Unfit For Duty? Italian Police Demand Probe Into Alfa Romeo’s Tonale Cruiser

The Italian SUV faces criticism from Italy’s policeunion over alleged safety issues in high-speed pursuits

The Alfa Romeo Tonale is a pivotal model for the Italian brand, marking its first electrified offering and its ticket to the high-volume compact SUV segment. However, it appears not everyone is thrilled with the new SUV, as union representatives from the Carabinieri, Italy’s national police force, have recently lodged a complaint about its handling performance.

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When Alfa Romeo first handed over the Tonale to the police, they promised that the compact SUV would offer a “significant increase in the level of comfort” for officers. Unfortunately, it seems that some officers were more concerned about how it actually drives than how plush it feels.

A Formal Complaint Over Handling Concerns

The Carabinieri Trade Union Association (Unarma) ) has filed a formal complaint with the Rome Public Prosecutor’s Office, citing multiple “operational reports” from officers who have encountered “critical issues” with the vehicle’s road handling. The main complaints focus on the Tonale’s performance at high speeds and on rough road surfaces, conditions that aren’t exactly rare for mobile radio units tasked with rapid responses in various situations.

The union expressed “deep concern for the safety of operators”, who are allegedly “forced to use a vehicle that could compromise the effectiveness of interventions and put their safety at risk”. For this reason, the union calls for an official investigation, to see whether the Tonale is truly up to the task.

Antonio Nicolosi, Secretary General of Unarma, stated: “We cannot accept that our colleagues operate in potentially dangerous conditions. It is the duty of the administration to guarantee safe, reliable and fully suitable means for operational needs. We will not stop until the situation is clarified.”

Alfa Romeo Defends the Tonale

As reported by Quattroruote, Alfa Romeo has responded to the accusations, firmly defending the Tonale’s capabilities and hinting at potential legal action. A spokesperson for the Italian brand stated, “Alfa Romeo reiterates that its vehicles comply with the most stringent safety regulations and undergo rigorous evaluation by the police forces of the countries in which they operate, including the Carabinieri in Italy.”

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The spokesperson also pointed out that the Tonale’s “advanced safety features” have earned praise from international press outlets and stressed that the SUV has “earned the trust of over 100,000 customers worldwide.”

Despite the criticism, Alfa Romeo made it clear they’re open to cooperating with authorities but also reserved “the right to protect its image and reputation through appropriate channels,” implying that the issue could end up in court. So, it looks like things might get a little more complicated before they’re settled.

A Closer Look at the Police Tonale

Alfa Romeo

The police version of the Tonale is a slightly modified model with partial armor and a police livery. In 2023, Alfa Romeo delivered 400 units of the SUV to the Carabinieri, each featuring small upgrades like flashing LEDs, a police radio, and a storage compartment for special equipment. A cell for transporting suspects is also included.

Powering the compact police cruiser is a mild-hybrid 1.5-liter engine, churning out the same 158 hp (118 kW / 160 PS) as the civilian version. It’s unclear whether the lack of any performance upgrades is contributing to the complaints, which seem to focus more on the vehicle’s chassis setup. The added weight of the armor and the Tonale’s lofty ride height could be factors, though to be fair, most SUVs come with these same issues.

A Recent Rollover Incident

An Instagram post from user @veicoli_.demergenza recently showcased a rollover accident involving the Tonale. The incident happened at night, and no other vehicles were involved, just the police SUV flipping over after it hit a curb. The caption mentioned that one of the Carabinieri officers on board was seriously injured and had to be transferred to a hospital in Catania.

In addition to the Tonale, the Carabinieri have also been driving examples of the Giulia, including the high-performance Quadrifoglio, which has earned the nickname “Gazelle”. Other Stellantis vehicles in the Carabinieri fleet include the Fiat Tipo, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the fully electric Jeep Avenger. Furthermore, Alfa Romeo has recently unveiled a police version of the Junior, although the small SUV is being used by Polizia Locale fleets in certain municipalities.