stepped off the concept platform of the Frankfurt Motor Show, with clean sheet metal, slim headlights, and a body with no superfluous details.
The Tonale aims to bring Alfa Romeo into the world of compact SUVs that it has not yet ventured into, and for obvious reasons, the Tonale is a very important model for the brand. It targets the hot SUV market, and it's a more affordable market, which could make the Tonale a good source of revenue for Alfa Romeo to live on.
Electrified Alfa?
Tonale also touches on another hot topic – electrification. While it's not exactly an electric vehicle, its 1.5-liter turbocharged engine is paired with a mild 48-volt hybrid (MHEV) system to provide propulsion when the fossil fuel burner is turned off. It produces 160 hp and 240 Nm of power while keeping the weight at a reasonable 1,525 kg. With a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, the car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.8 seconds. This is the first MHEV sold by Alpha in Singapore.
What is the interior of the Alfa Romeo Tonale?
The interior design is more traditional, but it feels stylish and well-made. A Harmon Kardon sound system and ventilated front seats come standard, while column-mounted aluminum paddle shifters feel good. However, while there have been attempts to go digital, Alpha has done a better job of what is actually touchable. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster looks good, but it's a bit laggy, as does the 10.25-inch infotainment system. But both the leather and metal trim make it feel like it's a cut above the competition.
What was the Alfa Romeo Tonale driving like?
Turn the wheel and you'll be amazed at how light it feels, considering the brand's sporty heritage. The car has a stiff ride, but it's still acceptable for everyday driving. So far, it's not bad. However, the main factor that dominates the driving experience is the drivetrain.
As an MHEV, there may be some expected quirks, such as a delay in throttle response. Under normal driving conditions, the power transmission mode is best described as indirect. You can feel it when electric assist is needed, and the switching of the ICE part of the drivetrain doesn't feel as refined as it should be. This seems to be greatly improved in dynamic mode ("DNA" mode) as progress is smoother. Perhaps with a few fine-tuning of the MHEV system, the Tonale can reach its full potential. That is, it has enough power that the car will sprint eagerly if needed.
I could see the appeal of the Tonale, and fans were immediately impressed when they saw its appearance. I have high hopes for this car, and it really makes a good impression of its overall quality. It only needs to update its internal digital contacts and "normal" drivetrain to make buyers more convincing.