Driving the new plug-in hybrid or PHEV version of Alfa-Romeo’s compact Tonale
SUV, available only in the high grade Veloce at $88,200 drive-away, a not
insignificant $20,000 more than the similarly specified mild-hybrid Veloce. The
plug-in hybrid Tonale mates a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine and six-speed
automatic driving the front wheels and an electric motor and 15.5kWh battery at
the rear driving the rear wheels. Despite no physical connection between the two
the all-wheel drive experience is smooth and with the electric motor providing
max torque from rest the performance noticeably livlier than the mild hybrid
Veloce. You get around 60km of pure electric range while the petrol engine
returned 8.2L/100km on 95 grade petrol. Charging around 2.5 hours on a typical
home charger. Three driving modes available, with regenerative braking
recovering battery energy in all three. It features electronic adaptive dampers,
controlled by Alfa Romeo’s DNA driving modes, in D for dynamic mode
noticeably adjusting powertrain calibration and stiffening the damping. Warranty
five-year/unlimited km with battery warranty eight years/160,000km. Service costs
$3100 over five years. The drive experience very satisfying but like most plug-in
hybrids the exalted purchase price is enough to make most purchasers think
twice. I’m David Berthon

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