Finally, a New SUV from Alfa Romeo and We Can’t Wait to Drive It
Connie Peters
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The Electrified Alfa Romeo Tonale SUV will be here for 2023.
I know, I know-patience is a virtue. But I truly can’t wait to see the 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale in person. Mostly because I have a tendency to love Alfa Romeo cars. I fell in love with the design and great looks of the Alfa Romeo Giulia.
It happened again with the performance and driving enjoyment of the Stelvio Quadrifoglio. I’m anticipating my heart’s pitter-pat at Alfa Romeo’s newest model in its lineup, the Tonale. It’s a crossover SUV sized just a bit smaller than the Stelvio. With two engine options, you can even get this with a plug-in hybrid and a range of 30 electric miles.
Combine the power of an electric motor with Italian sportiness and well, I’m just dying to get some driver’s seat time in this one next year.
6 Reasons to Love the 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV
Alfa Romeo Tonale Interior. Photo: Alfa Romeo
Italian Sportiness and Technology Combine to Create Intrigue and Value
Coming for 2023, the Alfa Romeo Tonale will embrace the brand’s Italian sportsmanship, but with electrification and connectivity taking over the driver’s seat.
In a world-wide first, the Tonale will be the first ever vehicle with a NFT (non-fungible token) digital certificate. Based on blockchain technology and uniquely linked, the Tonale NFT certifies the car upon purchase, then evolves to represent its use during the car’s life cycle, with major benefits in terms of protecting residual value. I’m so intrigued and can’t wait to check this out.
For more common in-car technology, the Tonale will have a 10.25″ media touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and charging, plus a 12.3″ driver cluster display. It will also offer an updated user experience system with Android’s automotive operating system and over-air updates.
Do you use Alexa at home? Excellent, because the Tonale will also have home-to-car and car-to-home functionality including in-vehicle Alexa virtual assistant with natural voice capability.
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Alfa Romeo Tonale Dashboard. Photo: Alfa Romeo
Select the PHEV for More Performance and Electric Miles
As for power, the Tonale offers two engine options, both of which will be offered in all-wheel drive. A base Q4 Turbo 2.0 Liter turbo 4-cylinder which will offer 256 horsepower and then the plug-in hybrid 1.3L turbo 4-cylinder with electric motor getting 272 horsepower and an electric range of more than 30 miles. It’s always fun to see how these new hybrids perform, and this news is another reason I’m eagerly anticipating the Tonale’s arrival.
Another cool thing about Alfa is the way they’ve named their drive modes. Alfa cleverly refers to them as Alfa D.N.A. These modes are Dynamic or Dual Power (Sport), Natural, and Advanced Efficiency (Eco) which will remain consistent for the new Tonale. I will try not to drive in Dynamic the whole time.
Check out those wheels! Photo: Alfa Romeo
Sensual Italian Design? We’re Here for it
The words Sensual and Aroused are used several times throughout the Tonale press release, so our interest is naturally piqued. Designed for young, metropolitan drivers, its smaller-than-the Stelvio crossover features look and sound stylish, modern and yes, sensual.
Some design elements of the Tonale we look forward to most are the all-encompassing rear window, a tribute to the 8C Competizione, and in the design of the alloy wheels that reproduce the Alfa Romeo style canon of a telephone dial. I think Alfa Romeo makes the most unique and exciting wheel designs.
I will do my best to be patient. Alfa doesn’t make it easy, but I’m excited. I’m expecting that it’ll be worth the wait!