Cheaper Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV approved for local sale

A more affordable Ti version of the 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Plug-In Hybrid looks set to join the Australian line-up, just months after local executives said they would consider such a move with the small luxury SUV if there was demand in the marketplace.

The company hasn’t officially confirmed the new addition, however the model in question has just been homologated by federal authorities for sale in Australia, ready to slot in underneath the current 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce Plug-in Hybrid Q4 that’s priced from $78,500 plus on-road costs.

According to the regulatory documents, the Ti will feature the same PHEV powertrain as the Veloce, combining a 132kW/270Nm 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with a 90kW/250Nm electric motor and a 15.5kWh lithium-ion battery.

The powertrain develops a combined 208kW and will launch the premium small SUV from 0-100km/h in a claimed 6.2 seconds.

WLTP figures point to fuel consumption as low as 1.5L/100km and an EV driving range of up to 60km.

Equipment levels will be a key differentiator between the Ti and Veloce PHEVs, such as smaller 18-inch alloys on the Ti compared to 19s.

The current price difference between mild-hybrid versions of the Tonale Ti and Veloce is $8000 – $50,900 compared to $58,900 plus ORCs – so the Ti PHEV is tipped to start from $70,500 plus ORCs.

Alfa Romeo Australia might also decide to remove features such as the Lusso Pack and sunroof to bring the starting price below $70,000.

Stellantis Australia small and compact segment product manager Bridget Thomson told carsales in February that a more affordable variant to sit below the Tonale Veloce PHEV was a prospect.

“Nothing to confirm today, but I guess we’re going in, seeing what the reaction is from the market and we can very easily react if that [cheaper PHEV variant] … becomes available,” she said.

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