Alfa Romeo won't offer the 2.0-liter engine for Tonale in the United States

The Alfa Romeo Tonale compact crossover will be available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that pairs a 177-hp, 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine turning the front axle with a 121-hp electric motor working the rear axle for a combined 275 hp. The PHEV would also be capable of 30 miles of pure electric motoring.

When the Tonale was released in February, Alfa Romeo said that the base option in the US market would be a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that would put out 256 horsepower and the PHEV version would be a premium option.

But Jean-Philippe Imparato, the head of Alfa Romeo, told Automotive News Europe during the media drive that the non-hybrid 2.0-liter is no longer an option for the U.S. because Alfa Romeo needs to go especially aggressive on reducing emissions here.

An Alfa Romeo spokesperson in the U.S. elaborated to Car and Driver, "As a premium brand, the PHEV better aligns with what our customers want in this segment as it provides an elevated experience, greater performance, and more than 30 miles of electric range."

The unspoken message here is that the Tonale's doppelganger, the Dodge Hornet, will provide both powertrains when it becomes available next year. This prevents the Tonale from having a less powerful rendition of the same 2.0-liter turbocharged engine as what the intended plan was for the Hornet - 256 hp in comparrison to 268 hp.