Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV set for Australia in late 2023

Alfa Romeo Australia now intends to launch its first plug-in hybrid in late 2023, with the high-performance Tonale PHEV locked in.

This can be a change from the Italian model, which earlier this yr mentioned it had solely managed to lock in gentle hybrid variations of the Tonale.

The all-wheel drive PHEV is named Tonale Q, and is billed because the efficiency variant of the vary, not merely essentially the most gas environment friendly.

The system pairs a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine hooked as much as the entrance wheels solely, and an electrical motor powering the rear axle, with system energy of 205kW and a claimed zero to 100km/h time of 6.2 seconds.

Its battery is 15.5kWh, providing a claimed mixed cycle EV driving vary of 60km earlier than utilizing a drop of petrol. A 7.4kW AC house wallbox is designed to cost it up in about 2.5 hours, Alfa Romeo provides.

“We’re very excited to see Alfa Romeo transfer in the direction of electrification,” mentioned Alfa Romeo Australia managing director Kevin Flynn.

The Tonale PHEV will arrive 8-10 months after the Tonale Hybrid, which Alfa Romeo mentioned at the moment would arrive in Australia in February 2023 priced between $49,900 and $56,400 earlier than on-road prices.

The Tonale Hybrid makes use of a 1.5-litre engine coupled to a seven-speed DCT, a 15kW motor, and a 48V and 0.8kWh battery, with system outputs of 118kW and 240Nm.

Alfa Romeo claims the Tonale Hybrid can use as little as 5.6L/100km.

The Tonale’s function shall be to function a brand new entry level to the vary, which additionally includes the Giulia and Stelvio. It’s the start line for Alfa’s newest five-year plan, which is able to see the corporate launch a brand new mannequin yearly to 2026.

It’s constructed at a refurbished Stellantis plant in Naples.

Dimensionally, the Tonale is 4530mm lengthy, 1840mm huge and 1600mm tall. That makes it 157mm shorter, 63mm narrower, and 48mm decrease than the Stelvio.

Fairly than utilizing a Stellantis EMP group platform, the Tonale rides on a still-active Fiat Chrysler C-SUV platform – believed to be shared with the Jeep Compass, however with suspension and steering higher suited to sporty driving than soft-roading, and a totally new electrical structure.

Alfa Romeo claims the Tonale has essentially the most direct steering ratio within the class, comes with Brembo braking, out there multi-stage dampers, focused automated wheel braking in corners, and MacPherson strut suspension entrance and rear.

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