Alfa Romeo Stelvio

A change in the air at Alfa Romeo has brought about the Italian design team putting their heads together to make a new design – completely new in fact for Alfa – that of an SUV.  Global SUV sales have been on the rise around the globe, and that means we get to see how Alfa Romeo makes a good SUV.  Known as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, the Italian SUV is the proper job.

If I asked you to describe one of the latest Alfas, your response might incorporate the gloriously fast Giulia or even the tenacious 4C.  But actually the range of new Stelvio models offer a stylish and compact SUV with a strong presence and flowing design.  When painted with racing red, the car looks as Italian and as exciting as ever.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Front

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio has you riding 190 mm higher above the road than you would find yourself in the Giulia sedan.  Interior seating is supportive, attractive and distinctively Alfa.  From the cockpit, the raised ride height offers a great visual of the road ahead, and with an array of autonomous safety features that search the road ahead to avoid accidents, the Stelvio is a safe SUV that rides the road in confidence and feels agile and capable like a real Alfa should.  On-board the 2.0-litre Turbo features Bi-Xenon headlamps, an Alfa DNA drive mode selector, LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), dual chrome exhaust tips, leather Seats, a 7-inch TFT Cluster with a dynamic display controller, a reversing camera and a premium audio system.  Top-end models boast an 8.8-inch widescreen colour display, an Information and Entertainment system that enables real-time management of the vehicle’s environment and performance, Sirius XM satellite radio and 3D navigation.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Interior

Aiming at BMW X3, Porsche Macan, Audi Q5, Jaguar F Pace and Mercedes Benz GLC SUV machines, the new Alfa Romeo Stelvio is a strong alternative.  The ride is sporty, performance excellent, fuel efficiency excellent, and you have a 525-litre boot, good rear head and legroom, an infotainment system, nice interior materials and good build quality.

Most models in the Alfa Romeo Stelvio line-up boast Alfa’s Q4 all-wheel drive system which runs with rear-wheel-drive only in normal conditions, and up to 50 per cent of the power is transferred to the front in low-grip road and off-road conditions.  There is likely to be an entry level rear-drive only model.  Eight-speed automatic gearbox operation is nice and smooth, and the software has a sporty flavour even in normal mode (N).  D is for Dynamic mode for holding maximum revs, and the Stelvio is ready for fast driving.

Underpinning the new Stelvia is a double wishbone front unit with a multi-link rear aluminium suspension.  The springs are longer than the Giulia, but stiffer to counteract the extra height.  A carbon-fibre prop shaft is standard, engines use aluminium blocks, and there is also an aluminium skin for the bonnet, tailgate, doors and front wings to keep the Stelvio light and athletic.  This extensive usage of light aluminium has the Stelvio weighing less on the scales than Porsche Macan and BMW X3 alternatives.

A range of engines for powering the new Stelvio includes a 4-cylinder, 2.2-litre diesel that produces 155 kW and 470 Nm of torque allowing the Stelvio to cover the 0-100 km/h dash in around 6.6 seconds – 6-cylinder Porsche Macan S Diesel territory.

In petrol 2.0-litre turbo semblance the Stelvio is sharp and aggressive with 206 kW of power and 401 Nm of torque on tap to allow for a time frame of 5.7 seconds to reach 100 km/h from a stand still.

A responsive 147 kW 2.0 petrol Stelvio will be one of the cheaper models to buy, while a slighter and more frugal 133 kW version of the 2.2 diesel motor will become available.

Performance addicts will be pleased to hear that the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio will be available with the very quick 375 kW 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6.

SUV buyers who like plenty of performance and style in a small SUV package are likely to enjoy the Italian version of what an SUV should be like.  The Stelvio is definitely an SUV to be enjoyed.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Rear

We will endeavour to keep you posted on the new range of Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV models as they arrive in Australia.

For any more information on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio or, for that matter, any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181.  If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Alfa Romeo dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours.  Private Fleet – car buying made easy!