Alfa Romeo redesigned the crossover’s cabin so officers could fit specific equipment like bulletproof vests and firearms. The police-ready Tonale also has a single cell for secure prisoner transport, flashing blue LED lights, a two-tone electric siren, and partial armor to protect the officers.
The Tonale hybrid uses an electrified 1.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 163 horsepower that pairs with the automaker’s seven-speed TCT dual-clutch automatic transmission. The crossovers will wear the mobile radio unit’s traditional red-and-blue livery with a white roof.
The automaker supplied its first vehicles to the Carabinieri in 1951, readying the 1900 M “Matta” for duty. The 1900 sedan would soon follow before the Giulia joined the force in the 1960s. Various other Alfa vehicles like the Alfetta, the Alfa Romeo 90, the Alfa Romeo 155, and others served over the years. The agency even has a few high-powered Giulia Quadrifoglio sedans running around. Many are on display at the Alfa Romeo Museum in the “Alfa Romeo in Uniform” exhibit.
The Tonale will help diversify the Carabinieri’s police force, giving the organization greater versatility when responding to emergencies, as it’s the first compact crossover to join the mobile radio unit. The crossover will serve next to the Giulia already in the fleet. The Giulia joined in 2021, 50 years after Alfa delivered its first car to the law enforcement agency.
Alfa Romeo is not the only automaker that has recognized the importance of supplying law enforcement agencies with specialized vehicles. SEAT, for instance, delivered the Leon to the Carabinieri in 2015, featuring enhanced suspension and comprehensive law enforcement equipment. The choices of police vehicles around the world continue to evolve, with popular options like the Ford Explorer and Dodge Charger in the United States. Electric vehicles are also making their way into police fleets, offering a greener alternative while maintaining the necessary capabilities to uphold the law.
Source: Alfa Romeo