Alfa Romeo Tonale to be revealed February 9

The Alfa Romeo Tonale is finally ready to be revealed, with the Italian car-maker confirming the all-new small luxury SUV will make its world debut on February 9 Australian time.

Alfa Romeo’s on-again, off-again rival for the Audi Q3, BMW X1/X2 and Mercedes-Benz GLA was first shown in concept form at the 2019 Geneva motor show, but then put on ice most recently in April 2021 when Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Phillippe Imparato reportedly left dissatisfied with the plug-in hybrid version’s integration.

However, Alfa Romeo has now confirmed it will reveal the production version of the Stelvio’s smaller sibling at 1:00am on February 9.

A spokesperson for Alfa Romeo’s local arm declined to confirm Australian launch timing specifics, but it is understood the Tonale will arrive Down Under at the beginning of 2023 – later than previously expected and a year after its European launch.

Australian officials are set to reveal local powertrain and specification details for the Tonale around mid-2022.

The Tonale will join the larger Stelvio and Giulia sedan in Alfa Romeo’s Australian line-up, finally giving the languishing Italian brand a potential volume-selling option in one of the most popular SUV segments.

While the Stelvio rides on a 2818mm wheelbase and measures about 4690mm long, 1900mm wide and 1650mm wide, the Tonale will be almost as wide and about 4.5 metres long but with shorter overhangs.

Alfa’s new compact SUV is based on the front/all-wheel drive Small Wide 4x4 platform under the Jeep Compass and the discontinued Jeep Renegade, rather than the more expensive rear/all-wheel drive Giorgio platform of the Giulia and Stelvio.

It is understood the Tonale will be available with Stellantis’ electrified 177kW four-cylinder powertrain, which offers up to 50km of zero-emissions driving, making its Alfa’s first plug-in hybrid.

Due to be built at the Pomigliano d'Arco factory in Italy, the Tonale could eventually be joined by an even smaller Alfa SUV, possibly called the Brennero.