Tonale fires starting gun for Alfa Romeo revival bid

New Audi Q3 rival is first model in Italian firm’s new era and ushers in first hybrids

- RACHEL BURGESS

Alfa Romeo’s new Tonale marks the renaissance of the Italian brand under new owner Stellantis, in which it must radically overhaul its approach in order to survive.

The compact SUV, a rival to the Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40, is not only the first model to be launched in this new era for Alfa but also its first foray into electrification, which will rapidly take centre stage for the brand. From 2027, Alfa will launch only electric cars.

Following the Tonale’s introduction this year, the brand will launch a new car every year until 2030, according to CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato, who previously ran Peugeot.

Alfa’s first fully electric model, a small SUV understood to be called the Brennero, will arrive in 2025, while a GTV-badged model, rumoured to be an electric four-door coupé, is also expected in the line-up. In addition, there will be replacements for the current Giulia saloon and Stelvio SUV, plus longer-term plans for a sports car (see separate story, p8).

Imparato called the entry-level SUV a “cool car” and confirmed the company is currently considering designs for the model.

On a future GTV in the vein of a four door coupé, Imparato said that so long as the inside is spacious, as electric architectures typically allow, the model is possible. “Next year, we will show a concept that is not very far from the GTV, with enough roominess to fit customer expectations, from 2025 to 2027,” he said.

The Tonale, like the Stelvio, is named after a famous Italian mountain pass, albeit a lower one than that of its bigger SUV sibling.