Volvo XC40 – Pulpaddict

Alfa Romeo Tonale PHEV Q4 review

We get to grips with Alfa Romeo’s first plug-in hybrid – the Tonale SUV…

Slotting in below the Stelvio in the Alfa range, the Tonale is arguably one of the best-looking mid-sized crossovers on the market.

It’s athletic and well proportioned, it features some delicious Alfa Romeo design cures, such as the narrow ‘triple’ headlights, trademark shield grille and offset number plate at the front, while its pert rear is endowed with a full-width light bar.

And as you can see, it looks especially good in Montreal Green, though sadly this is a £1,500 option.

Inside, the dashboard design is a successful mix of the old and the new.

A retro-hooded 12.3-inch digital driver’s instrument cluster is standard, with graphics designed to replicate Alfa’s traditional analogue dials. This is complemented by a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Amazon Alexa – which is integrated with a voice assistant.

Refreshingly, it’s not totally minimalist either, so there’s a sprinkling of dials and switches for essentials such as climate control.

Priced from £45,995, the Tonale’s PHEV family crossover’s rivals include the BMW X1, Volvo XC40, Audi Q3, Range Rover Evoque and Lexus NX.

It’s worth noting that these competitors are all in the premium sector, which is exactly where Alfa Romeo is pitching the Tonale – so no pressure there then.

And frankly, the Tonale comes close. It’s well put together and interior quality is, for the most part, good, but it’s let down in a few areas – for instance, the use of harder plastics on the doors.

Overall, the cabin has a sporty feel, but it’s also fairly practical with plenty of space for two adults to sit comfortably in the back. A third can perch in the middle, but they will have to straddle the transmission tunnel. That said, unlike some cars, there is space to place your feet under the front seats.

Boot capacity is a modest 385 litres, expanding to 1,430 litres when the 60:40 split seats are folded, putting it on a par with an average family hatchback.

The Tonale’s plug-in hybrid system is an upgraded version of the powertrain used in the Jeep Compass 4Xe (its Stellantis group cousin). In other words, there’s a 1.3-litre, four-cylinder turbo petrol engine mated to 15.5kWh battery.

Alfa Romeo claims this gives an EV range of up to 43 miles and CO2 emissions as low as 29g/km.

It’s four-wheel drive too, with the electric motor’s 121bhp going to the rear axle, while the petrol engine sends its 178bhp to the front.

A total of 276bhp is generated, resulting in a 0-62mph time of 6.2 seconds. Top speed is 128mph, and (I’m told) it will happily stay in EV mode up until 84mph.

I tested the Tonale Q4 in Veloce spec (£48,495), but there’s also an entry-level Ti.

The Ti version is externally distinguished by a satin chrome V front bezel, 18-inch dark finish diamond cut alloy wheels, a gloss-black body kit, with satin side and front inserts, privacy glass and black painted mirror caps. Inside, there’s black cloth upholstery, a driver’s seat with four-way lumbar adjustment and a leather steering wheel.

The Veloce has a darker V front bezel, Veloce badging and body kit, a gloss black window surround, 19-inch dark alloy wheels and red painted Brembo brake callipers. Inside, the Veloce features aluminium door sills, aluminium shift paddles, plus black and red Alcantara upholstery. Under the skin, it also gets Alfa Dual Stage Valve suspension (DSV).

Slip inside and the driving position is fashionably high and all-round visibility is good. The footwell is a tad cosy though, and I couldn’t find a comfortable place for my left foot on longer journeys.

Press the start button on the steering wheel and you’ll more likely than not set off in silent EV mode.

A twist of Alfa Romeo’s ‘DNA’ drive mode selector dial enables you to tweak the engine, steering, suspension and transmission responses.

‘Dynamic’ mode uses both the electric motor and the internal combustion engine to deliver a sportier driving performance. ‘Natural’ optimises power and minimises fuel consumption, with the combined work of the internal combustion engine and electric motor, while ‘Advance Efficiency’ mode is electric-only driving mode, so ideal for low emissions zones.

You’ll spend most of your time in default Natural mode with the engine comfortably switching between electric and petrol power.

The first thing you notice on the road is that the steering is very light and doesn’t offer much in the way of feedback. It’s not a deal breaker, but it takes a bit of getting used to.

Natural mode is absolutely fine for everyday driving. The ride is supple, it feels totally composed on the motorway and surprisingly little road and wind noise spoils the calm of the cabin.

If you want a little fun, then slip it into Dynamic. The whole car sharpens up, and it’s in its element on faster, flowing roads.

The only downside is that the little petrol engine becomes raspy at higher revs and the six-speed automatic gearbox is sometimes a little hesitant with its shifts.

This can be remedied by using the aluminium paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, but these are not perfect either. They are enormous and protrude beyond the column stalks, which means they are invariably in the way when you want to indicate or operate the wipers.

There are various settings for regenerative braking (it’s always satisfying to watching the EV light pop up when you’re coasting, for instance), charging on the move and saving battery charge.

Overall, Alfa’s engineers have done a great job of disguising the Tonale’s weight (1,910kg), and it stays impressively flat in more challenging corners.

This is partly down to the superb 53:47 front/rear weight distribution, which is complemented by excellent grip levels.

So, you can have some fun in the Tonale PHEV, but it will impact fuel economy. In theory it’s capable of 217.3mpg, but as with all plug-in hybrids, figures like that are only possible on shorter trips with a charged battery.

On longer journeys, expect fuel economy between 40-50mpg, because in effect you are driving around in a relatively small engined car with a depleted battery.

Talking of which, the Tonale’s charging speed maxes out at 7.4kW so it’ll take 2.5 hours to recharge the battery, home or away. With a full charge, Alfa Romeo claims the PHEV can travel 43 miles on electric power alone, but we found that 35 miles is more realistic.

The Tonale earned an impressive five-star rating in Euro NCAP safety tests. Standard equipment includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist and autonomous emergency braking (AEB).

And if you have cause to brake suddenly, there’s no missing the unique collision warning – a bizarre multi-track hooting sound.

So, ultimately the Tonale is an impressive start for Alfa Romeo on its electrification journey, and the plug-in hybrid’s all-electric range and low CO2 emissions should make it an attractive company car option.

Finally, it’s also worth considering other more affordable PHEVs in the hugely important family-sized SUV sector, such as the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson. Plus, the Tonale is also available as a slightly cheaper mild hybrid.

Verdict: If you’re in the market for a sporty family SUV but not quite ready to go fully electric, then the Alfa Romeo Tonale plug-in hybrid should be on your shortlist. Not only does it ooze kerb appeal, but it’s practical and drives well.

Alfa Romeo UK

BMW X1 review

We road test the all-new BMW X1 – the ‘baby’ of the brand’s SUV family is bigger than before, and much better for it…

More than 119,999 BMW X1s have found homes in the UK since the model was launched way back in 2009.

Now it’s time for the third generation, and it’s a much improved proposition in every department.

Size is everything in the modern world and the new X1 is slightly bigger than its popular predecessor (53mm longer, 24mm wider, 44mm higher and 22mm in wheelbase), crucially delivering more space for passengers and their luggage.

So, just as the latest Volkswagen Polo is about the same size as the original Golf, the new X1 isn’t far off the Mk 1 BMW X3.

Sharing the same platform as the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer MPV, the overall shape of the Mk 3 X1 is chunkier with a greater road presence.

Up front, the large kidney grille is flanked by slim LED headlights. The side profile sports meaty wheel arches and fared-in door handles, while the rear boasts a pert tailgate, three-dimensional LED lights and underride protection.

Inside, the X1 features BMW’s impressive eighth generation iDrive operating system, which includes a 10.7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 10.25-inch driver’s digital instrument cluster.

The curved screen infotainment system is mainly operated via the touchscreen, voice commands and flush buttons on the steering wheel. There’s no longer a rotary controller next to the gear selector, which may annoy some, along with the general minimalisation of switches, buttons and dials.

Priced from £33,775, the new X1 is available with a range of petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid engines (with an EV range of up to 57 miles), while a flagship all-electric iX1 variant joins the family in early 2023.

BMW expects 66% of UK sales to be pure electric, 14% PHEV and the final 20% split between petrol and diesel.

We had a brief test drive in a prototype iX1, but spent most of our time in the xDrive23i, which features a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 48V mild hybrid tech that makes 215bhp and is mated to BMW’s seven-speed Steptronic dual clutch transmission.

Taking just 7.1 seconds to cover the 0-62mph dash, it delivers a claimed 42.2mpg with CO2 emissions of 151g/km.

The top-of-the range iX1 EV costs substantially more, has a 64.7kWh battery producing 308bhp, a claimed range of up to 272 miles, and it can polish off the 0-62mph sprint in a swift 5.6 seconds.

We tested the AWD xDrive23i in xLine and M Sport trim levels (there’s an entry-level Sport too), and a posh piece of kit it is too, with BMW’s usual top build quality and classy materials.

There’s a commanding view of the road from up front (I would prefer the option of a lower seating position), visibility is good, though the reversing camera (standard on all models, along with front and rear sensors) comes in handy when manoeuvring thanks to the slim tailgate window.

A special mention for the infotainment system, which is slick and sharp, along with the clear head-up display and augmented satellite navigation system which overlays upcoming directions on the touchscreen via big chevron graphics.

Refinement levels in the cabin are impressive, there’s plenty of grunt from the petrol engine, which is only vocal under heavy acceleration, while the sweet-shifting gearbox cracks on effortlessly.

The M Sport comes with adaptive suspension, and frankly the difference is marginal. Overall, the set-up is on the firm side, which is noticeable on bumpier surfaces, but not uncomfortable.

The pay-off is that the X1 delivers a more dynamic driving experience. With an agile feel, body control and grip levels are good in more challenging corners – whether you’re in Personal, Sport or Efficient drive modes. Meanwhile, the steering is light and direct, making town driving a doddle.

It’s worth noting that the M Sport gets shift paddles and the left one activates the Sport Boost, which delivers an extra 19bhp of power (useful for overtakes).

Of course, the iX1 is the one to go for if you can stretch to £52,255 and you have a home charger. It looks just like its petrol, diesel and PHEV siblings, but BMW’s entry-level electric car is a real smoothie.

Faster than it really needs to be (there’s a Sport Boost function too), it’s whisper quiet (once you switch off the irritating Hans Zimmer ‘IconicSounds’ digital soundtrack) and easy to drive.

Despite the fact that it weighs around 400kg more than its ICE stablemates, the boffins at BMW have done a great job hiding it, because the iX1 is nimble and fun.

The iX1 we tested has two electric motors, one driving the front wheels and one the rears. Needless to say, there’s excellent traction and it feels nicely composed.

Whether you go electric or not, BMW’s baby SUV is a practical proposition with plenty of space inside the cabin and superb leg and headroom in the back.

Boot space varies according to the degree of electrification, but peaks at 540 litres for the petrols and diesels (1,600 litres with the 40/20/40-split seats folded).

Finally, the X1 is safe too. Awarded a maximum five stars by Euro NCAP, it’s packed with safety and driver assistance goodies as standard, including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane departure warning and speed limit assist, plus an additional centre airbag between the driver and front passenger seats.

Premium rivals include the Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Lexus UX and Volvo XC40.

Verdict: The latest-gen BMW X1 goes straight to the top of the class with its winning blend of space, technology, driving engagement and quality. If you’re looking for a classy, compact family SUV, the X1 should head your shortlist.

BMW UK

Volvo C40 Recharge review

Volvo is doing its bit to save the planet, and it has an ambitious plan for a zero emissions future.

By 2025, 50% of its global sales will consist of fully electric cars. By 2030, it aims to sell only EVs before turning “climate neutral” 10 years later.

The Swedish car maker’s latest model, the C40 Recharge, is a case in point. It’s electric-only (there will be no petrol or hybrid variants) and it’s manufactured using a variety of sustainable materials.

For instance, the carpets are made from 71 recycled plastic PET bottles, and thanks to renewable wool fibres, it’s the first Volvo to feature leather-free upholstery.

You could even say the car itself has something of a recycled feel to it because it shares its EV powertrain and much of its body with the XC40 – Volvo’s big-selling SUV.

Unlike its sibling, it’s sleeker with a lower roof line and steeply-raked rear window, while the front end introduces a new face for electric Volvos. Here, the signature Thor’s Hammer headlights are augmented with pixel technology designed to avoid dazzling other road users.

It’s also fitted with the latest version of Volvo’s infotainment system, jointly developed with Google and based on the Android operating system.

So now there’s access to Google Play apps and services like Google Assistant and Google Maps. It’s also capable of over-the-air updates, which means the car is constantly kept up to speed with the latest software.

The voice commands (prompted by “Hey Google”) usefully cut down on the swiping, pinching and scrolling otherwise needed to control the features within 9.0-inch central touchscreen.

C is for Crossover and Volvo claims the C40 Recharge provides buyers with the high seating position that its owners prefer. The reality is that there’s very little difference between the siblings apart from the design.

And I don’t mean that in a bad way because the pure electric XC40 Recharge is a fantastic package, offering the combination of style, practicality, performance and a decent range of up to 259 miles.

The C40’s lower roof line looks smarter and makes it more aerodynamic, resulting in a higher range of 273 miles.

It also differs from other models in the Volvo range because it can only be bought online and it’s also available with a ‘Care by Volvo’ package (monthly subscription from £729) which offers a warranty, servicing and roadside assistance, as well as insurance and home charging options where available.

At launch there’s just one version of the C40 Recharge available with an eye-watering ticket price of £57,400, though in time we can expect other more affordable specs.

Like the XC40 Recharge, the C40 has twin electric motors – one on the front and one on the rear axle – and is powered by a 78kWh battery that can be fast-charged from 10 to 80% in about 40 minutes (via a 150kW rapid charger).

Inside the factory

We were given a quick tour of Volvo’s impressive state-of-the-art plant at Ghent in Belgium, where the C40 is assembled on the same production line as the XC40 and V60 estate.

Volvo C40 Recharge production line in Ghent, Belgium

Volvo is increasing EV capacity at the facility to 135,000 cars per year, and already expects more than half of the plant’s production volume in 2022 to consist of fully electric cars.

On the road, the C40 offers the same combination of blistering performance and polished road manners as the XC40 Recharge.

Developing a combined 402hp, it can sprint from 0-62mph in just 4.7 seconds, which is almost supercar fast. Plant your right foot on an A road and before you know it, you’re travelling at the legal limit.

The ride is smooth and refined, the light steering is sharp and it handles well for a relatively heavy crossover.

There’s surprisingly good body control in faster, more challenging corners and plenty of traction thanks to all-wheel drive.

The brakes are progressive, which is relatively rare in EVs, and the regenerative braking system (which recovers kinetic energy otherwise lost during braking to recharge the battery) works well, especially in one-pedal mode where a simple lift off the accelerator is usually enough to slow the car down without using the brakes.

Ultimately, the C40 is a smoothie, at its best cruising. And as most EV drivers will tell you, the challenge of squeezing as much range as possible out of the battery is irresistible, so apart from the odd burst of instant-torque acceleration, it’s more about economical driving.

I have a few criticisms. I would have liked some drive modes (no Sport or Normal – just one-pedal or not). And even though the C40 Recharge ticks lots of eco-friendly boxes, the lack of leather and Scandi chic wood veneers made the interior less special to me.

The lower roofline also results in a slight headroom penalty for rear passengers six-foot or over, while the rear window itself is more post box than panoramic, so the view behind is on the challenging side.

The C40 has less boot space than the XC40 Recharge, but there’s still a useful 413 litres of luggage capacity (down from 452 litres), or a total of 1,205 litres if you flip the 60/40 split rear bench (1,328 litres). That said, rear passenger legroom is generous.

Up front there’s a 31-litre compartment under the bonnet – ideal for storing charging cables. There are also plenty of storage spaces scattered inside the cabin for phones, water bottles and other clutter.

Needless to say, like all Volvos, the C40 is packed with the latest safety and driver assistance tech as standard, including lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and a 360-degree parking camera which makes it easier to get in and out of tight spaces.

However, at this price the C40 is up against tough EV competition – everything from the Hyundai Kona Electric, Skoda Enyaq and Kia e-Niro up to the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Polestar 2, Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron and Mercedes EQA.

Verdict: The stylish new Volvo C40 Recharge is a class act, blending performance, practicality and refinement with a good EV range and extensive safety features. At launch, the sole top-of-the-range model is on the expensive side, but in time the C40 will become more attainable as other variants are offered.

Volvo Cars UK