Compact SUV debuts hybrid tech behind famous badge.

THE brand that quite potentially has more ‘saviour’ cars littered through its history than any other has finally unwrapped yet another.

Brand hope for the Tonale compact sports utility are clearly expressed – the international introduction overnight called it a metamorphosis vehicle. As always, time will tell.

New Zealand plans for the car, which enters its home market in June, have yet to be shared by national distributor Ateco.

However one potential interest point for Kiwis, given our rising electric-centricies, is that a model arriving three years on from its concept debut, having been delayed mid-way through development when the brand’s latest boss ordered a rework, will option with plug-in hybrid power, a first for this brand.

That derivative runs a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine which comes from Jeep, a sister brand in the Stellantis conglomerate.

This uses the engine to drive the front wheels and an electric motor on the rear axle – hence why it earns a Q4 badge - for peak power of 205kW. Its battery pack has a 15.5kWh capacity (charging in 2.5 hours on a 7.4kW charger) and Alfa quotes an electric-only distance of more than 60km on the WLTP combined cycle.

This version of the Tonale is the heaviest, at 1900kg, yet also the fastest off the line, with a cited 0-100kmh time of 6.2 seconds.

There’s also an entry level hybrid, in front-drive. This uses a turbocharged 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine, a seven-speed dual-clutch 'TCT' automatic gearbox and a 48-volt system including a belt-driven starter-generator and a 15kW/55Nm electric motor. Maximum outputs of 97kW and 240Nm are quoted for the entry version, while a higher-spec option uses a variable geometry turbocharger to produce up to 120kW. The hybrid Tonale can move under electric power alone for short periods.

Alfa is promising decent dynamics, saying the car has 'perfect' weight distribution and the most direct steering system in the sector.

The standard suspension setup uses Frequency Selective Damping, while an adjustable system called Alfa Active Suspension will be offered as an option on most variants. That'll be tied in with the 'D.N.A.' driving mode selector. The chosen setting also affects the electronic differential function and even the braking, which has Brembo components.

Other tech highlights include provision of a new Android operating system and interface. Digital instruments are rendered on a 12.3-inch TFT screen allowing Evolved, Relax and Heritage design themes. The central touchscreen is a 10.25-inch system.

Connectivity is built in and the Amazon Alexa voice assistant is also included. A wide suite of active and passive safety functions is promised, as well.

Also, this is potentially the world’s first car purpose-associated with NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). Alfa Romeo is linking each example of the Tonale with a unique NFT digital certificate. The idea is that this can be updated with the service history and any other data relevant to the car, giving future buyers confidence in its authenticity and, perhaps, future residual values.

Alfa Romeo has been through tough times in recent years, but Stellantis maintains hope it can bring it back to good health.

Last October new boss Jean-Philippe Imparato announced intent to roll out a new model each year to 2026 and also signalled that all Alfa Romeo new vehicles from 2027 will be electric.

Stellantis, formed earlier this year though the merger of Fiat Chrysler and France's PSA, has pooled the Alfa Romeo, Lancia and former PSA's DS brands to cooperate on the premium market.