The plug-in hybrid model of its new Tonale small SUV has gone on sale in Australia, priced from a chunky $77,500 earlier than on-roads for the Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV.
The worth places the Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV This fall consistent with full electrical small SUV rivals such because the Volvo XC40 Pure Electrical ($73,990) or Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 ($81,700).
Alfa Tonale consumers can purchase a gentle hybrid petrol Ti model for $49,900, whereas a $56,500 delicate hybird Veloce grade has – drivetrain excluded – equivalent specification and options to the $21,100 pricier Veloce PHEV.
At a time when status manufacturers are cooling on plug-in hybrids and concentrating on full battery electrical SUVs, the Tonale is one thing of a standalone PHEV in phase.
The recently-launched Mazda CX-60 PHEV medium SUV is pushing for premium consumers, and undercuts the Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV with its $72,300 beginning value.
All-wheel-drive and ample efficiency
Whereas the value might show difficult, the all-wheel-drive Tonale PHEV This fall’s specification and vitals increase its attraction.
{Hardware} is a 132kW 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with six-speed auto gearbox over the entrance axle, with the rear axle utilising a 90kW/250Nm electrical motor. These mix for 208kW, and providing a sizzling hatch-like 6.2-second dash to 100km/h
PHEV financial system figures rely very a lot on the use, however the official WLTP quantity is a sipping 1.14L/100km. This makes it essentially the most environment friendly Alfa Romeo from its prolonged historical past
Of much more relevance is the electric-only vary of as much as 60km (WLTP), courtesy of a 15.5kWh lithium-ion battery.
Customary tools features a 7.4kW AC on board charger and a Sort 2 charging port for public charging.
Utilizing a house wallbox charger, Alfa says utilizing peak 7.4kW AC cost will see the battery go from zero to full in lower than 2.5 hours.
Beneficiant inclusions increase the attraction
It’s a putting SUV to have a look at, and whereas the powertrain could also be removed from conventional Alfa Romeo, the Tonale’s type and beauty adhere to the Italian model’s priciples.
The PHEV model features a Darkish Miron physique equipment with matte inserts, 19-inch diamond minimize alloys, full LED Matrix headlights and Brembo pink brake callipers. A patriotic contact for this Italian-made consists of the nation’s flag on the outside mirrors.
Alfa’s energetic dual-stage valve suspension is customary, whereas inside are heated, ventilated and energy entrance seats in perforated black leather-based. Aluminium’s used for the pedals, shift paddles and door sills, whereas there’s customized ambient lighting and a sunroof.
Infotainment’s lined with a ten.25-inch display, , wi-fi CarPlay and Android Auto, wi-fi telephone charging, Harman Kardon audio and 12.3-inch digital driver show.
Security equipment consists of energetic blind spot monitor, rear cross site visitors alert, radar cruise management with cease & go, lane assist, site visitors signal recognition, 360-degree digital camera, all-round park sensors and a self-parking function.
An additional $1500 buys 20-inch gray alloys, paints apart from white are one other $1600, whereas the hero Montreal Inexperienced in our pictures provides $2500 to the invoice.
Alfa Romeo wants the Tonale to promote
There’s little query the cheaper delicate hybrid Tonales will make up the majority of the small SUV gross sales.
And Alfa in Australia must shift a good quantity. The Italian model offered a mere 571 items right here in 2022: it’s lowest quantity for 25 years.
The Tonale PHEV have to be seen as a gateway to Alfa Romeo’s optimistic EV future. By 2027 it plans to ditch combustion engines completely, and solely promote full electrical autos by that date.