Alfa Romeo is committed to a radical metamorphosis, and that means the rapid conversion of the model range towards electromobility. In the coming years, the sporty brand in the Stellantis Group will gradually convert its models to battery operation. According to this plan, the first all-electric Alfa will come onto the market next year, and from 2027 onwards all Alfa models will be exclusively electric. The brand thus assumes a pioneering role within the Group. As a vanguard, the Tonale is now coming to customers as a plug-in hybrid with part-time electric and all-wheel drive, which is intended to do no less than “reinvent sportiness”, according to a marketing spokesman.
The developers chose a combination of a 1.3 liter four-cylinder engine with 180 hp (132 kW) and a 90 kW (122 hp) electric motor on the rear axle for the drive. This results in a system output of 280 hp (206 kW). The result is a value of 1.48 liters, at least in the unrealistic world of laboratory measurements. In fact, the petrol-electric combination requires 4.4 liters for a first lap in northern Italy – not a bad value, but the person behind the wheel is once again wondering why the WLTP consumption test determines values that are still so far from reality are removed.
The 15.5 kWh battery is hidden in the floor of the car, which should enable an electric range of 80 kilometers in city traffic. On average, according to Alfa, the electrified Tonale can travel 60 kilometers – around 50 kilometers are realistic. When powered electrically, the Tonale reaches a maximum speed of 135 km/h, and in hybrid mode the top speed is 206 km/h. It takes 6.2 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h. The electric motor in the rear helps here, providing its maximum torque from a standing start.
The person behind the wheel looks at the tidy instrumentation, and as a reminder of “bygone times” the two round instruments are packed in the so-called egg cups. The exterior design speaks the design language of the brand. Most functions are controlled via the centrally located screen. The front seats are pleasantly shaped, can be heated and ventilated and offer good lateral support when the tonale is moved in a sporty manner. In the rear, on the other hand, things can get tight if tall people have chosen the best seating position for them in the front. Behind the tailgate there is a cargo space that is 115 liters smaller than in the conventionally powered versions and now reaches 385 liters.
Once in motion, the steering turns out to be very easy – a little more precision would not be bad. On the road, the Tonale willingly implements the driver’s commands and shows its good-natured side. The power transmission takes over a sometimes quite clearly switching six-speed automatic. The tuning is a successful combination of sporty and comfortable, the background noise is restrained, and the audio system contributes to the entertainment. You can choose between the driving programs “Dynamic” tunes the steering more directly for a sporty driving style, and with “Natural” the all-wheel drive is activated. Finally, the “Advanced Efficiency” mode is the entry ticket into environmental zones. The “ECoasting” button slows down the tonal to gain additional energy.
The plug-in Tonale is equipped with the latest assistance systems and enables level 2 autonomous driving. And, of course, electronic helpers such as the voice assistant Alexa are on board. A new feature is the digital documentation by means of NFT certificates, with which – subject to the owner’s consent – the most important data, such as the regular maintenance of the vehicle, can be collected.
The price list for the electrified Tonale starts at 51,000 euros for the Speciale version. The Ti variant costs 52,000 euros, and the Veloce changes hands for 54,500 euros. (Walther Wuttke/cen)