At a price of R815 900, the Alfa Romeo Tonale 1.5T Hybrid Speciale sits in a relatively strange space between the Hyundai Kona N (811 900) and then a price jump to the Lexus UX 250h EX at R832 900, giving it a reasonably rival-free sandpit to play in.
The first generation Stelvio broke the mould as it were for Alfa Romeo as it branched out of its comfort zone of producing small and sporty cars characterised by a distinctive engine that was carefully (and faithfully) engineered into the cars by the wizards at Centro Stile in Milan.
When the Alfisti had blotted up the dropped expresso from their laps, they realised the Stelvio was as much an Alfa as anything else the company had built – but only larger.
Tonale builds on that and moved Alfa Romeo into a more ‘caring’ mode by including hybrid power in line with global demands for reduced carbon emissions – even if this comes with the loss of that truly distinctive Alfa sound.
Distinctive Alfa Romeo design
The Alfa Romeo Tonale has a modern design, including distinctive Alfa signatures such as 5-hole wheel rims, the cluster in the ‘telescopic’ instrument panel, the 3-spoke sports steering wheel and the sine-curve headlights.
Subtle features keep the Tonale distinctively Alfa Romeo, including the ‘GT Line’ that runs from the rear to the headlights, recalling the forms of the Giulia GT, with the front featuring the ‘Trilobo’ and the Alfa Romeo ‘Scudetto’ shield, which acts as a central focus.
The 3+3’ headlights have a Full-LED Adaptive Matrix and feature an ‘Adaptive Driving Beam’ that constantly adjusts the dipped headlights according to speed and specific driving conditions, with the ‘Glare-Free High Beam Segmented Technology’ automatically detecting traffic in front or travelling in the opposite direction to avoid glare from other cars.
The design of the rear window is a tribute to the 8C Competizione, and the interior strongly focuses on the driver, with easy access to all controls.
Engine configurations and variations
Making it go is a 118kW Hybrid VGT (Variable-Geometry Turbo) engine driving the front wheels through a 7-speed TCT dual-clutch transmission.
The 48-volt 15 kW, 55 Nm ‘P2’ electric motor makes it possible for the 1,5-litre petrol engine to propel the wheels even when the internal combustion engine is turned off and enables startup and travel in electric mode at low speeds and when parking and cruising.
The four-cylinder turbo-charged engine operates on the Miller cycle and has a high compression ratio (12.5:1); a new cylinder head with a compact combustion chamber; dual variable valve timing; and special ‘high-tumble’ intake ducts. It also features the all-new high-pressure direct injection system, operating at up to 350 bars.
All is well and good, but how does it go, you may ask?
Performance and available driving modes
Pretty rapidly, would be the reply. It is almost like having two cars in one, with the Tonale very meek and mild in and out of electric mode in the traffic or hunting for a decent shopping centre parking spot. But the prominent paddle shifters behind the steering wheel hint at a different beast lurking within.
The driving mode selector has specific functions related to the electric powertrain in Tonale. ‘Dynamic’ mode is designed with a calibrated accelerator pedal, ensuring more effective braking and direct steering wheel response.
‘Natural’ mode maintains the best performance and automatically manages the compromise between the electric motor and the internal combustion engine. Meanwhile, the ‘Advance Efficiency’ function ensures maximum energy efficiency in the Hybrid Alfa.
Acceleration to 100 km/h takes around 9,0 seconds, with top speed hovering on the 200 km/h mark, which means it is not an outright sports car but has more than enough capability to defend its Alfa heritage with all the might of its 240 Nm or torque while keeping fuel consumption down below the 6,0 l/100 km level.
With a suspension setup tuned for ‘Alfaformance’, it is agile and will let drivers play happily on the twisty bits without any nasty surprises.
Technology, comfort and convenience
Its front boasts the latest technology and comfort with a digital 12.3-inch screen and the primary 10.25-inch touchscreen unit.
Driver assistance systems include ‘Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control’ (IACC), ‘Lane Centering’ (LC) and ‘Traffic Jam Assist’. The Tonale also features ‘Autonomous Emergency Braking’, ‘Drowsy Driver Detection’, ‘Blind Spot Detection’ and ‘Rear Cross Path Detection’.
Cockpit features include dual-zone air conditioning, a Harmon Kardon sound system with 14 speakers, an electric tailgate, and a wireless charging pad in front of the gear lever.
High levels of sophistication combined with passenger comfort and suitably zesty performance, when needed, make the Tonale a desirable SUV in the grand scheme of things. However, price compared to other options with similar specifications tends to make this a choice for the badge conscious.
