As the first Alfa Romeo, the still young middle-class SUV Tonale is now on the road, at least temporarily, electrically. A 15.5 kWh battery ensures emission-free travel of up to 82 kilometers. The electric motor brings sporty values. However, one pays a high price for a probably short-lived technology.
Cars with a combined drive from a combustion engine and an electric motor have already passed their heyday. Since government subsidies will expire next year, demand for plug-in hybrids is likely to fall significantly. From this point of view, the Italian sports brand Alfa Romeo is late with the new top model of its 4.53 meter long Tonale, which is now competing with such technology. In this respect, the Doppelherz SUV is not the latest craze, but it is the first model on the long march of the traditional brand into an electric future and the first Tonale with all-wheel drive.
Externally, the part-time Stromer does not differ from its exhaust siblings, which were launched in February. In their Internet forums, spoiled Alfisti were somewhat disappointed by the rather modest range of performance of the SUV, which only reached 118 kW/160 hp. The new promises a remedy. The combination of 1.3-liter turbo petrol engine and electric motor together produces 206 kW/280 hp. So, on paper, the world is right again. Also because the Tonale is now a four-wheel drive vehicle. The surprisingly powerful electric engine (90 kW/122 hp) exclusively takes over the drive of the rear wheels.
The introductory tour offers ups and downs over countless serpentines in the Italian foothills of the Alps. The two hearts have no trouble with the more than 1.8 ton high-legged vehicle, whose length of 4.53 meters is the size of a VW Tiguan. If you go down again after the summit, the petrol engine switches off when hybrid mode is activated, and the battery is recharged by driving downhill.
The same applies on level ground when the accelerator pedal is lifted or when braking. This is the case in almost all hybrid models from many manufacturers. The bottom line is that the on-board accountant reports an average consumption of 6.6 liters. This is miles away from the standard consumption of 1.4 liters, but okay for a 280 hp car. However, we only turned onto the Autobahn for a short distance. With the heavier gas foot that is usual there, the electric motor serves more as a boost than as an opportunity to save money. This works better in the city, where the Tonale can travel up to 82 kilometers electrically. In the mix it is 69 kilometers.
According to Alfa, the most important development goal of the Tonale was its “efficient sportiness”, which is to be refined by a rotary switch above the automatic selector lever. The “Dynamic” setting is intended for rapid progress. Here, the electronics donate the full power, especially for corner twists or overtaking, where things really get going in the all-wheel drive vehicle. Nevertheless, it takes some practice to be able to experience the full power of the two engines from the seat. The electronics should be sharpened here.
The same applies to the much too easy steering. It tarnishes the aiming accuracy and lacks clear feedback. This is exactly what the traditional target group wants from an Alfa. The “extended efficiency” setting, on the other hand, works well. It forces the Tonale to move using only electrical energy, which is important for future zero-emission zones in cities.
The many assistants are up to date. Distance radar, high-resolution camera with a 360-degree all-round view, cross-traffic detection even when reversing and much more are in some cases even standard. In addition, the Alfa is always online, various functions can be operated by voice via Alexa and updates can also be uploaded online, as with smartphones. The on-board charger can handle 7.5 kW on the wall box. So the Tonale has to be docked for a good two and a half hours in order to strengthen the 15.5 kWh battery.
First, the rechargeable Tonale starts with two versions and generous equipment. 52,000 euros are due for the “TI” and 54,500 euros for the top model Veloce. That’s a good 10,000 euros more than for comparable combustion engines, but also only 4,000 euros more than for the larger Stelvio with 147 kW/200 hp.
And Tonale customers have to live with a limitation. Since the battery takes up space, they have to do without more than 100 liters of storage space. 385 liters remain behind the rear seats for luggage.
Specifications – Alfa Romeo Tonale Plug-in Hybrid Q4