Alfa Romeo Tonale Launch Gets Pushed Back Due To Semiconductor Shortage:

One of the key elements in the future plans in the Alfa Romeo lineup is the 2022 Alfa Romeo Tonale. Unveiled in the conceptual form at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show, the Tonale has continued to rack up design awards despite not even going into production yet. The Tonale will add electrification for the first time to the Alfa Romeo lineup, which plans to be fully electrified by 2030.

Recently a number of Tonale prototypes have been spotted testing on public roads in Europe. Some featuring LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) similar to the concept and a far different cry than the images leaked from a supposed styling clinic that was held back in late-2019. 

Earlier this week, we learned that the launch of the Tonale will be postponed due to the ongoing semiconductor shortage that has plagued the automotive industry. Stellantis announced that the all-new Maserati Grecale’s global premiere would also be pushed back from next month to the Spring of 2022 due to the shortage. The Tonale was projected to start production in February of next year, however, the product launch has been pushed back several times over the past year.

It is believed that the Tonale will make its debut with an all-new turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four-cylinder which will be part of the Global Small Engine (GSE) family. The 1.5-liter is believed to be available with either mild-hybrid electric (mHEV) or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) options. We have seen several Stellantis vehicles testing the 1.5-liter in recent months.

The Tonale will be built at the Pomigliano D’Arco Assembly Plant in Italy. It will be joined by another SUV for the Dodge brand dubbed the Hornet soon after production starts. Unlike the Tonale, the Hornet will have the larger turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder from the Global Medium Engine (GME) family. 

These latest spy photos from our friends at GabetzSPYUnit, show what appears to be a more entry-level model of the Tonale when compared to the shots we have seen earlier this month. Smaller than the popular Stelvio, the Tonale enters the highly competitive C-SUV segment, which continues to grow globally.

2022 Alfa Romeo Tonale Prototype Image Gallery:

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