The Alfa Romeo Tonale is designed for the fleet channel and with an eye on markets with a lot of potential such as Turkey
Test Alfa Romeo Tonale 2022 diesel. I wanted to sink my teeth into the Alfa Romeo Tonale, the first creature of the new Alfa once it is within the Stellantis Group, which means having a successful mix of Italian and French genes.
And we must not forget that Carlos Tavares, CEO of the Stellantis Group, put Jean-Philippe Imparato at the helm of Alfa Romeo, the titan who was able to return Peugeot to glory, based on good design.
In the case of the Biscione brand, the design was not a problem, far from it, because if an Alfa Romeo could be characterized by something, it was by its passionate style, which for the coming years is more than assured thanks to Alejandro Mesonero- Romanos, the director of Design of the Italian firm.
However, what Alfa Romeo did lack was a portfolio and engines. The first step in this direction is this new SUV, compact in size, and that rivals real roosters.
The second fundamental factor was the one referring to the engines, especially electrified ones. Also solved, because when the new Alfa Romeo Tonale was presented, it did so with the 160 hp Tonale hybrid (MHEV), and shortly, drawing on the great offer available within the consortium, it will add a plug-in hybrid engine.
But the world of the automobile does not only include Europe, where legislators have bet everything on the electric car, but the rest of the world also plays a fundamental role. So much so that Imparato himself recently explained that he expects that in the coming years 50% of sales will come from outside Europe.
And for the latter, cars like the Tonale diesel SUV are a pillar on which to leverage. Especially in countries like Turkey, a market with tremendous potential and where Alfa Romeo wants to gain market share. And to achieve this, the cursed fuel in Europe, diesel, enjoys a lot of prestige.
That is why the first test of the Alfa Romeo Tonale diesel was held in Istanbul, the city where Europe and Asia go hand in hand.
In any case, it should be noted that those responsible for Alfa Romeo are also committed to diesel for the fleet channel, in which this fuel is a good ally.
design and interior
There is little to highlight about the design of the Alfa Romeo Tonale diesel because it does not differ from the Tonale hybrid. Of course, I must admit that the designers have done a great job, and although with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio it has already been shown that the Italian firm knows how to make SUVs, I have stayed a thousand times before with an Alfa Romeo Giulia. I won’t get tired of repeating that for tastes, the colors…
As for the interior, the Tonale has taken a giant leap at least from a technological point of view, because now there is no longer a screen so small that it is almost useless; no, now mount a 22” screen.
It should be noted on the technological level that the Tonale is the most tech Alfa Romeo in history and is the first car with NFT (Non Fungible Token), that is, with all the history and data in the Blockchain, which makes it impossible for its mileage is manipulable, for example.
In addition, there are good materials everywhere, of great perceived quality and to the touch. I also like that the start button is on the same steering wheel, which is a nod to the sports genes that have always characterized the Biscione signature.
Likewise, the diesel Tonale also has the DNA driving mode system, next to the gear lever and close to the driver’s hand.
The space in the rear seats is correct for an adult of 1.83 m as is the case of the person who signs these lines.
This is how your engine works and benefits
The Tonale diesel mounts the 1.6 engine with 130 hp and 320 Nm, which accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.9 seconds and reaches 194 km/h. With this engine, the Tonale achieves an approved average consumption of 5.3 l/100 km and emissions of 138 g of CO2 per 100 km.
It should be noted that the Alfa Romeo Tonale diesel is associated with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
dynamic behavior
As soon as it starts, its diesel spirit is noticeable, so despite the fact that a lot of work has been done on the soundproofing section, the truth is that the petroleum sound is present.
Its 130 CV a priori should be more than enough, but once I start the march it seems to me that it is somewhat scarce. It lacks drive. It’s only when you switch to D (Dynamic) in DNA modes that he brings out his nerve. But it is an insufficient nerve, especially if you go with three passengers and the air conditioning is activated, as was my case.
I also miss the cams. You can change with the lever, but it’s a bit of a nuisance. The cams would come in handy. And it is that the automatic change takes time to rise in relation and on some occasions it seems as if the third relation were very long.
Its torque is supposed to be available from 1,500rpm but I find it a bit sluggish at low revs. At high speed its diesel soul is noticeable and it does not sit well with such an elegant design.
As for consumption, the result that the trip computer gave used the nomenclature km/l.
In this sense, the consumption for a journey of 86.5 km –with many climbs and many curves that required going at a high speed, plus the three occupants and the air conditioning activated– was 12.6 km/litre, which translates to 7.9l/100 km. Perhaps a somewhat high value for a diesel.
Not even if it was the Tonale Veloce…
Prices and rivals
The diesel Alfa Romeo Tonale is available from 38,100 euros, and in this sense it has to deal with real top rivals such as the Hyundai Tucson, the Volvo XC40 or the VW Tiguan.
Nor should we forget another important rival of the Tonale: the Range Rover Evoque.
conclusion
The best
Design, technological deployment never before seen in an Alfa
Worst
Sound of diesel engine idling, somewhat high consumption