New compact fully electric SUV planned at Alfa Romeo
New EV will join Tonale plug-in hybrid SUV unveiled in Geneva
Artificial engine sounds will be included
Alfa Romeo appears to be going all-in on electrified vehicles. According to a report from Autocar, the Italian automaker is planning a second compact SUV with an all-electric powertrain to join the future Alfa Romeo Tonale plug-in hybrid SUV. The Tonale was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2019.
The Tonale is planned for 2021 while the second currently unnamed full EV model would come after. This would be the first fully electric vehicle from Alfa Romeo. Both new sport utility vehicles will bring the automaker back to profitability, or at least that’s the plan over at Alfa.
The Alfa Romeo electric SUV will share its powertrain and platform with Peugeot thanks to the recent PSA merger. Peugeot utilizes a platform called eCMP for electric versions of the 208, 2008, and Vauxhall Corsa. The Vauxhall Corsa-E reaches 7.6 seconds and has a 50-kWh battery that delivers 209 miles of range on the European circuit. Similar performance could be expected of the eventual Alfa Romeo electric vehicle. Autocar also reports that the new EV will include artificial engine sounds to compensate for the quiet electric powertrain.
As for the Tonale, it shares its plug-in hybrid powertrain with Jeep, specifically the Jeep Compass PHEV. A 1.3-litre, turbocharged engine paired with an electric motor is expected to deliver up to 240 horsepower and roughly 50 kilometres of all-electric driving range.
FCA has invested heavily in the electrified future of its brands including Alfa Romeo. Last year, the company confirmed a $1.1 billion plan to bring to market a range of hybrid and electric vehicles included the Tonale.
