TONALE TECH TALK

I found out that the Tonale 1.33L Hybrid engine has these features that it shares with the Jeep Compass hybrid.

Designed for Hybrid Performance
The new 4-cylinder turbocharged engine has been designed to be the best fit for hybrid usage, to optimise thermodynamics, and therefore to save on fuel consumption. It operates on the Miller cycle which improves thermal efficiency and offers a high compression ratio (12.5:1), a new cylinder head with compact combustion chamber, dual variable valve timing and special ‘high-tumble’ intake ducts. Also new is the high-pressure direct injection system, operating at up to 350 bar. This petrol engine delivers an output of 130hp, while peak torque reaches 240Nm. A belt starter generator is also installed in the petrol engine, to guarantee fast and silent transitions when restarting.

Lithium Batteries in Tonale are LFP Type
This lithium battery type is the safest type of Lithium battery and is replacing Tesla model 3 and Y NMC Lithium batteries. A summary of their qualities.
Here are the reasons LFPs are a better option:

• LFP batteries are safer compared to NMC batteries because they have extremely low thermal runaway.
• LFP batteries have longer lifespans (up to 10x)
• LFP batteries are the most stable chemistry for Lithium-Ion. At room temp discharge is 5% vs 30% discharge for NMC batteries.
• LFP is environmentally friendly. NMC will contaminate landfills and catch fire easily.
• Compared to other lithium-ion batteries, LFP batteries have a better charging efficiency, 95% vs 85% for NMC batteries. Thus LFP is 10% more efficient at charging than NMC batteries.
• While NMC batteries can undergo thousands of cycles before failing, LFP batteries can undergo tens of thousands of cycles without degradation.
• Lithium iron phosphate batteries are much less likely to have thermal runaway (fire).

Dual Stage Valve Electronic Suspension

The Dual Stage Valve electronic suspension provides a choice between performance and comfort. Developed in conjunction with Marelli – a historic technology partner of Alfa Romeo, the electronic shock absorbers feature a special electroactuated valve within the shock absorber that provides independent damping curves. Two modes are available, Comfort and Sport. The former is the preset calibration in the D.N.A. Advanced Efficiency and Normal selections, to ensure the smoothest performance on uneven roads. Conversely, Sport mode predominates in the D.N.A. Dynamic and ESC Off modes, which reduces body movement and increases vertical rigidity, aimed at improved vehicle dynamics on corners. Finally, by pressing the dedicated button on the DNA selector, the calibration of Dynamic mode can be activated or deactivated.

DUAL STAGE VALVE ELECTRONIC SUSPENSION

Dual Stage Valve electronic suspension
The Dual Stage Valve electronic suspension provides a choice between performance and comfort. Developed in conjunction with Marelli – a historic technology partner of Alfa Romeo, the electronic shock absorbers feature a special electroactuated valve within the shock absorber that provides independent damping curves. Two modes are available, Comfort and Sport. The former is the preset calibration in the D.N.A. Advanced Efficiency and Normal selections, to ensure the smoothest performance on uneven roads. Conversely, Sport mode predominates in the D.N.A. Dynamic and ESC Off modes, which reduces body movement and increases vertical rigidity, aimed at improved vehicle dynamics on corners. Finally, by pressing the dedicated button on the DNA selector, the calibration of Dynamic mode can be activated or deactivated.

Tonale’s Advanced Brake System

Tonale has a regenerative brake-by-wire system, which means stepping on the brake pedal triggers an electronic signal that activates a microprocessor. Brake-by-wire systems utilize electronic sensors and actuators instead of the mechanical and hydraulic components of traditional braking setups. As a result, braking is designed to be smoother and more predictable instead of predicated solely on the uneven pressure of your foot. For the Tonale, this brake action restores battery energy.

Brake-by-wire systems are fairly standard fare, especially on hybrid vehicles like the Audi e-Tron and Porsche Taycan. This technology takes stopping power to the next level, compiling input from your surroundings and anticipating braking needs. For instance, if the car senses that you’re headed for a collision based on your speed and that of the car in front of you, the brake-by-wire system can apply maximum braking power for you. And it’s lighter: the electronic brake saves 10 pounds overall.

Dynamic Torque Vectoring

Torque vectoring redistributes torque between the drive wheels to improve traction and stability. By using speed sensors in the wheels, the system can vary the amount of torque applied based on the level of traction or wheel slippage detected. If a sensor detects that one wheel is spinning faster than the others, the torque vectoring system will alter the vehicle’s handling to improve cornering.

There are several ways to manage torque, so it’s applied evenly and predictably. The torque vectoring system can reduce the torque applied to the inside drive wheel. It can also increase the torque applied to the outside wheel. This leads to improved yaw control around the vehicle’s axis. Both improved traction control and yaw control lead to better cornering and stability at high speeds or on low traction surfaces.

Dynamic torque vectoring is extremely good because it improves traction and stability in all weather conditions. In fact, it rivals the invention of antilock brakes as an effective safety system. However, unlike antilock brakes where you feel the brake pedal pulsing, most torque vectoring systems are unobtrusive, and you’ll barely know they are there.

TWIN-SCROLL TURBO IN TONALE

Alfa Romeo Tonale Is equipped with a twin-scroll, low inertia turbocharger, direct fuel injection and engine stop-start technology, this engine gives Tonale the brand's iconic dynamic performance and drivability.



What’s so magical about dividing the hot side turbine (red) into a so-called twin-scroll arrangement?

Twin-scroll turbos have a higher average cylinder pressure and turbine efficiency, while single-scroll turbos have a higher peak cylinder pressure and exhaust backpressure. We have found the twin-scroll turbos have higher backpressure at low RPM (which is good for turbo spool-up) and lower backpressure at high RPM (which is good for top end performance). On the other hand, single-scroll turbos have lower backpressure at low RPM (bad for spool-up resulting in turbo lag and higher backpressure at high RPM (which hurts top end performance).