Alfa Romeo Releases Second Teaser For New Tonale C-SUV!

On Friday, the Alfa Romeo brand released another teaser of the upcoming 2022 Alfa Romeo Tonale. The new C-SUV is scheduled to make its world debut on Tuesday, February 8th. It marks the second teaser for the Italian marque’s newest SUV in the last week.

The newest teaser showcases the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship and attention to detail on the Tonale.

Alfa Romeo has said that the Tonale embodies the adventure potential of a premium compact, dynamic sport utility vehicle capable of guaranteeing the adrenaline of sporty driving inherent in the legend of the brand, in urban settings with the same ease.

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Named after the Tonale Pass, not far from the Stelvio Pass in the Alps, is a large natural amphitheater famous for its majestic peaks, the natural spectacle of frothy waterfalls, and snow all year round in a breath-taking natural setting. Directly connected to the Stelvio Pass, excitement and harmony coexist in the Tonale Pass area. The Tonale is an important development under the sign of continuity and geographical proximity, an evolution traced in time in an evocative association.

For the European marketplace, we expect that the all-new Tonale will utilize two powertrain combinations from its platform mates the 2022 Jeep® Renegade and Compass. Those powertrains include a mild-hybrid (mHEV) option for front-wheel-drive (FWD) models and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option for those who want all-wheel-drive (AWD).

For those looking for FWD, there is an all-new turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four-cylinder engine (which is part of the Stellantis Global Small Engine or “GSE” family). The engine delivers 130 horsepower and 176 ft.-lbs. (240 Nm) of torque, mated to a new 7-speed 7HDT300 dual-clutch automatic transmission. The new propulsion system includes a built-in 48-volt 15 kW (20 horsepower) electric motor delivering 41 ft.-lbs. (55 Nm) of torque – equalizing to 99 ft.-lbs. (135 Nm) of torque at gearbox input level – which can propel the wheels even when the internal combustion engine (ICE) is turned off. 

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The new turbocharged 1.5-liter engine has been designed to be the best fit for hybrid usage, to optimize thermodynamics, and therefore to save on fuel consumption. It operates on the Miller cycle which improves thermal efficiency and offers a high compression ratio (12.5:1), a new cylinder head with the compact combustion chamber, dual variable valve timing, and special ‘high-tumble’ intake ducts. Also new is the high-pressure direct injection system, operating at up to 350 bar. The gasoline engine delivers an output of 130 horsepower, while peak torque reaches 176 ft.-lbs. (240 Nm). A Belt-Starter Generator (BSG) is also installed in the gasoline engine, to guarantee fast and silent transitions when restarting.

For those who are wanting the added all-weather security of AWD, there is the PHEV system from the Renegade and Compass 4xe models. In those models, the powertrain integrates two electric motors and an 11.4 kWh battery pack, with a fuel-efficient 1.3-liter turbocharged gasoline engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. This architecture provides two cars in one – a battery-electric vehicle featuring an electric motor and a high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack on the rear axle and a conventional vehicle with an ICE fitted on the front axle.

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Two electric motors, one of which is located on the front axle and coupled to the ICE that, in addition to working in synergy with the engine, can act as a high-voltage generator, as it is necessary. The second motor is located on the rear axle and features reduction gear and integrated differential (also known as the “e-axle”). It delivers 60 horsepower and 250 Nm (or about 184 ft.-lb) of torque, generating traction and recovering energy while braking.

The 11.4 kWh battery pack allows the Renegade and Compass 4xe to travel an average range of 50 kilometers (or 31 miles) in full-electric, zero-emission mode. The hybrid system also includes a power inverter (PIM) housed inside the battery pack, which is also protected from damage. We know that Alfa Romeo’s CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato was not happy with the numbers on the Renegade and Compass 4xe and wanted Stellantis engineers to get even more range out of the system. 

Check back to watch the unveiling LIVE on MoparInsiders on February 8th. Then, we will break down all the details surrounding the newest global offering for the Alfa Romeo brand.