The spy photographers caught two different prototypes of the Alfa Romeo Tonale testing in Italy, showing the production body and headlights while covering most of the bodywork and the interior with camouflage. The Tonale compact-sized SUV, unveiled as a concept car back in 2019, will be the very first electrified Alfa Romeo thus a very important model for the Italian brand which will have a fully electric range by 2027. The production version is scheduled to be unveiled in summer 2022, with Alfa Romeo entering the popular C-SUV segment for the first time. The shut lines on the mule and the overall proportions resemble the pre-production prototype seen on a set of leaked photos we posted back in 2019. While we are sure that a couple of details will have changed since then, we expect the final production version to closely follow this design.

The headlights appear to be larger than on the 2019 concept car, but as we can see the LED graphics for the indicators and the DRLs look pretty awesome. The testers  are not wearing production taillights but those are expected to follow in the same pattern, resembling a continuous line from side to side. Other changes compared to the gorgeous concept car include the slightly smaller wheels (though, that will depend on the trim), the more conventional front and rear bumpers, and the redesigned interior that was completely covered in the mules. We expect it to have a digital instrument cluster and a free-standing infotainment touchscreen with physical buttons for the car’s main functions.

 

The Alfa Romeo Tonale will share its platform with the Jeep Compass, while a similar Dodge-badged vehicle will also premiere sometime in 2022 as hinted by Stellantis’ product plan. A delay in the development of the Italian C-SUV occurred early this year, as Alfa Romeo’s new CEO, Jean-Philippe Imparato, reportedly wanted to improve the performance of the PHEV powertrain.

It is reported that the premium C-SUV will excel in handling, with a brand-specific suspension setup paying respect to the dynamics of past Alfa Romeo models. When it launches, it will rival the likes of the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, MINI Countryman, and Volvo XC40. As we approach the release date of the Alfa Romeo Tonale we expect more sightings of development mules that will hopefully wear less camouflage allowing us to see more details of the upcoming electrified SUV.