Alfa Romeo announced its ‘Metamorfosi’ into the future with the launch of the Tonale — a hybrid SUV with NFT tech and up to 275 HP on tap!
The Italian marquee is one of the most respected automakers due to its rich history in motorsports and classic cars in the 20th century, such as the Spider, Guilia, and GTV6. Unfortunately, Alfa Romeo suffered a lull in recent years due to stiff competition and innovation in the auto industry.
However, with the brand currently thriving under the Stellantis umbrella, it set its eyes on the future by leveraging upcoming technologies and infusing classic Italian proportions to carve a niche in the marketplace. The first product from the fresh lease of life goes by the alias ‘Tonale.’
Quintessential Alfa Proportions
Drawing inspiration from the already sweet-looking Stelvio and Giulia, the Tonale appeals to purists and practical minds.
Right off the bat, the Tonale is easily recognizable as an Alfa Romeo with the unmistakable triangular intake grille followed by triple W-style DRLs and LEDs that look classy and tasteful. A separate turtle-snap-shaped radiator grille and the G-line that runs from the boot to the tail lights nicely complement the overall design.
Moving to the sides, Tonale’s design language further embodies the Alfa philosophy with a sleek and aerodynamic roofline and an evolution of the circular rim design that sets it apart from other automakers. Over to the back, the taillights mimic the front-end with W-style lights, connected by a single light bar and the Alfa Romeo logo in the middle. Classy as always.
State-of-the-Art Plug-In Hybrid Powertrain Option
Following the footsteps of the auto industry’s future, Alfa Romeo also aligned itself to offer a range of hybrid powertrains to new-age customers.
In its base and mild hybrid configurations, the Tonale comes with a 2.0-liter turbo engine producing 256 hp and a 9-speed auto. Meanwhile, the flagship Tonale receives a plug-in hybrid powertrain comprising a super-peppy 1.3-liter turbo that develops a cracking 180 hp. In place of a 7-speed DCT auto, it utilizes a 6-speed torque converter that drives the front wheels. However, a single 75 hp electric motor moves the rear axle, powered by a 15.5-kWh battery. According to Alfa Romeo, that should be enough for a 50-mile all-electric range in urban conditions. Both powertrain options come standard with a Q4 AWD system.
More importantly, the plug-in hybrid model can also put a smile on the driver’s face; thanks to a combined output of 272 hp, the 0-62 mph sprint takes just 6.2 seconds, making it one of the quickest compact SUVs.
Advanced Cabin Tech Merged with a Classic Alfa Romeo Design
The core part of the brand’s metamorphosis lies in the interior experience of the Tonale.
Inside the cabin, there is an exquisite driver-centered dashboard layout with 22.5 inches of interactive screen to play with. The digital driver’s display showcases essential information, but also Alfa’s old-school analog-looking dials.
The 10.25-inch infotainment system is loaded with connected features like wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa. Moreover, the Tonale also houses a first-of-its-kind NFT blockchain technology; it logs data throughout the car’s manufacturing process and ownership history in the form of unique and untampered blocks of code.
The Tonale also comes with a Level 2 autonomous capable ADAS, emergency braking, driver alerting system, blind-spot detection, pedestrian warning systems, and adaptive cruise control.
The SUV will be manufactured in the latest Giambattista Vico plant in Pomigliano, upgraded with the newest automated lines to move things much faster. The Alfa Romeo Tonale plug-in hybrid will hit dealerships in April, with the rest of the range arriving later this year.
Stay tuned for further pricing information!
Gallery: Alfa Romeo Tonale
