In brief:

Alfa releases teaser for Tonale successor
With updated platform and modern powertrain
Arrives here only in two years

Aging quickly: Four years after its initial reveal, Alfa has published a teaser for the Tonale successor, an SUV meant to fill the gap left by the Giulietta and take on Audi Q3, BMW X1 and Mercedes GLA as equals. It fell short, likely because it relied on an older Jeep Compass platform with modifications that did not deliver the qualities expected from a sporty brand like Alfa.

This time it will share a base with a Jeep SUV, but now the third generation with advanced Stellantis platform and powertrains derived from Peugeot. It should also be significantly larger and feature a more modern driver environment. Alfa has released only one image so far, hinting at a coupe-like shape similar to the Audi Q3 Sportback and BMW X2.

The powertrain lineup will likely follow the group norm. The base is a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine with 48V mild-hybrid system and 145 hp, or a plug-in hybrid combining a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a stronger electric motor for 195 hp combined. A 17.9 kWh battery should allow about 85 km of electric range.

A full-electric version will also be offered, Alfa's second zero-emission model after the Junior, with 73 or 93 kWh battery and front motor producing 213 or 231 hp. The larger battery will also power an all-wheel-drive variant with an added rear motor (375 hp) and up to 650 km of range.

What we think: The Tonale sold in Europe at roughly one-third to half the volume of each of the three German rivals. In Israel the situation is no better, with 230 units over three years (2022-2024), about one-tenth the volume of Audi and one-fifth that of BMW and Mercedes.

The Tonale successor will certainly show major improvement thanks to modern platform and powertrains, yet the recurring Alfa issue in recent years is that it is always last to refresh, forcing it to use components nearing replacement. For Alfa to again become a true alternative to the Germans as it was last century, more than launching a suitable model in two years will be required.

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