It’s standard practice these days when launching a new car to bring out an expensive launch trim grade designed to sucker star-struck buyers into paying far more than they need to be first behind the wheel. But Alfa Romeo obviously didn’t get the memo. Or maybe the product-planning guys at Alfa Romeo are just being unusually considerate, or perhaps remembering a simpler, more generous time when Porsche would strip weight and equipment out of its cars and charge you less, not more, for the result. Whatever the reason, the launch edition of the Alfa Romeo Tonale, the Tonale Speciale, costs £ 38,995 in the UK, undercutting the £ 39,995 Tonale Ti by £ 1,400.

Alfa hasn’t been mean with the gadgets, every Tonale coming with a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charging pad, dual-zone climate control, auto lights and wipers, keyless go, adaptive cruise control and an array of safety gizmos. But buyers also have the choice between the £ 39,995 Ti and £ 42,495 Veloce trim grades. The more basic car features 18-inch dark-finish, diamond-cut alloy wheels, a satin-chrome “V” bezel on the nose, and black cloth-covered sports seats, while those stumping up the additional £ 2,500 for the Veloce are treated to 19-inch wheels, dark “V” bezel, Veloce badging and body kit and red brake calipers. Veloce cars also come with aluminium pedals, red and black Alcantara upholstery and dual-stage valve (DVS) adaptive dampers.

 

And then there’s the Speciale launch edition, which is designed to look just like the Veloce, but has even bigger wheels (20s are standard), yet it’s the most affordable way into a Tonale. Or it is in the UK, at least. Cars in other markets, including North America, get their cars slightly later than their European counterparts, and will come with a different powertrain mix. The only powertrain available at launch in the UK is a front-wheel drive, mild-hybrid setup that mates a 158 hp variable geometry 1.5-liter petrol engine and seven-speed dual-clutch ‘box with a 48-volt, 20 hp electric motor. Zero to 100 km/h takes an leisurely 8.8 seconds and it’s all puffed out by 210 km/h, but the 44.8 mpg (36.7 mpg US) economy is more impressive.

Other European markets start with a version of the same powertrain making 30 hp less, and most will get a 272 hp all-wheel drive, PHEV flagship later. The U.S. meanwhile, has been earmarked for a non-turbo 2.0-liter turbocharged Tonale featuring all-wheel drive that Alfa thinks is better suited to the North American market.

How does Alfa’s UK Tonale pricing sit with its rivals? The BMW X1 isn’t available with a comparable combination of front-wheel drive and petrol power in Britain, but the Audi Q3 is, and it costs less than the Tonale. Q3 prices kick off at £ 33,205, and even configured to match the Tonale’s equipment tally, still appear to undercut the Alfa. Even more interesting is the fact that the 242 hp PHEV Q3 TFSIe starts at £ 39,385, offering more power and up to 50 km of zero emissions driving.