Don’t get too excited by one vehicle doubling the sales for Alfa Romeo; this brand does not sell at a high rate compared to other brands in the market. Still, the thought that the 2023 Tonale SUV could account for such a strong leap in sales is significant. Such a bold statement makes us wonder what’s so special about the Tonale that it could impact the overall success of this luxury brand.

Simple extrapolation is all Alfa Romeo needs

As reported by Automotive News Europe, the projection of doubled sales comes from the numbers discussed by Alfa CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato. With the compact SUV segment accounting for 2.5 to 3 million vehicles sold per year in Europe alone, a move to more than 100,000 isn’t a giant leap. This is where Alfa Romeo will be if the 2023 Tonale can double global sales for the brand.

What is the 2023 Alfa Romeo Tonale?

When this vehicle arrives, it’s going to represent more than one step forward for Alfa Romeo. The Tonale is the first compact SUV offered by this brand, making it only the second SUV ever to wear the Alfa badge. While being the first in its class, this little SUV marks the first step forward toward an all-electric lineup. Currently, Alfa Romeo intends to switch to an all-electric lineup by 2027.

According to MotorTrend, the new Tonale SUV brings three full-hybrid and traditional powertrains with gas or diesel fueling the engine. This new model is a stylish way to create the groundwork for the future of electrified Alfa Romeo vehicles. The diesel model will not make it to the United States.

The powertrains of this luxury compact SUV

We will see two powertrains offered for the Alfa Romeo Tonale. The big news is the plug-in hybrid model, which is the first for this brand. Car and Driver tells us the PHEV powertrain is a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine plus a 121-horsepower electric motor situated on the rear axle. The gas engine makes 180 horsepower to give this system a combined output of 272 horsepower to all four wheels.

The Tonale PHEV uses a six-speed automatic transmission and can give you up to 30 miles of electric driving. Three selectable drive modes give you the experience desired. These modes are Natural, Advanced Efficiency, and Dynamic.

If you want to drive this Alfa Romeo SUV, but you don’t want the hybrid model, there’s a Tonale for you too. The gasoline-online powertrain gives us a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. You’ll have 256 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft. of torque while also enjoying the benefits of standard AWD.

Looking inside the Alfa Romeo Tonale

When you open the doors to this new luxury SUV, you’ll see a sizeable 10.3-inch center touchscreen operating the Uconnect 5 infotainment system. Tech items are abundant in this SUV, with items you’ll admire, including:

• 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wireless phone charging
• Amazon Alexa
• Remote engine and locking functions
• Over-the-air updates
• NFT digital certificate
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane-keep assist
•  Automatic emergency braking
• Traffic Jam Assist

What is the NFT digital certificate?

You might have heard this term being tossed around but aren’t sure what it means yet. This system will record vehicle data throughout the car’s lifecycle. This system acts as a certificate to show the Alfa Romeo Tonale is properly maintained. This should improve the vehicle’s residual value, unless an owner chooses to perform maintenance themselves, which will not be recorded.

More powertrain arriving for the Tonale SUV

Order books will open near the end of this year, giving potential owners a chance to put their names on the list. A regular hybrid and a full-electric model will arrive in the following years to join the powertrains offered at the Alfa Rome Tonale launch.