Alfa Romeo is undergoing a radical metamorphosis, and that means the rapid conversion of the model range to electromobility. In the coming years, the sports brand from the Stellantis group will gradually convert its models to battery operation. According to this plan, the first fully electric Alfa will hit the market next year, and from 2027 all Alfa models will be purely electric. The brand thus assumes a pioneering role within the Group. As a vanguard, the Tonale now comes to customers as a plug-in hybrid with part-time electric and all-wheel drive, which is supposed to do nothing less than “reinvent sportiness,” according to a marketing spokesman.
The developers chose a combination of a 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine with 180 PS (132 kW) and a 90 kW (122 PS) 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 litres, at least in the unrealistic world of laboratory measurements. In fact, the petrol-electric combination requires 4.4 liters for a first ride in northern Italy, a not bad value, but those behind the wheel are wondering once again why the WLTP consumption test determines values that are still so far from reality and 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 is realistic. If electrically powered, the Tonale reaches a top speed of 135 km/h, while 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 at the rear helps here, providing its maximum torque from a standstill.
The person behind the wheel looks at the neat instrument cluster, and as a reminder of “gone times” the two round instruments are packed in so-called egg cups. The exterior design speaks the stylistic language of the brand. Most functions are controlled via the centrally located screen. The front seats are pleasantly contoured, heated and ventilated, and offer good lateral support when the tone is moved in a sporty manner. In the rear, however, things can get tight if tall people have chosen the best seating position for them in the front. Behind the tailgate is a load space that is 115 liters smaller than the conventionally-engined versions and now measures up to 385 litres.
Once in motion, the steering turns out to be very easy: a little more precision would not hurt. On the road, the Tonale gladly accepts the driver’s commands and shows his good-natured side. The power transmission takes on a sometimes quite clear six-speed automatic transmission. The tuning is a successful combination of sporty and comfortable, background noise is kept low, and the audio system contributes to the entertainment. You can choose between the driving programs “Dynamic” adjusts 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 entrance ticket to the environmental zones. The “ECoasting” button slows down the tonal for extra energy.
The Tonale plug-in 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. New is the digital documentation via NFT certificates, with which – with the owner’s consent – the most important data, such as the regular maintenance of the vehicle, can be collected.
The price list of the electrified Tonale starts at 51,000 euros for the Speciale version. The Ti variant costs 52,000 euros, the Veloce changes hands for 54,500 euros. (Walther Wuttke/cen)
