Alfa Romeo wants to expand its customer base with brand new ones Tonale SUVin addition to meeting the needs of existing customers who want to downsize.
“The Tonale is in the second best-selling premium segment overall, behind the Stelvio [segment]. So, it’s very important for us to delve into new segments, and open up our product offering to a new range of customers,” product manager for the small and compact product range at Stellantis Australia, Bridget Thomson, told Car Expert.
“But we’re also looking after the Alfisti who like the Giulia and the Stelvio too, but might want to downsize. So we’re not only opening up to a wider customer base and growing brands, but also taking care of those existing customers.”
Ms Thomson said key aspects of the Tonale that had sparked pre-launch interest included a sub-$50,000 starting price – which is $25,000 more affordable than the cheapest Stelvio – although the bulk of early bookings were for fully optioned Tonale Veloces, which work out to over $60,000 before on the road.
About 70 percent of pre-orders are for the Tonale Hybrid Veloce, with buyers showing a preference for Alfa Red and Montreal Green exterior colors – the latter costing $2500.
As of May 30, ahead of the Tonale’s official sales launch in Australia, 50 units of Alfa Romeo’s smallest SUV have been registered – 19 of which were in May, which puts it in second place behind the Stelvio (25 units).
The Italian marque has been in a quiet period leading up to June, pending the arrival of the Tonale and the facelifted versions of the Giulia and Stelvio which arrive this month.
Pricing for the 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale Hybrid starts at $49,900 for the entry-level Ti, and rises to $56,400 on the road for the flagship Veloce.
All versions at launch are powered by a 1.5 liter turbocharged petrol engine coupled with a 48V hybrid system which, unlike most 48V mild hybrids, is able to offer low-speed electric drive.
The output is evaluated at 118kW and 240Nm, fed to the front wheels exclusively via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Alfa Romeo quotes a frugal combined fuel consumption of just 5.6L per 100km.
Later this year, Alfa Romeo Australia will add the Tonale Plug-in Hybrid Q4 to the local range, pairing a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine connected to the front wheels only, and an electric motor powering the rear axle, with system power from 205kW and the claimed 0-100km/h time 6.2 seconds.
The 15.5kWh on-board hybrid battery offers a claimed EV driving range of 60km on the combined cycle. A 7.4kW AC home wall box will charge it in about 2.5 hours.
Stay tuned to CarExpert for our launch review of the Tonale at 05:00 AEST, 16 June!
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