Driving Alfa Romeo stylish Tonale SUV – the Italian performance brand’s first small SUV. Two front wheel drive petrol mild hybrids, Ti and Veloce – I drove the highly equipped and sportier Veloce at $57,900, a sharply priced compact performance skewed SUV on larger 19-inch allow wheels. Alfa pairing a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with mild hybrid assistance driving through a seven-speed dual clutch automatic. The Veloce also gaining an electronic adaptive suspension. After years of driving sporty Alfa cars how does the Tonale perform in a small SUV – Alfa’s hybrid system is unique in that it can drive the wheels up to 40km/hour. There’s three designated DNA drive modes - best in the D for Dynamic mode where it’s very lively but in the N or Natural mode and A for Advanced Efficiency mode the transition between hybrid and petrol power at times confuses the dual /clutch automatic – and creates a performance lag. Ride is on the firm side while steering is as good as it gets. Economy, 7L/100km on 95 RON petrol despite some fast open road touring. The Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce won’t appeal to everyone wanting a small premium SUV but it has a certain appeal, my wife actually fell in love with it. I’m David Berthon

Driving Alfa Romeo stylish Tonale SUV – the Italian performance brand’s first small SUV. Two front wheel drive petrol mild hybrids, Ti and Veloce – I drove the highly equipped and sportier Veloce at $57,900, a sharply priced compact performance skewed SUV on larger 19-inch allow wheels. Alfa pairing a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with mild hybrid assistance driving through a seven-speed dual clutch automatic. The Veloce also gaining an electronic adaptive suspension. After years of driving sporty Alfa cars how does the Tonale perform in a small SUV – Alfa’s hybrid system is unique in that it can drive the wheels up to 40km/hour. There’s three designated DNA drive modes - best in the D for Dynamic mode where it’s very lively but in the N or Natural mode and A for Advanced Efficiency mode the transition between hybrid and petrol power at times confuses the dual /clutch automatic – and creates a performance lag. Ride is on the firm side while steering is as good as it gets. Economy, 7L/100km on 95 RON petrol despite some fast open road touring. The Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce won’t appeal to everyone wanting a small premium SUV but it has a certain appeal, my wife actually fell in love with it. I’m David Berthon

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

Motor Torque with David Berthon

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873 

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873&nbsp;

Alfa Romeo’s small Tonale Veloce SUV – sporty and stylish SUV with a difference

Driving Alfa Romeo’s first small SUV today – the stylish Tonale now Alfa Romeo’s biggest seller. The Italian performance brand celebrating its 115th year has struggled here in recent years, but its first compact SUV has a chance to lift the brands profile, prices starting at a rather sharp $49,990 for the Ti model. Step up to the Tonale Veloce and its still very competitive at $57,900 – both models feature a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine paired with mild hybrid assistance driving the front wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch automatic. I tested the better equipped Veloce which gains larger 19-inch wheels, adaptive electronic suspension, Alcantara and faux leather trim and a swag of active safety systems including rear cross traffic alert, and a welcome 360-degree parking camera. The interior best described as cosy and functional with elements of Alfa Romeo sporty character evident in the instrumentation cluster, the Tonale more skewed as a personal urban SUV rather than a small family carrier with rear space tight – seating configured for four adults rather than five. Warranty: five years/unlimited kilometre. The Tonale a premium compact SUV sharply priced, appealingly different and well equipped but how does it drive – details next segment. I’m David Berthon

Driving Alfa Romeo’s first small SUV today – the stylish Tonale now Alfa Romeo’s biggest seller. The Italian performance brand celebrating its 115th year has struggled here in recent years, but its first compact SUV has a chance to lift the brands profile, prices starting at a rather sharp $49,990 for the Ti model. Step up to the Tonale Veloce and its still very competitive at $57,900 – both models feature a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine paired with mild hybrid assistance driving the front wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch automatic. I tested the better equipped Veloce which gains larger 19-inch wheels, adaptive electronic suspension, Alcantara and faux leather trim and a swag of active safety systems including rear cross traffic alert, and a welcome 360-degree parking camera. The interior best described as cosy and functional with elements of Alfa Romeo sporty character evident in the instrumentation cluster, the Tonale more skewed as a personal urban SUV rather than a small family carrier with rear space tight – seating configured for four adults rather than five. Warranty: five years/unlimited kilometre. The Tonale a premium compact SUV sharply priced, appealingly different and well equipped but how does it drive – details next segment. I’m David Berthon

Alfa Romeo’s Tonale Veloce SUV – interesting small premium SUV with Italian flair.

In recent months we’ve seen a number of Chinese electric car imports discount their products. The arrival of more Chinese brands in the next six months is behind the move as the competition intensifies. With the car market already subdued due to cost-of-living pressures and with electric car sales currently on a slide the discounts are set to continue putting pressure on the established competition. Spanish brand Cupra, which arrived on the market here in 2022 with non-negotiable pricing, has indicated it won’t be following the discounting trend with its small Born electric hatch suggesting it is worthy of a price premium – this despite the fact that after getting off with a flying start Cupra sales have slowed, down by 36 per cent against the same time last year – the small Cupra Born showing the biggest decline, down by 43 percent. I’m David Berthon

In recent months we’ve seen a number of Chinese electric car imports discount their products. The arrival of more Chinese brands in the next six months is behind the move as the competition intensifies. With the car market already subdued due to cost-of-living pressures and with electric car sales currently on a slide the discounts are set to continue putting pressure on the established competition. Spanish brand Cupra, which arrived on the market here in 2022 with non-negotiable pricing, has indicated it won’t be following the discounting trend with its small Born electric hatch suggesting it is worthy of a price premium – this despite the fact that after getting off with a flying start Cupra sales have slowed, down by 36 per cent against the same time last year – the small Cupra Born showing the biggest decline, down by 43 percent. I’m David Berthon

The race to the bottom in electric car discounts

Go back several years and electric cars looked to have a big future with a strong surge of early adopters. And it was the same the world over. But this year sales have plateaued leaving many industry pundits pondering as to why. In February, the NRMA conducted an on-line survey with some 2079 motorists about their car buying habits, with a particular focus on EVs. They found that EVs have an image problem which in the eyes of new car buyers makes them seem inferior to internal combustion engined and hybrid vehicles, many are not convinced they’re the most environmentally friendly choice with 68 per cent also believing petrol and diesel vehicles easier to sell. Also found, while EV’s narrow the cost gap in terms of running expenses only 30 per cent of respondents believed they are the most economical option. I’m David Berthon.

Go back several years and electric cars looked to have a big future with a strong surge of early adopters. And it was the same the world over. But this year sales have plateaued leaving many industry pundits pondering as to why. In February, the NRMA conducted an on-line survey with some 2079 motorists about their car buying habits, with a particular focus on EVs. They found that EVs have an image problem which in the eyes of new car buyers makes them seem inferior to internal combustion engined and hybrid vehicles, many are not convinced they’re the most environmentally friendly choice with 68 per cent also believing petrol and diesel vehicles easier to sell. Also found, while EV’s narrow the cost gap in terms of running expenses only 30 per cent of respondents believed they are the most economical option. I’m David Berthon.

Alfa Romeo’s small Tonale Veloce SUV – sporty and stylish SUV with a difference

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