We’re finally about to get our first official look at a product crucial for Alfa Romeo’s success.
The Alfa Romeo Tonale, the brand’s second SUV and its first electrified model, will be revealed online on February 8, 2022.
The company has released a single teaser with its invitation, which appears to show the tail lights blending in with the lines on a heart rate monitor.
We have a fairly good idea what the production Tonale will look like.
First previewed by a concept at the 2019 Geneva motor show, leaked images (above) published later that year were purportedly of the production model.
However, in early 2021, it was reported Alfa’s boss Jean-Philippe Imparato had delayed the Tonale’s launch as he wanted to get better performance from the crossover’s plug-in hybrid powertrain.
That suggests it could produce more power or have greater electric range than the Jeep Compass 4xe, with which the Tonale will reportedly share its mechanicals.
The Compass 4xe features a plug-in hybrid drivetrain with a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated with a electric motor for the rear axle.
Tonale concept 
There’s a 11.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack that’s good for 48km of pure electric driving according to the WLTP test standard.
Total system output is up to 177kW of power.
Polish site Spidersweb reports the Tonale will measure 4528mm long and 1835mm wide on a 2636mm wheelbase, the latter identical to that of the Compass.
While the Stelvio battles the likes of the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, the Tonale is expected to be Alfa’s rival for the likes of the Audi Q3.
Alfa Romeo has committed to the Australian market despite slow sales, and the Tonale looks set to join the Giulia and Stelvio – now Alfa Romeo’s only two models on sale.
“It is on the roadmap for us,” said Andre Scott, Alfa Romeo Australia’s head of product and marketing, last year.
“It’s clearly the beginning of our electric future.
“That is the line in the sand from a product development perspective that says once Tonale hits, Alfa Romeo is electric.”
It isn’t expected to remain Alfa Romeo’s entry-level SUV for long.
DS3 Crossback 
Peugeot 2008
A smaller SUV, possibly called the Brennero, will reportedly enter production in 2023 alongside new SUVs for Fiat and Jeep.
It’s expected to use Stellantis’ CMP platform, shared with other small crossovers like the Peugeot 2008 and DS3 Crossback.
Like those models, it’ll reportedly offer an electric option, making it Alfa Romeo’s first EV.
Alfa Romeo sold 618 vehicles in Australia in 2021, down 15.8 per cent and overtaken by Genesis (734).
With the demise of the Giulietta, discontinued in 2020 with remaining stock dribbling out in 2021, Alfa Romeo’s most affordable model is now the Giulia which starts almost $30,000 higher.
It remains to be seen how Alfa Romeo will price its new entry-level product.
