Alfa Romeohas finally unveiled the Tonale– the first all-new model from the Milanese marque since the Stelvio in 2016.The petrol-electric hybrid premium compact crossover will compete with the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA and Volvo XC40 when it arrives in South Africa near the end of 2022.

Although it’s officially the first new Alfa Romeo model to be introduced since the formation of the Stellantis Group early in 2021, the Tonaleiis built on shared (Peugeot, Citroen or Opel) underpinnings. Instead, the newcomer, which, like its Stelvio brother, is named after an Italian mountain pass,is based on a modified version of the Fiat 500X/500L, Jeep Compass and Renegade platform.

Alfa Romeo acolyteswill be relieved to see that the production version of the long-awaited Tonale, which is pronounced Toe-nah-ley(we think), is not an overly watered-down version ofthe stunning concept car that debuted at the Geneva Show in 2019. Some would even go so far as to say the newcomer is the most distinctive/least derivative design in the premium compact crossoversegment.

With a length of 4.53 metres, a width of 1.84 metres and a height of 1.6 metres, the Tonale has a low-slung silhouette, with a distinct “GT Line” – that spans from the rear of the car to the outer edges of the headlights and tracesthe base of the side-window glass area, short overhangs, sporty bumpers and characteristic “tele-dial” wheels, which will beavailable sizes ranging from 17- to 20-inches.

The newcomer is instantly recognisable by virtue of its “3+3” full-LED Adaptive Matrix headlights (they’re a nod to those of the classic Sprint Zagato (SZ) and the 159 and its Brera and Spider variants), which incorporate DRLs, dynamic turn signals and a “Welcome and Goodbye” functions and work in conjunction with the brand’s Adaptive Driving Beam and Glare-Free High Beam Segmented Technology.

At the rear, the combined tail-lamp and light bar LED module echoes the design cues of the headlights and forms a “sine curve” that fully wraps around the Italian newcomer’s tailgate.

The sporty theme continues inside the cabin, where the “telescopic” instrument panel behind the 3-spoke sports steering wheel (fitted with aluminium shift paddles, of course) houses a 12.3-inch TFT screen, which is complemented by an Android-powered 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment array, which includes, inter alia, satellite navigation, the Alexa voice assistant and a 360-degree camera view (with dynamic grid). Over-the-air updates, onboard wifi and numerous Alfa Connect Service remote apps are supported.

Other conveniences offered include the new DNA drive-mode selector, which is mounted on one of the uprights above the centre console, dual-zone climate control, ventilated and heated front sports seats, LEDambient light,14-speaker audio system by Harman Kardon, wireless charging pad, a “Semi-Automatic Parking”system, a reverse-view camera and an electronically operated tailgate.

The new model also marks a significant departure for Alfa Romeo, which, until now,has relied mostly on petrol engines in the South African market. Although the Tonale will be available with 2.0-litre turbo-petrol and 1.3-litre turbo-diesel engines, such derivatives will only be offered in some left-hand-drive and European markets respectively. Instead, new petrol-electric powertrains dominate the line-up.

From launch, the Tonale will be offered in hybrid and plug-in hybrid guises with a 1.3-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine in combinationwith a 48V(15 kW/55 Nm) “P2” electric motor.

The entry-levelpetrol-electric mild-hybrid derivative produces 97 kW/240 Nm and drives the Tonale’s front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Middle-of-the-rangeversions feature a variable-geometry turbocharger to produce 119 kW, while the range-topping plug-in hybrid Q4 utilises a 6-speed torque converter transmission and has a combined power output of 205 kW.

In addition to havingan all-wheel-drive configuration, the Plug-in Hybrid Q4 is equipped with a 15.5-kWh battery. Alfa Romeo claims the top-of-the-range Tonale has an electric-only range of up to 80km in the city cycle (and 60 km on the combined cycle), a 0-100 kph acceleration time of 6.2 seconds and that a full battery charge (from depleted) will take 2.5 hours when using a 7.4-kW fast charger.

The newcomer is also said to have 50:50 weight distribution – which is unusual for a front-wheel-drive model – aswell as“the most direct steering ratio in the segment” (13.6). It rides on independent MacPhersonsuspension withFrequency Selective Damping (FSD) technology, while an electronic adaptive suspension is available as an option. An electronic limited-slip differential is standard, while stopping power comes courtesy of a brake-by-wire setup (Integrated Brake System), with ventilated discs and Brembo 4-piston calipers fitted at the front.

Apart from being equipped with the usual active and passive safety features, the Tonale is available with various advanced driver assistance systems, such as intelligent adaptive cruise- and speed control, lane centring and traffic-jam assist, as well as autonomous emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot detection, rear cross-path detection, plusdrowsy driver detection.

We’ll bring you more details about the expected South African line-up of the Tonale as soon as more information becomes available.

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