Stellantis unveils Alfa Romeo Tonale Compact SUV electric version. The news comes along with the automaker’s plans to enter into the electric vehicle segment and the premium market. From 2027 all Alfa Romeo vehicle models will be electric. Â Sales prices are to be revealed before orders open in April this year.
Stellaris was formed last year through the merger of Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot maker PSA. It is also home to 14 brands, including bestseller Jeep, DS, and Lancia in the premium segment and Maserati in the luxury end. The new Alfa Romeo Tonale is based on a former Fiat Chrysler architecture, while the first Stellantis models built on a new shared platform are expected from next year.
However, the launch date has not been announced officially. The new Tonale, to be built at Italy’s Pomigliano plant near Naples, is Alfa Romeo’s first electrified vehicle and is initially offered in mild hybrid as well as diesel engine models. A plug-in hybrid version, with an all-electric range of up to 80 kilometers, will arrive later this year. The Drive reports that the all-electric version will be launched into the market by 2024.
The brand’s head Jean-Philippe Imparato said during a web presentation, “It marks a step in the direction of our group becoming a technology company,” Furthermore, the Tonale includes built-in Amazon Alexa voice assistant features. Owners will be able to choose their car as a delivery spot, allowing couriers to unlock the doors safely and leave a parcel inside the vehicle.
Alpha Romeo lineup
Imparato did not provide details about when an all-electric version could be released. Sales prices are expected to be announced before orders open in April. Some analysts say the Alfa Romeo brand could be part of Stellantis’ strategy in China, the world’s biggest auto market, where it has been lagging behind most competitors.
Imparato has promised a new model release for Alfa Romeo every year to 2026, starting with 2022’s Tonale. This should include a smaller-sized SUV, expected to be built in Poland. Last year Imparato told an Italian dealer’s event, “Alfa Romeo will launch a new model every year until 2026,”
Lancia’s head Luca Napolitano told the same event he had presented Stellantis CEO Carlo Tavares with a 10-year plan for the brand. It has been selling only one model, the small Ypsilon, and only in Italy. The strategy aims to expand the brand to other European markets, including France, Germany and Nordic countries, with a focus on large cities, to complete the group’s premium offer from Alfa Romeo and DS, he said.