Alfa Romeo hasn’t unveiled a new model since the Stelvio back in 2016 and currently offers a two-model range, but this is going to change pretty soon with the debut of the long-awaited Tonale in mid-2022. The plug-in hybrid C-SUV will be Alfa’s first electrified model and a couple of test cars were spied testing in cold weather with less camouflage than before, revealing the Tonale’s production taillights for the first time.
Prototypes of the Tonale with the production body made their spy debut last August, while the first pictures of the interior and the engine bay surfaced in October. In the latest spy shots, three examples of the SUV can be seen driving around with less camouflage wrap, revealing more of the front and rear ends.
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This is the first time we get to see the shape of the intakes on the front bumper which appears to be an evolution of the Alfa Romeo theme seen on the Quadrifoglio variants of the Giulia and Stelvio, with vertical slits on the sides and a large lower. The latter creates a “floating” effect for the scudetto grille. Other details include the aggressive LED headlights that are connected with the grille through slim intakes, and the heavily sculpted bonnet.
On the profile, the production version of the Tonale gets conventional door handles unlike the hidden units of the concept, but retains the sporty window line and the toned up fenders. At the back, the horizontally-arranged taillights are slightly thicker compared to the 2019 concept car, however, they keep their signature curvy LED graphics that are extended towards the Alfa Romeo badge. The rear bumper looks similar to the larger Stelvio, but the dual exhaust pipes look like they are not visible, most like to communicate the PHEV nature of the Tonale.
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The plug-in hybrid powertrain of the Alfa Romeo Tonale is expected to be similar to the Jeep Compass 4xe, which is also rumored to be shared with a Dodge-branded SUV coming in 2022. This means it will use the turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine, in combination with a rear-mounted electric motor, an automatic transmission, and a battery.
Besides the EV-only zero-emission driving mode which is a must for all PHEVs, the Tonale will likely offer improved performance over the Jeep sibling, honoring Alfa Romeo’s heritage in combination with a more driver-focused suspension and chassis setup. The Jeep 4Xe models are offered in Europe with 187 hp (140 kW / 190 PS) or 237 hp (177 kW / 240 PS), but Alfa Romeo CEO, Jean-Philippe Imparato, wanted better performance from the Tonale, thus he reportedly delayed the model’s debut.
Coming in summer 2022, the Tonale will be the first among several model releases by Alfa Romeo which will have a fully electric range by 2027, after the Giulia/Stelvio duo is discontinued. Rivals for the Tonale will include the plug-in hybrid variants of the BMW X1, Audi Q3, and Mercedes-Benz GLA.
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