Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce e AWD 2024
“Curvaceous Italian Design / PHEV Practicality”
By Arv Voss
OVERVIEW:
Alfa Romeo has long produced what might well be considered an art form in terms of automotive design with exceptional styling. Anyone doubting this should visit the Alfa Romeo museum in Milan Italy. The subcompact luxury crossover 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce e AWD displays its Italian heritage. The curvaceous bodywork sports four doors and a rear hatch and it is an AWD plug-in electric hybrid featuring an estimated all electric driving range of more than 30 miles. Interestingly, the new Dodge Hornet happens to be a Tonale clone that comes with the same aggressive attitude at a lower price tag. It also features a fully independent suspension and available adaptive shocks.
The 2024 Tonale which comes in four levels of trim ranging in price from $45,440 to $50,935 will compete with BMW’s X1, the GLA250 from Mercedes as well as Volvo’s XC40. Tonale’s models include the base Sprint, the Ti, the Veloce and the Speciale. The Tonale represents Alfa Romeo’s transition toward a future all-electric production lineup.
ENERGY SOURCE:
The Alfa Tonale comes with only one powertrain and AWD as standard fare.The
PHEV draws its motive force from a1.3 liter SOHC 16-valve turbocharged PHEV
inline four cylinder engine plus an AC motor. The engine horses are rated at 180
and the torque measures 199. The AC motor’s output is 121 horsepower with
184 lb-ft of torque– (combined output 285 hp, 347 lb-ft.; 12.0-kWh lithium-ion
battery pack, 7.4-kW onboard charger). The transmission is a 6-speed direct
drive automatic. The Tonale is capable of a 5.5 second 0-60 mph.
A 240-volt home connection will recharge the battery pack in roughly two and a
half hours. The EPA’s estimate for the Tonale is 77 MPGe Depending on driving
habits, terrain and temperature, the Tonale’s total combined range with the 11.2
gallon fuel tank is about 360 miles.
DESIGN STATEMENT:
The Tonale’s overall design is somewhat understated and as a result, your
attention might not be driven to it at first glance, but certain elemental styling
cues such as the multi-circle roto dial wheels, the inverted triangular grille, 3 plus
3 headlight treatment, along with the GT sculpting of the bodywork pulls you in as
far as the exterior is concerned, while the interior that consists of features such
as vegan leather, Alcantara suede touches, three spoke steering wheel, circular
air vents, aluminum trim accents and available paddle shifters are impressive in
their own right. The cabin is essentially upscale in typical Alfa fashion and
borrows the driver focused layout from both the Gulia sedan and Stelvio SUV.
It made its debut as a concept vehicle at the Geneva auto show and took its
sweet time in reaching our shores, but now it’s finally available here and it’s not
simply a diminutive Alfa Stelvio SUV.
CONNECTIVITY AND INFOTAINMENT:
All of the Tonale trim levels come with a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment
system featuring Uconnect 5 software found in other Stellantis vehicles.The
home screen is customizable, offering several configurable interfaces with as
many as five specific user profiles. Other standard features include wireless
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with wireless smart phone charging.
DRIVER ASSISTANCE AND SAFETY FEATURES:
The Tonale serves up a host of standard tech goodies such as automated
emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and lane-
keeping assist, blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert and an available
360-degree camera system.
AS TESTED:
My 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce e AWD sported an exterior finish of Verde
(Green) Fangio metallic with the interior executed in Black perforated leather
seating. The base price was set at $47,495. While the final sticker rose to
$58,990 after factoring in options and the destination charge. A limited warranty
covers four years or 50,000 mile as does the powertrain warranty.
Complimentary maintenance is offered for one year or 10,000 miles.
PERFORMANCE:
The Tonale’s delivers scintillating handling characteristics and worthy
acceleration. Up front, it’s comfortable, in the rear – not as much. Cargo space is
on the sparse side of the equation but acceptable. Technology is smart and the
EV only driving range is decent and the look inside and out is eye-catching.
OUR FINAL TAKE:
The Tonale Veloce is an affordable and sensible plugin hybrid that’s also fun to drive, with selectable driving modes.
SPECIFICATIONS: Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce e AWD-‘24
Vehicle Type: Subcompact 5-door luxury crossover
Base Price: $47,495.
As Tested Price: $58,990.
Motor Size and Type: 1.3 liter SOHC 16-valve turbocharged PHEV inline four cylinder plus an AC motor.
Horsepower (bhp): 180
Torque(lb.-ft.) 199
AC motor 121 hp / 184 lb-ft – (combined output 285 hp, 347 lb-ft.; 12.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, 7.4-kW onboard charger)
Transmission: F/R : 6-speed direct drive automatic.
Brakes: Power-assisted four wheel vemnted discs.
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport All Season – 235/40 ZR20 96Y All Season Extra Load M&S mounted on Grigio 5 joined circle loop (hole) alloy wheels.
Wheelbase: 103.89 inches
Overall Length: 178.30 inches
Width: 74.0 inches
Height: 63.2 inches
Curb Weight: 4,291 lbs.
Fuel Capacity: 11.2 gallon
EPA Mileage Rating: Gas only – 29 MPG / Gas and Electricity combined 77 MPGe
Range: Electric only range – estimated 33 miles.
0-60 mph: 5.5 seconds
