Currently reading: New 2022 Alfa Romeo Tonale leaked hours ahead of unveiling

Brand's second SUV and first electrified model have appeared in a video allegedly leaked by Stellantis

The upcoming Alfa Romeo Tonale, a small SUV that will sit below the Stelvio, has appeared in a leaked video hours before its unveiling. 

The video is believed to have been accidentally posted online by Stellantis. It reveals the alleged interior and exterior designs, with an emphasis on the front and rear lighting. 

UPDATE: The Alfa Romeo Tonale has been officially revealed

Also revealed was the digital dials and central infotainment display, as well as blue and green exterior paint colours. 

Alfa Romeo boss Jean-Philippe Imparato had previously given an early look at the Tonale's silhouette in a preview photo on Twitter.

Shown behind the executive team responsible for its design, marketing, manufacturing and specification, the Tonale already looks to bear a close resemblance to its larger sibling. 

Alfa Romeo's new hope for sales success will be unveiled as part of an online (rather than in-person) event.

The Tonale, which follows the Stelvio in taking its name from a famous Italian mountain pass (this one lower and in the Rhaetian Alps), will be the first Alfa Romeo to offer a plug-in hybrid powertrain. â€‹

 

 

The Tonale has been spotted testing in final, production-spec bodywork multiple times ahead of its official reveal, showing a resemblance to the original Geneva motor show concept, but with a number of changes.

At the front, the split between the bonnet and front bumper has grown, accomodating more conventional headlights. The rear window has grown in size, too, while the tail-lights are thicker. The overall proportions remain the same, however. 

The Tonale concept was a surprise unveiling at the Geneva motor show in 2019 and underlines Alfa Romeo's determination to finally hit the 400,000 annual sales target - up from around 150,000 in 2018 - that it has long coveted, according to European brand boss Roberta Zerbi. The car's launch is widely reported to have been pushed back by three months to early 2022, as Alfa CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato was not satisfied with the performance of the PHEV powertrain option, which is lifted from the Tonale's platform-sharing Jeep Renegade 4XE relation. 

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Speaking at the 2019 concept's unveiling, Alfa Romeo Europe boss Roberta Zerbi said: “We expect the Tonale to become our best-selling car. Combined with our other new products, we expect to have a car to suit the needs of around 80% of all European car buyers by 2024, and that puts Alfa in a much stronger position than today.”

Zerbi also claimed back then that the car would reach production with very few changes beyond details such as adding windscreen wipers and switching it from a four to five-seater. “This concept gives a good indication of the production model,” she said. “It is accurate in not just the proportions, but the details, including the telephone dial wheels, the triple headlamps and the dashboard lines.”

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Instead of a 'Dynamic' drive mode as in previous Alfas, the Tonale features a 'Dual Power' option that makes maximum use of both motors Zerbi did confirm that convention petrol - and likely diesel - engines would be offered in the line-up as well. 

Alfa offered few technical details of the car’s set-up, although reports suggest the Tonale will make use of the Jeep Renegade's platform, meaning front-wheel drive is likely. Zerbi refused to be drawn, saying only: “ “We’re looking at architectures that we have in-house.” 

However, then global Alfa Romeo boss Tim Kuniskis promised that the Tonale ”will embrace our core brand principals: advanced engine technology, electrification, distance proportions and stunning Italian design." He claimed: "We will not launch just another CUV. We will launch a CUV as only Alfa can."

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Kuniskis also vowed that the hybrid powertrain would be used to enhance the driving experience, rather than just helping the firm meet CO2 emissions targets. "We've put the driver at the centre, with incredible steering feel," he said. "The Tonale will have a distinct personality and timeless design that evokes the passion of its designers."

The Tonale features styling closely aligned to the larger Stelvio, and the firm says it contains touches referencing previous Alfa models. The concept's 21-inch wheels (which have been obviously downsized for the production car) featured a design inspired by the 33 Stradale, and the firm says the narrow front LED lights reflect the SZ and Brera.

Inside, the Tonale concept made extensive use of leather and Alcantara, with a number of backlit panels. The dashboard features a 12.3-inch digital display screen, with a 10.25-inch central touchscreen. Alfa says that the concept features a new version of its infotainment system, including a new multitasking interface.

James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

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289 8 February 2022

No surprises design wise.

I do wish Alfa Romeo could resolve the front number plate mounting issue.

Few markets have the tiny fron plates of the Italian market (legally), and the enormous wheels look ridiculous on a small car with (visually) tiny brakes. Makes them look the ornaments that they are....wrecking ride on UK roads into the bargain.

If a car is designed in such a way that it only looks 'right' with enormous wheels and super low-profile tyres, then the designer has got it wrong.

Andys 21 February 2022

there is no any front plate mountiung issue, its good looking when its not in middle like in any other car.

superstevie 8 February 2022

I seem to be in a minority and don't particularly like the Guilia or Stelvio. Overall, they are well proportioned, but let down by detailing. This, though, looks like they've made an effort, and looks promising. Look forward to the official pics

rmcondo 4 February 2022

Let's see a comparative Autocar review of the Toe Nail and the Toe Rag, toe to toe.