Alfa Romeo Tonale: The Digital One

The rework was worth it: Actually, the Tonale should have hit the market in 2021, but Alfa boss Jean-Philippe Imparato abruptly canceled the premiere to massively improve it. The reason: The Tonale is based on the well-aged Ex-FCA platform "Small Wide" (or SCCS - for Small Common Components and Systems), introduced back in 2005, which also supports the Fiat 500X and the Jeep Compass/Renegade. All vehicles that are okay but no longer set technical standards. Now, the Tonale is longer, wider, and flatter, has more powerful drives, and has received a significant boost in digitalization.

Like the 159 once was: Three headlights and the factory where the Tonale is built

At a length of 4.53 meters and a height of 1.60 meters, the Tonale is subtly longer and flatter than the VW Tiguan. Nevertheless, there is still enough space in the rear, especially since it scores with a wheelbase of 2.63 meters. The trunk, with a smooth 500 liters, is decent – other features like a sliding rear bench or 40:20:40 split seats are left to others. Visually, the tubular instrument caves of the Giulia, 156, 159, and Co. have been retained – the theme with the three headlight units is also derived from the Zagato and 159 and has been wisely reintroduced by Alfa as a new (old) style feature. Alfisti will immediately feel at home in the Tonale – especially since visually, it remains close to the 2019 study. The Tonale, like the 159, is built in Pomigliano d'Arco near Naples.

Engines: One diesel, two mild hybrids, and a plug-in top model

Mechanically, all versions except the 1.6-liter JTD with 130 HP are at least mildly hybridized. For the market launch, two 48-volt mild hybrids with 130 and 160 HP are available. Both combine the 1.5-liter petrol engine with a 15 kW electric motor and 48-volt system. Very slow starting and parking maneuvers can then be briefly done purely electrically by the basic petrol engines – charged through recuperation. The top model will be the plug-in hybrid following slightly later with 275 HP, combining the 1.3-liter petrol engine with a 90 kW strong electric motor on the rear axle. In city traffic, up to 80 purely electric kilometers should be possible thanks to the 15.5 kWh battery, combined still 60 kilometers. Alfa has further enhanced this, which is why the Tonale was "delayed." For comparison: The Jeeps offer 240 HP system power and a 12 kWh battery – and don't feel as powerful in practice as they do on paper. It should take two and a half hours to fully charge using a 7.4 kW charger. There are no manual transmissions anymore: The diesel dispenses its power through a six-speed dual-clutch, the mild-hybrid models work with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and the plug-in hybrid comes with a six-speed torque converter automatic. Only the plug-in hybrid has all-wheel drive; otherwise, all Tonales are front-wheel drive.

Big steps in digitalization

Alfa Romeo wants to explore a new world in digitalization – an area for which the brand has not been particularly known so far: This is to be achieved with a customizable virtual 12.3-inch cockpit, which fundamentally cites the classic Giulia and Berlina graphics of the late 1960s and early 1970s, and the Amazon Alexa voice assistant with extensive connectivity functions. Thanks to the connection to the 4G network, the Android-based infotainment should receive real-time traffic data and can, of course, be updated "over the air." Voice recognition should also have made significant progress. Additionally, there is a 10.25-inch central screen into which Alfa (unfortunately) has relocated many functions. The optional 360-degree camera system is definitely practical, and the Tonale can even park automatically.

World premiere: The digital service booklet 

Additionally, Alfa even treated itself to a small digital world premiere: if willing owners or proprietors agree, the complete vehicle history can be digitally stored as an NFT (Non-Fungible Token) via blockchain in a supposedly tamper-proof manner. The documentation can then be retrieved as a digital certificate, from which Alfa Romeo also expects better resale values, especially if the car is later owned by a third or fourth party. Moreover, it can be used as a mailbox: via the "Secure Delivery Service," courier services can be electronically authorized to open and deposit a delivery, not only in the trunk but anywhere in the vehicle. It should be available for order in the first quarter, with deliveries starting from June 2022. Prices are expected to start at around 30,000 euros, with the plug-in version likely to tend towards 50,000 euros.

What does this mean?

The wait was worth it! Alfa has squeezed the maximum out of the base, even though a purely electric model would have been even nicer. But here, time has slightly overtaken Alfa, especially since the Giulia and Stelvio have not nearly reached the production numbers Alfa Romeo so urgently needed. Accordingly, the Tonale is expected to double Alfa's sales in 2022 – especially as it elegantly combines practicality with Alfa's unique characteristics. Therefore, it is to be hoped that the sales figures of the Tonale are sufficient to give the brand the necessary momentum once again.