An electric or Hybridised SUV? The thought barely gets the senses tingling but if there is a brand that can create such a thing that is exciting and accessible it would be Alfa Romeo. Their new SUV has been earmarked for launch in February but the Italian brand has now teased viewers with a glimpse of the Tonale’s face, with some interior shots too in an artistic and brief video.
In Italian fashion, production of the new SUV was delayed, twice, which has afforded the world an opportunity to learn how to pronounce Tonale and not Toe-nail. Simply translating to tonal or to do with tone, the new SUV is set to be the the beginning of the brand’s “La Metamorfosi,” or the metamorphosis in English which signals the important leap into future mobility.
Italian lessons now complete, Alfa Romeo recently confirmed that the launch will go ahead on February 8 at 9:00 AM EST but that hasn’t stopped the heritage steeped marque from releasing a teaser video with a glimpse of the Tonale’s face. That aside, it really is just a snippet which leaves much to the imagination.
The same can be said with the rumoured powertrains for the important SUV that is to slot in just below the impressive Stelvio and compete in a key segment for the brands future success. We could receive a 1.3-liter plug-in hybrid rated at 179 kW or potentially a turbocharged four-cylinder with 97 kW with a mild-hybrid derivative producing 119 kW. A 97 kW diesel is on the cards too!
From the glimpse of the Tonale’s face, what we do know is that it remains iconically Alfa Romeo, with the scudetto grille flanked by similar looking LED headlights to the seductive looking prototype. Spy shots show the vague silhouette with a modern rendition of the trademark teledial rims on low profile tyres.
The Stelvio proved to be an SUV that just didn’t feel like such and more linked to the dynamism of a sedan. So for the family folk out there that still enjoy the engaging experience of a drive packaged in a compact SUV that can comfortably haul family and luggage around, the Tonale may be the answer. Pricing information and all details are expected closer to its launch date which has been scheduled for this year.
