Alfa Romeo has unveiled its latest vehicle, the Tonale compact SUV.

Packed with state-of-the-art tech and available in Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid versions, the Tonale not only looks great – which you would expect from Alfa Romeo – but also looks to deliver the goods in an automotive landscape that is becoming stacked with electrified, high-tech vehicles.

While not all markets will have access to all variants, the Tonale debuts with a range of powerplants. At launch, the entry-level Tonale will be a 97kW engine Hybrid version, with the engine paired with a 7-speed Alfa Romeo TCT transmission and 48-volt, 15kW/55Nm electric motor.

There’s also the 1.5-litre 120kW Hybrid VGT (Variable-Geometry Turbo) engine, also paired with the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and 15kW/55Nm electric motor. The company says this set-up offers start-up and travel in electric mode at low speeds and when parking and cruising.

Top performance comes with the 205kW Plug-in Hybrid Q4, which has a 15.5kWh battery and clocks up 0-100 km/h acceleration in 6.2 seconds while also offering pure electric range of up to 80km. To complete the engine range, there’s a front-wheel-drive, 1.6-litre, 97kW /320Nm diesel variant.

Other technologies see top-level connectivity and an all-new infotainment system for the Tonale.

Major new features include built-in Amazon Alexa voice assistant features and an all-new infotainment system with a customisable Android operating system and 4G connectivity that allows for Over-the-Air (OTA) updates. The system includes a fully digital 12.3-inch screen, and a main 10.25-inch touchscreen unit.

Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) include Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Centering and Traffic Jam Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Drowsy Driver Detection, Blind Spot Detection, and Rear Cross Path Detection.

One odd innovation comes in the shape of non-fungible token (NFT) technology, with Alfa Romeo becoming the first carmaker to link a car with an NFT digital certificate. The technology is based on the “blockchain card” concept, a non-modifiable record of the main stages in the life of a vehicle, and Alfa says that this can be used as a guarantee that the car has been properly maintained.

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (March 2022)

14 March 2022