Alfa Romeo’s long-awaited Tonale crossover may not make its world debut in 2021 in spite of everything. Its launch has reportedly been delayed as a result of the agency’s boss wasn’t happy with the proposed plug-in hybrid drivetrain.
Nameless sources accustomed to the corporate’s product plan advised business commerce journal Automotive News that the Tonale will not start arriving in showrooms till the primary a part of 2022 on the earliest, a delay of not less than three months. It was tentatively scheduled to enter manufacturing on the outskirts of Naples, Italy, in October 2021. Whereas setbacks aren’t unusual, the identical sources declare the soft-roader’s postponement was ordered by Jean-Philippe Imparato, who was appointed Alfa Romeo’s chief govt in January 2021 when FCA merged with PSA to type Stellantis.
Previously on the head of Peugeot, Imparato demanded higher efficiency from the hybrid powertrain that will probably be supplied on some variants after seeing the Tonale for the primary time in January 2021. Whether or not he desires extra electrical vary, extra horsepower, or each stays to be seen. Alfa Romeo hasn’t launched technical particulars, however Automotive Information reported the crossover will probably be carefully associated to the Jeep Compass, so it might get its American cousin’s gasoline-electric plug-in expertise. It consists of a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine and an electrical motor mounted over the rear axle. The system’s whole output checks in at 190 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, although a 240-horse variant of the drivetrain is obtainable on extra upscale trim ranges. Electrical vary is rated at 31 miles at as much as 81 mph, and hitting 60 mph from a cease takes 7.5 seconds, a good determine for the phase.
One other level that is unclear is how engineers will enhance the Tonale’s numbers. Making tweaks to Jeep’s 4xe powertrain is an choice; borrowing elements from the Peugeot-Citroën components bin is one other, although the latter answer is tougher to implement than the previous. Lower than a 12 months away from manufacturing, even with the delay taken into consideration, the Tonale is generally locked in. Photographs taken throughout a design clinic (pictured) counsel it has modified considerably since we found it as an idea in 2019. Redesigning the engine bay to accommodate a unique four-cylinder or reengineering the construction to suit an even bigger battery might value tens of millions of improvement {dollars}.
Alfa Romeo hasn’t commented on the report, however the Tonale would not seem on a timeline of 2021 launches that Stellantis despatched to its suppliers final month. When it lastly lands, the crossover will probably be positioned on the backside of the Italian agency’s vary, in a spot previously occupied by the Giulietta hatchback, and it’ll very possible grow to be Alfa Romeo’s best-selling mannequin. Whether or not will probably be supplied in the US hasn’t been clarified but.
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