The Alfa Romeo Tonale in 2026 is available with only one powertrain, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder mated to a ZF-based 9-speed automatic transmission. In this vehicle it produces 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It’s identical under the hood and mechanically to the Dodge Hornet of North America which the platform is shared.
In this application with all-wheel-drive, it’s rated by the EPA at 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. Stellantis quotes a 0-60 time of 6.5 seconds.
Known internally as the Global Medium Engine (GME), it has an aluminum block with cast-iron cylinder liners and an aluminum head. It features direct fuel injection, dual variable cam timing and an automatic stop-start system. Its turbocharger is controlled by an electronically controlled waste-gate and intake charge cooling is handled by an air-to-water inter-cooler.
The engine itself is manufactured in Italy, the transmission in the United States, and final assembly of the Tonale happens in Italy.
Looking around the engine compartment reveals a layout a little bit unique with the turbocharger being mounted at the front of the engine instead of at the rear. It’s in plain sight and very easy to burn your hands on if the engine is hot. The air filter box location is also unique, sitting high on top of the engine itself, taking up the air space afforded by the Tonale’s tall SUV’s silhouette.
Following the airflow, the intake charge starts through a snorkel at the top of the radiator and travels back into the large air-filter box mounted on top of the engine. From there it travels through an ornate plenum to the turbocharger itself.
Once boosted, the intake charge travels up and to the rear of the engine where it goes through an integral intake manifold with an air-to-water inter-cooler built in. It’s hard to see but it’s back there.
On top of the engine you can see a couple of the spark plug coil packs but some are hidden. This means that replacing the plugs is likely a day job as you will need to remove a lot of extra components to reach them all.
Spent exhaust gases exit through the turbocharger and down into the catalyst and exhaust system. There is a lot of heat shielding here for a reason, this gets extremely hot so do watch your hands here.
DIY maintenance on the Tonale begins with the oil dipstick at the passenger side front of the engine with its bright yellow handle. Further back you will find the oil filler cap. The oil filter has to be accessed from below.
There are two coolant reservoirs. One at the passenger side is for the inter-cooler system. The other at the driver side front is for the engine coolant. Brake fluid can be checked and topped off back at the driver side firewall, a bit of a task to get to but it’s there.
The 12-volt battery is located nearby with easy access, a fix box to its right – a little more challenging to get into. The engine ECU is found next to the 12-volt battery but is not typically user serviceable.
Lastly, changing the air filter does require a screw driver to open the box but accessing it is easy enough given its top of engine location.
