4.0 out of 5

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Verdict

Our family has a real love of Alfa Romeos, and – almost a quarter of a century after a 156 helped bring us together – the first signs are that my husband and I will enjoy life with the brand’s smallest SUV.  

• Mileage: 4,599
• Economy: 38.5mpg

There is just something about Alfa Romeo; the name and romance seem to go together. Despite the marque’s reputation for unreliability, the looks win out. 

My husband and I have always had a soft spot for the brand and back in 1999, when we were first dating, I specifically asked to borrow the just-launched Alfa 156 for an evening – one way to make an impression! I remember the model didn’t disappoint either, bringing a smile to both our faces. 

So when I heard the next fleet car I would be getting was an Alfa Romeo, we were both genuinely excited. It certainly softened the blow of having to hand back our previous Stellantis product, because the DS 4 was so comfortable it had become a firm favourite.

Our new Alfa is the firm’s baby SUV, the Tonale, in range-topping Veloce trim with a PHEV powertrain. The line-up starts from £48,495, but the on-the-road price for our model is £52,945 – by the far the most expensive vehicle I’ve had the keys to.  

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The special Montreal Green paint costs £1,500, plus our car is fitted with a Leather and Harman Kardon Pack and the Winter Pack. For £2,600, these bring a 14-speaker premium sound system, leather upholstery, and heated and ventilated seats, while the Mode 3 charging cable adds another £350. 

The quoted range on electric power is 40 miles and the car arrived fully charged with a reading of 35, which is promising. There is also an e-save button below the gearstick, which you press to save your electric power for when you want it. It’s already proven  useful on drives from the coast to London, saving the EV power for the 20mph zones and inevitable heavy traffic. We’ve also found that the regenerative braking does top up the predicted range – something that didn’t happen in the DS we ran previously.



The exterior styling of the car certainly doesn’t let down the Alfa name; it really is a smart-looking SUV. I was a fan from the word go, but studying the car closely while the photographer took the pictures for this report, I found myself really admiring it, as did various passers-by. It has a few little details that only enhance the look, and the front and rear lights are wonderful. 

The interior is fairly minimalist, with a good-quality 10.25-inch touchscreen nicely positioned on top of the dashboard, while the physical climate controls underneath are a definite bonus. There is some black plastic, but everything you touch has a nice feel; the smart three-spoke steering wheel is leather-trimmed, as is the gear shifter, while the paddles (standard with Veloce trim) are metal. These, along with a small strip along the dashboard, and the silver air vents,
break up the black.




The leather seats look great and are comfortable, plus electronic adjustment makes setting your driving position that much easier. There is also good adjustment on the steering wheel, which is very useful for us, given that my husband and I have very different driving positions.

It’s early days, but so far we are loving life with our Italian motor and looking forward to getting to know it better. We have already been asked about it a couple of times, and one lady in particular really wanted to know what we thought of it. She was an Alfa fan, having previously owned a Stelvio which, in her words, hadn’t put a foot wrong, and has been looking at the Tonale for her next car.  

We obviously couldn’t make any comment on the car’s reliability just yet, but we passed on our initial impressions of the PHEV drivetrain, and told her it was definitely a good option, particularly if you have a way to charge at home. So perhaps we have pushed her towards a purchase – and hopefully we’ll also go on to have as much of a trouble-free time as she did with her Alfa.

Model:	Alfa Romeo Tonale Veloce 1.3 280 PHEV
On fleet since:	July 2023
Price:	£52,945
Powertrain:	1.3-litre petrol/1x e-motor, 276bhp
CO2/tax:	29g/km/£0 (first year)
Options:	Options: Montreal Green paint (£1,500), Winter Pack plus Leather and Harman Kardon Pack (£2,600), Mode 3 charging cable (£350)
Insurance*:	Group: 38 Quote: £755
Mileage:	4,599
MPG:	38.5mpg
Any problems?	None so far

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]]> https://automotobuzz.com/news-features/how-i-scrapped-my-old-vehicles-in-hyderabad-experience-learnings/ Mon, 11 Sep 2023 10:19:06 +0000 https://automotobuzz.com/?p=237942 I prepared and shared the required content in PDF format for both vehicles. It took them two days to obtain

The post How I scrapped my old vehicles in Hyderabad: Experience & learnings appeared first on AutoMotoBuzz.com.

]]> I prepared and shared the required content in PDF format for both vehicles. It took them two days to obtain their internal approvals.

BHPian achagamreddy recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

n September 2023, I made an intriguing discovery – neither Andhra Pradesh nor Telangana were offering any incentives for individuals scrapping their vehicles. While I had heard that certain states did provide such benefits, I decided to proceed with scrapping my unused vehicles at home without any government assistance.

Here’s my account of why I felt the need to scrap my old vehicles and how I went about doing it in Hyderabad.

At home, we had two idle two-wheelers: my first vehicle, an Apache 150 from 2006, and my father’s Kinetic Nova 110 from 2003. It seemed like whenever we purchased a vehicle, the model would either be discontinued shortly after or the entire company would cease operations in India. This was a recurring theme with the four vehicles we’ve owned over the years.

A bit about the Kinetic Nova: My father’s Kinetic Nova served us faithfully for around a decade. However, frequent issues arose due to the unavailability of parts, even at Mahindra spares. This became a persistent problem, and local mechanics were unable to do much without access to the necessary parts. Consequently, we ended up leaving it parked in our designated spot for years. Following my father’s relocation from Guntur to Hyderabad post-retirement, we found ourselves in a dilemma – we couldn’t decide whether to renew its RC, scrap it, or sell it to dealers.

Regarding my Apache: Both my father and I are sticklers for rules. When I moved to Bangalore for a job that lasted a year, I took my Apache with me. I obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the RTA Hyderabad and paid the required road tax in Bangalore. At that time, I was uncertain whether I would settle down in Bangalore, and part of my motivation for postponing the registration change was to avoid potential traffic fines. Upon my return to Hyderabad after a year, I was unaware of the need to cancel the NOC at the Bangalore RTA. Later, when I wished to upgrade to a larger bike, I couldn’t sell the Apache due to the NOC being in Bangalore. Some prospective buyers suggested purchasing and using the vehicle without transferring the RC, but I declined and retained ownership. After I purchased a car, I rarely used the Apache, and it began experiencing frequent issues. Despite changing several components, such as the carburetor, front disc calipers, lock system, and both tires, it continued to pose starting problems. Neither the TVS service nor local mechanics could provide a definitive fix, leading me to cease using it altogether. Nevertheless, I still held a fondness for the vehicle.

My Exploration into Vehicle Scrapping:

With four vehicles already occupying the apartment parking area, in addition to our two unused vehicles, it started to feel as though we were monopolizing the common parking space . Thus, I began my quest to locate a reputable scrap dealer via online research, ultimately discovering CERO Recycling. CERO is a joint venture between MSTC Ltd. (a Government of India Enterprise) and Mahindra Accelo. Given their solid reputation, I initiated contact by submitting my details through their website.

On the same day, I received a response, inquiring about basic vehicle information such as make, year of manufacturing/registration, vehicle type, city, and my contact details. After supplying the requested data, I received a phone call from their customer service team. The representative was courteous and patiently addressed my queries regarding their scrapping process, documentation, and related matters. Here’s a summarized account of our discussion:

• Free Vehicle Pickup: CERO provides free vehicle pickup services, including towing.
• Pricing: They offer ₹1,500 for scooters and ₹2,000 for motorcycles, regardless of their condition, brand, or initial purchase value.
• Documentation: CERO takes care of all necessary documentation, including a stamp paper agreement and a pickup receipt, which they provide during the pickup.
• Payment: Payment is processed through a bank transfer after the vehicle reaches their storage facility.

Subsequently, they requested additional details:

• Vehicle Pictures
• RC (Registration Certificate) Scan Copy
• Bank Account Number
• Bank Branch and IFSC Code
• Pickup Address and Contact Information

I prepared and shared the required content in PDF format for both vehicles. It took them two days to obtain their internal approvals. A day before the scheduled pickup, my father and I each received a ₹1 test credit in our bank accounts, presumably to verify the accuracy and genuineness of the provided bank account details. On the day of pickup, they arrived promptly at the location and invited us to come down to sign the necessary documents.

They had prepared the agreement on ₹100 stamp papers, and it was exceptionally detailed and professionally executed. I was pleased to see their meticulous organizational approach. They also took photographs of us with our vehicles for their records and completed the signing process. I scanned the documents using my mobile phone, and they provided us with a copy of the receipt on CERO letterhead.

A day later, we received an email confirming that the vehicles had been inspected and were scheduled for scrapping. Subsequently, the agreed-upon amounts were credited to our bank accounts.

Overall, the process went exceedingly smoothly, and I’m highly satisfied with CERO’s services. The only downside is the absence of government benefits associated with vehicle scrapping, as confirmed by CERO and my own research.

For your reference, here are some pictures:

Vehicle Loading:





Vehicle Scrap Assurance receipt (I am purposefully not uploading the agreement on Stamp Paper):



Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Source: Read Full Article

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]]> https://automotobuzz.com/car-reviews/petrol-and-diesel-drivers-could-destroy-their-cars-using-common-product/ Mon, 11 Sep 2023 09:49:07 +0000 https://automotobuzz.com/?p=237941 RAC explain how to check a cars engine oil level Petrol and diesel owners could destroy their engines by pouring

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]]> RAC explain how to check a cars engine oil level

Petrol and diesel owners could destroy their engines by pouring in too much oil, according to leading mechanic Scotty Kilmer.

Motorists are likely to “blow the seals out of the engine” and could even “jam the pistons” by ignoring the advice.

Kilmer issued the warning after he noticed some road users were forgetting to drain their existing oil before topping up their tanks.

This often means they have double the amount inside their vehicles which can lead to serious damage to key parts.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kilmer said: “Today I’m going to show you what happens if you put too much oil in your engine.

READ MORE Diesel owners should stop putting popular product in their cars, says mechanic



“Now I’ve seen people put four quarts of oil in an engine that takes four quarts but they have forgotten to drain the other stuff out.

“So they had eight quarts and it actually destroyed their engine because if you have that much oil it can actually jam in on the pistons and it can bend the piston rods making you need a complete engine overhaul.

“But even if you’re just a quart or two over the full you can blow the seals out of the engine, the rear main seal of the engine requires pulling the engine out to replace it. It’s an expensive repair.”

According to Total Energies, pouring in too much oil can also put pressure on the crankshaft which can lead to leaks.

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Excess oil could also find itself onto the spark plugs which will then need to be replaced.

They urge drivers who think they have too much oil in their cars to drain their tanks immediately.

Total Energies claims road users who are unaware of how to fix it should consult a mechanic as soon as possible.

However, owners should get their vehicle towed to a garage as driving it is likely to do further damage to vital components.

Kilmer has urged motorists to check their oil regularly to make sure they never go above the limits.

He added: “Now that’s what dipsticks are for. They’ve got two lines. A low line and a full line, Always make sure it does not go over the full line.

“Don’t check your engine oil on a hill. Always check it on a flat surface after it’s sat at least five minutes for it to drain to the right level.”

Source: Read Full Article

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]]> https://automotobuzz.com/news-features/triumph-speed-400-test-ride-few-key-observations-by-a-390-duke-owner/ Mon, 11 Sep 2023 09:24:16 +0000 https://automotobuzz.com/?p=237939 Easily has the best-sounding exhaust in this segment IMO. BHPian saikishor recently shared this with other enthusiasts. I finally have

The post Triumph Speed 400 test ride: Few key observations by a 390 Duke owner appeared first on AutoMotoBuzz.com.

]]> Easily has the best-sounding exhaust in this segment IMO.

BHPian saikishor recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

I finally have test-ridden the most talked about kid on the block. I have some observations to share, which might be repeated but here they go:

The bike is a very desirable kinda motorcycle. It has a universal appeal to it, and it doesn’t have any special defining character to it. Don’t get me wrong, what I’m trying to say is it will appeal to everyone. There will not be a single person who would say that he doesn’t like this bike after a test ride. I was under the impression that all of the media houses and auto journos were going crazy because of the mind-numbing introductory price (that’s how I feel these journos are portraying it). One test ride later, I know why this bike has received so much praise.

I did try to find negatives to this bike but couldn’t really spot any. I felt the brakes had a little more play than required and another area was the switchgear modules. They were moving around a little bit when you accelerate to the max or press the buttons a little harder than usual.

One odd thing I noticed (which might be specific to that one bike) is that the chain was rusted on a display bike in the showroom. Upon closer observation, I spotted the chain to have the same “R” mark on the links as my 390 Duke. My mechanic told me the Duke uses a Rolon chain, so I’m assuming even this is a Rolon chain.



Build quality is fab for the price however I would rate the TVS-made BMW G310 twins (excluding the 310RR as I assume even that bike will squeak because of the panels) higher than this Bharatiya British machine. The paint quality is fab and easily the best I’ve seen in this segment. Switchgear feels sufficiently premium although not Triumph premium. There was a Trident in the showroom and the switchgear quality on that was something else. Bar end mirrors looked premium but I realised later that they were useless. The fuel cap design and feel are something else, it felt really good to touch and flip. The key of the motorcycle, well, typical Triumph and it felt premium too.

Coming to the test ride, this bike has a good low-end and mid-range. The top end felt flat to me. Nothing beats a KTM in this single-cylinder category in top-end performance but since this Triumph is not about that, I feel this little lack of top-end can be ignored. The bike can reach triple digits pretty fast, but it doesn’t feel as fun as a KTM at high revs. With that said, the low-end and mid-range are beautiful. Leave half the clutch and the bike jumps forward. Mid-range feels punchy and that exhaust note is still in my mind. Easily the best-sounding exhaust in this segment IMO. The bike is pretty flick-able, and I believe part of this is because of the beautiful Apollos that the bike comes with. The brakes are sure-footed with good stopping power. But the poor bike that I test rode had squeaking brakes, pretty understandable as the bike was being thrashed around by every guy who went for a test ride. Heck, even I did a good amount of thrashing to get a good feel of the bike. I couldn’t really judge the suspension as the roads I rode on were pretty good. It wasn’t as thrashy as my Duke for sure, nor was it as soft as an Interceptor so think of it to be on the neutral side. Weight is nicely masked and you don’t feel it at all, mostly because of the accessible seat height(not aware of the numbers). The mileage claim is 30kpl from the showroom and I feel one can easily achieve it if ridden sanely. The gearbox somehow felt very clunky and hard, very similar to that of a BMW G310R. The throttle response was crisp and not shattery like that on my Duke. The speedometer felt useless to my eyes. The speed font is too small and with the vibes at higher rpm and higher speeds, you can barely see what speed you’re doing. The rpm gauge is equally useless. The rpm and speedometer gauges should’ve been swapped i.e, a digital speedometer and an analogue rpm gauge should’ve been provided instead. The bar end mirrors are useless. I hope there is some other better conventional mirror setup available as an accessory, maybe something like the mirrors on the Trident.

I hope I have covered everything that I noticed. Special props to Syed (I hope I’m not wrong with his name) at the newly opened Triumph Gachibowli showroom. My Duke got stuck right in front of their showroom due to some gravel and this guy immediately came out and helped me with my bike. I told him I was a casual visitor and not a prospective buyer with an active booking and he was completely fine with it to give me a test ride. Some showroom guys are hellbent on bookings, so yeah this definitely felt better.

One huge piece of advice I would like to give to Bajaj as a Bajaj customer is don’t dilute the brand for god sake. I mean, achieving volumes is fine but NOT at the cost of diluting your brand. Please educate your customers on how to ride, how to behave when you’re on a motorcycle, basic motorcycling gear, riding etiquette etc. I’m pretty sure Triumph owners will be pissed after this Speed 400 is exploited by the undesirable squids of society (which will eventually happen, if Bajaj takes no steps in preventing it from happening). KTM could’ve been as premium as Triumph if Bajaj marketed it properly. Heck, maybe we would’ve had a chance to experience KTM’s tasty big bikes. So Bajaj please do look into such stuff and try educating your customers.

I agree no one comes up with mouth-watering launches better than Rajiv Bajaj (looking at your 2013 KTM 390 Duke) but then no one can dilute a brand better than you as well.

And yes, I am in love with the blue shade on the motorcycle. The shine and glitter on it are unreal, I can’t take it off my mind.













Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Source: Read Full Article

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