In the ideal automobile trifecta of performance, economy and little nasty pollution Alfa Romeo has its money on plug-in hybrid electric vehicle technology, with the Tonale Plug-in Hybrid Q4 carrying top weight.
The new edition to the premium SUV line-up has form – sprinting from rest to 100km/h in 6.2 seconds, the ability to travel up to 60 kilometres on electric power alone with 34g/km CO2 tailpipe emissions. Top speed is 135km/h in full electric mode and 206km/h in hybrid.
While the figures speak for themselves, like SUVs of this ilk, the Veloce spec vehicle comes at a hefty price – from $77,500, plus on-road costs. Options of 20-inch alloys add $1500, or two premium paint finishes $1600 or $2500 respectively.
Equipped with the Alfa Q4 all-wheel drive system, the front wheels are powered by the petrol engine, the rear wheels by an electric motor, providing up to 208kW of power. The car takes advantage of a 7.4kW AC on-board charger and a Type 2 Smart Charging Port that enables home AC or public AC charging.
The Tonale Veloce Plug-in Hybrid Q4 is covered by a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty and Alfa Romeo roadside assist support package.
STYLING
On the outside there’s plenty going on with Dark Miron body kit with matte inserts, Dark Miron ‘Scudetto’ front grille finish, Veloce badging and in line with the ‘electrification’, Alfa’s historic logo has been reinterpreted in an elegant elettro-biscione serigraphy on the dark tinted privacy glass left rear window.
Automatic LED matrix headlamps with adaptive beam and dynamic turn indicators share space with gloss black painted power folding heated exterior mirrors with Italian flag.
The Tonale Plug-in Hybrid rolls on 19-inch diamond cut alloy wheels with stand-out Brembo red brake callipers.
INTERIOR
Inside the cabin is luxury all round with perforated black leather-accented seats with embroidered Alfa Romeo logo and dark grey double stitching, plus dark grey accent stitching on front centre armrest and door trims. Front seats are heated and ventilated.
Aluminium door sills, steering wheel-mounted shift paddles and floor pedals add a sporting touch, while customisable ambient lighting has found its place on board from post-September models.
INFOTAINMENT
A 10.25-inch touchscreen taps into infotainment and navigation, while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto join Alfa Connect services and DAB+ digital radio being fed through a supreme 465W 14-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system. There is a wireless charging pad and front and rear USB-A and -C ports.
ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS
The Tonale Plug-in Hybrid Q4 powertrain combines a 132kW 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated with a six-speed automatic transmission providing traction to the front axle with an electric motor supplying 90kW of peak power and 250Nm of torque to the rear axle.
A 306V 15.5kWh lithium-ion battery is good for up to 60km electric range or in tandem with the petrol engine. A 7.4kW AC on-board charger and a Type 2 Smart Charging Port enables domestic AC charging or public AC charging.
Alfa Romeo says it takes less than two-and-a-half hours to fully charge the battery from the on-board system. The test car battery was topped up by 20 per cent in 90 minutes through a home three-pin plug set-up. The local Type 2 public charger required a BYO cable. Sadly, this Tonale was bereft of one.
SAFETY
The Tonale Plug-in Hybrid has earned a five-star Euro safety rating. Nothing from ANCAP yet. Autonomous driving features include active blind spot assist with rear cross
traffic alert, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, forward collision warning,
autonomous emergency braking, lane support system, and driver behaviour alert.
There’s a 360-degree camera with dynamic guidelines, front, rear and side parking sensors and Magic Park, plus traffic sign recognition and intelligent speed control.
DRIVING
Alfa Romeo has attached to the Tonale Plug-in Hybrid that much (over)used term DNA to describe a series of driver assistance systems that point the way to an incomparable driving experience.
From the get-go there’s a hint of excitement from the Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce Plug-in Hybrid, with its instant torque electric motor. And there’s no letting up with a surprising range of advanced automobile systems on offer.
For example, with its rotary drive selector, it is capable of calling on Dynamic, Natural or Advanced efficiency (DNA), plus ESC Off modes, to arouse the interest of any driver. Dynamic has the petrol engine and electric motor combining for sporty performance; Natural produces optimum power with minimum fuel consumption; and Advanced Efficiency uses electric power only for low emissions in city traffic. ESC Off has the driver in full mechanical control of the vehicle in Dynamic mode.
Alfa Link stumps up the suspension with variable damping for optimum handling and comfort, and rear axle geometry comes into action on fast cornering. Then there’s e-Coasting Descent, which intervenes in place of the exhaust brake, even when the throttle is released, to recover energy when slowing, even when the brake pedal is released.
SUMMARY
Alfa Romeo has taken the Tonale Veloce Plug-in beyond the range of the run-of-the-mill petrol/electric hybrid.
RATINGS
Looks: 8/10
Performance: 7/10
Safety: 7/10
Thirst: 5/10
Practicality: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10
Tech: 8/10
Value: 6/10
