ALFA ROMEO TONALE — DYNAMIC DRIVING

By Piero Facchin

Alfa Romeo has presented the all-new Tonale, the brand’s first model in six years, a CUV offered with two powertrains: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder internal combustion engine rated at 268 hp, and a PHEV version with a 1.3-liter Multi-air four-cylinder engine mated to a 90 kW electric motor for a combined output of 285 hp and an impressive 347 lb-ft of torque.

We had the opportunity to test-drive the Tonale in Rochester, Michigan, and first impressions are positive, with a precise, sporty ride that’s also very smooth when the driver wants it to be. On the Veloce version, the adaptive suspension adjusts to road imperfections.

Finishing materials are of good quality inside the cabin, with two choices of seat upholstery: soft leather or Alcantara leather, both perforated to allow seat ventilation. In front of the driver, inside the “cannocchiale” (which means long view in Italian), there’s an instrument cluster that unfolds onto a 12.3-inch screen that can be configured as desired and, for the nostalgic, can even feature dials reminiscent of good old analog dials.

The U-Connect 5.0 infotainment system is even more user-friendly, with a 10.25-inch central screen that can be configured to suit your needs.

The spirited Tonale is available in Sprint trim, with an entry price of $44,995 for the gasoline model and $54,995 for the PHEV version. The Veloce, meanwhile, retails for $46,495 and $57,495 for the PHEV version. The latter is eligible for $5,000 provincial and $5,000 federal government subsidies. The Tonale will be available from Alfa Romeo dealers this summer.