Driving the new plug-in hybrid or PHEV version of Alfa-Romeo’s compact Tonale SUV, available only in the high grade Veloce at $88,200 drive-away, a not insignificant $20,000 more than the similarly specified mild-hybrid Veloce. The plug-in hybrid Tonale mates a 1.3-litre turbo petrol engine and six-speed automatic driving the front wheels and an electric motor and 15.5kWh battery at the rear driving the rear wheels. Despite no physical connection between the two the all-wheel drive experience is smooth and with the electric motor providing max torque from rest the performance noticeably livlier than the mild hybrid Veloce. You get around 60km of pure electric range while the petrol engine returned 8.2L/100km on 95 grade petrol. Charging around 2.5 hours on a typical home charger. Three driving modes available, with regenerative braking recovering battery energy in all three. It features electronic adaptive dampers, controlled by Alfa Romeo’s DNA driving modes, in D for dynamic mode noticeably adjusting powertrain calibration and stiffening the damping. Warranty five-year/unlimited km with battery warranty eight years/160,000km. Service costs $3100 over five years. The drive experience very satisfying but like most plug-in hybrids the exalted purchase price is enough to make most purchasers think twice. I’m David Berthon.

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