Alfa Romeo Stelvio & Tonale Veloce
Caught between a rock and a hard place...
My Lifestyle / My Purpose / My Car
How we fervently wish that the advocates of petrol, ACDC, hydrogen, and all other energy types could find a way out of this challenging predicament they currently face, situated squarely between an immovable obstacle and a daunting challenge. Acknowledging the rich history of automotive passion, as vividly exemplified by the Alfa Romeo brand, it's disheartening to witness this uncomfortable juncture. This predicament, akin to being "between a rock and a hard place," is readily apparent in the transition from the exhilarating current models like the Stelvio and the Giulia (which, regrettably, we haven't had the privilege of driving yet) to their latest model, the Tonale. This transition is part of a broader shift towards the 2025 manufacturing aspirations, a direction that has been more or less forced upon them and other automakers.
Before we reluctantly returned the Stelvio to Ian Loubser, a fleetmanger for Stellantis in the Western Cape, we savoured seven days of extreme driving ecstasy. However, the arrival of the Tonale crashed our high expectations, leaving us disillusioned. It's important to clarify that we're not opposed to progressive transitions toward cleaner fuels. In fact, we're far from being traditional petrol heads. To define a "petrol head," it's someone who possesses an excessive interest in or an unwavering devotion to car travel. We are individuals who strive to provide insights about vehicles that align with your needs and preferences, aiming to identify the perfect car for your lifestyle.
Different strokes for different folks – that's the essence of the mixed emotions we experienced after driving both these Alfa Romeos. Let's commence with the Stelvio.
Have you ever encountered a new Stelvio driver or owner without a radiant smile? It's a rare sight. We, too, were swept away by the euphoria, to the extent that we were actively seeking excuses to go for another drive. The Stelvio epitomizes the understanding of being enliven, truly alive when cocooned in the world of automotive poetry in motion. It's a vehicle that, regrettably, many may miss the chance to experience due to the myriad of challenges in the current market. However, for those fortunate enough to take the wheel, it might necessitate a trip to your bank manager to authorize the exchange of those R1.2 million new reserve bank notes, making it an exclusive addition to your garage.
If you assume that we're mere flatterers seeking recognition, we encourage you to be the judge and experience the Stelvio for yourself. The moment you set the wheels in motion, the car establishes a connection with you. No, it's not a 400 HP supercar, but the 206 kW / 280 BHP 2.0L Turbo engine performs admirably. Every aspect of the chassis and the direct steering keeps you searching for the next bend in the road. The sophisticated cabin enhances the feeling of being one step closer to the Stelvio Pass, which was built in the 1820s, after which Alfa Romeo introduced its Stelvio sports utility vehicle at the 2016 Los Angeles Motor Show. It's no surprise that the Stelvio Pass was selected by the British car show Top Gear as the "greatest driving road in the world."
With the superb all-wheel-drive system, you can be certain that the Stelvio embraces both gravel and tarmac. Our journey to Klipbokkop 4x4 Academy, during the inaugural "Bakkie of the Year" competition, led us through a series of memorable tests that would make for a great story around the campfire. In conclusion, we are thrilled by the meticulous attention to the driver's experience, which warrants an entire symphony of praises. Our hope is that Stellantis aligns this offering with a buy-back guarantee, a practice observed by other manufacturers who stand by their cars. This would ensure that there are no expensive delays in part imports, a problem faced in the past. Moreover, we hope that Alfa Romeo takes proactive measures to engage more with the public, as this vehicle truly deserves to be a more common sight on our roads.
Following the high of the Stelvio, we entered the realm of the first new production line for Alfa in six years, with the ambition to produce solely electric vehicles after 2025.
Introducing the Tonale Veloce
I was accompanied by my auto mechanic friend, Hennie Kriel, a specialist in the luxury vehicle segment, who embarked on an inspection with me. His insights, rooted in years of automotive experience, revealed subtle yet significant long-term implications that were visible to the naked eye. It's almost incomprehensible to think that Alfa allowed such a vehicle to undergo review, given issues like the loose and easily movable center console or shifter segment. These minor design elements failed to align with the impeccable standards we've come to expect from Alfa Romeo, a car manufacturer with a rich history spanning over a century.
Adding to our disappointment was the underwhelming performance of the 1.5L Turbo Hybrid VGT engine, producing a mere 118 kW / 160 HP, which did little justice to Alfa's illustrious history of high-performance vehicles. With a claimed combined fuel consumption of 9.8L/100km, one will most definitely not fit this vehicle in the category of being economical.
Our hearts go out not only to Alfa Romeo but to the entire automotive industry, caught in a vice grip to produce vehicles that align with the “greener fuel agenda”. While we agree that there must be progress towards cleaner, more healthy forms of energy and fuels, we believe this transition comes at a significant global cost, driven by a minority group that seems to disregard the elementary science lesson of photosynthesis. The Tonale, with its elegant design, remains true to Alfa's design philosophy and offers promising concepts and theoretical value. However, it falls short, in our opinion, of embodying the Alfa brand we've grown accustomed to. Loaded with technology across the board, including 5-star NCAP safety, driver alert systems, adaptive speed and distance monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto as standard features, the Tonale boasts the latest technological features but all the amazing tools and paraphernalia does not deserve an Alfa badge without it offering real DNA. The loyal Alfa enthusiasts, known for their passion for performance and astute eye for cars that will increase in value, rather than not have a solid resale market, may find themselves in a dilemma. In the current landscape of compact Sports Utility Vehicles teeming with options, particularly so for the hybrid category, it would have been great if Alfa could consider equipping the Tonale with the same 2.0L Stelvio engine or adjust its pricing strategy to offer the vehicle a competitive edge. Priced just below R780,000, one may find ample reasons to scrutinize it as a discerning market.
This is a subjective oversight, so do not take our word for facts, if you are looking at a Hybrid option in the Comact Suv market, take the Tonale for a test drive whilst you also look at the following options.
Haval Jolion 1.5 Hybrid Luxury from R549.950
Toyota RAV 2.5 Hybrid from R833 300
Toyota Corrola Cross Hybrid 1.8 XR HEV from R527 200