Stellantis CEO & Alfa Romeo CEO Arrive To F1 Race In New Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce!

Yesterday, at the Imola stage of the Formula One (F1) World Championship, the CEO of Stellantis, Carlos Tavares, arrived at the circuit driving the all-new 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce in Misano Blue. Along with Tavares, was Alfa Romeo CEO Jean Philippe Imparato.

Both Stellantis big wigs were there to see the Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN, with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu in competition. The Alfa Romeo F1 Team ORLEN organization is continuing to find its stride as Valtteri Bottas finished 5th and Zhou Guanyu finished 15th. Alfa Romeo currently sits 5th out of 10th in the constructors standing for the 2022 season.

But the racing highlights from the day didn’t keep the two Stellantis higher-ups from showing off the newest Alfa Romeo.

“As a perfect illustration of the competitive spirit that drives Stellantis every day, F1 is an extraordinary innovation lab where the most innovative solutions are tested with the final aim of increasing performance and reliability. For us, it represents an incredible opportunity to transfer this unique know-how on production cars” declares Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis. “Alfa Romeo’s experience in F1 will play a key role in the evolution of the brand towards a new era of electrification and connectivity”. 

Produced at the Pomigliano Assembly Plant in Italy, Alfa Romeo has opened orders for the 2023 Tonale “Edizione Speciale” or Special Edition. The Edizione Speciale will be offered in a front-wheel-drive (FWD) configuration with power coming from the new turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four-cylinder gasoline mild-hybrid (mHEV) engine. The engine will deliver 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. The new e-Hybrid models offer up to 15% lower consumption and CO₂ emissions than the previous gasoline models.

Other features for the Edizione Speciale include the following equipment…

• 20-Inch Sport 5-Hole Aluminum Wheels
• Red Brembo Brake Calipers
• 7-Speed DDCT Dual-Clutch Automatic Transmission
• Matrix Full-LED Headlights with Adaptive System
• Privacy Windows
• Dark Miron Body Kit with Miron Inserts
• Dark Miron V-Shaped Front Grille
• Gloss Black Daytime Light Opening (DLO)
• Aluminum Shift Paddles
• Keyless Entry
• Hands-Free Power Lift Tailgate
• 10.25-Inch Touchscreen Radio with Voice Control & Navigation with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
• Wireless Charging Pad
• Sporty Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
• Ambient Lighting
• Alcantara Seats
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Front & Rear Parking Sensors
• Rearview Camera
• Traffic Sign Recognition

Four exterior colors will be available to choose from. They include Montreal Green, Misano Blue, Alfa Red, and Vesuvius Gray. The starting price for the Tonale Edizione Speciale is €39,000 (or about $43,000 USD) across the European Union (E.U.) where it is available. No plans have been announced just yet if the model will be coming to the North American market.