ALFA ROMEO STELVIO
Alfa Joins The SUV Party Unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show in Quadrifoglio guise, Alfa Romeo’s Stelvio is the first SUV for the brand in over a century of history. Unsurprising that it comes at a time when the market appears to be revealing a new contender every other week, but what does this mean for the segment? Alfa Romeo have remained true to their ethos throughout the company’s long history and continue to do so despite the inevitable venture away from the expected. The motoring world has been gradually transforming over recent years and the distinct shift in focus for many global brands is merely an indicative response to the change. You may question whether it is right for a company like Alfa Romeo who were born from a rich Italian motor-racing heritage to even consider developing and producing cars for the SUV sector, however, thanks to some fairly sound connections, Alfa Romeo have managed to utilise some of the expertise and knowhow from their even sportier counterparts, Ferrari. As a result, you will find a 2.9-litre V6 BiTurbo petrol engine - made entirely out of aluminium to save weight - under the bonnet developed using inspiration from Ferrari technologies which boasts a staggering 517PS. Paired with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission which will make gear changes in just 150 milliseconds in Race Mode, it is set to make an impact on the road, or track. On top of the 517PS unit that’s exclusive to the Quadrifoglio guises, Alfa Romeo has also confirmed that the other engines in the Stelvio range will include the 280 HP 2.0-litre Turbo petrol with 8-speed automatic transmission. This is an all-aluminium 4-cylinder unit that puts out 284PS at 5,250 rpm and maximum torque of 400Nm at 2,250 rpm. In addition to the MultiAir electrohydraulic valve actuation system, the distinctive features of this engine include the “2-in-1” turbo system and the 200-bar high-pressure direct injection system, which deliver a particularly quick response to accelerator inputs across the rev range, plus first-class fuel-efficiency. The suspension system for Stelvio Quadrifoglio features exclusive AlfaLinkTM technology delivering outstanding levels of lateral grip as well as a natural, instinctive drive regardless of the speed and conditions. Supported by Alfa Romeo’s unique Integrated Brake System (IBS) combining stability control with a traditional servo brake to guarantee instantaneous brake response
and short stopping distances, while significantly contributing to weight optimisation and carbon-ceramic brakes, you can be sure that you will be cornering and stopping just as quick as you’ll be accelerating. It’s not only in the performance stakes that Alfa are looking to make an impression, the styling is by no means reserved. The very nature of an SUV requires much larger, well, everything and the Italian marque are not holding back. However, they are not simply going bigger, they have managed to use the same design ideas that have been synonymous with the brand throughout its history to create something quite unique. Stelvio has such a strong identity, built around a few select features, like the cloverleaf front end, which is one of the most famous and recognisable hallmarks in automotive styling. The front end of the Stelvio Quadrifoglio also embodies a strong hint of power and aggression, thanks chiefly to the specific air vents for the intercoolers and the classic apertures around the shield-shaped grille. The back end of this car is instantly eyecatching too, because of the sporting appearance it gets from its lower portion, characterised by the four exhaust tips, and from the “Kamm tail” styling that gives the car a unique, unmistakeable character, while also paying tribute to Alfa Romeo’s history because this distinctive design also featured on some of its most prestigious performance-oriented models and competition cars. Everything about this car has been developed and built from the road up. Starting with its name, the new venture for Alfa Romeo is guaranteed to deliver an exhilarating driving experience. The Stelvio pass is the highest mountain pass in Italy - second highest in Europe - and the 20 km road that crosses it boasts over 75 bends, breath-taking views and a dizzyingly quick rise in altitude, all the way up to 2,758 metres. Over the years, champions of cycling and motorsport have done battle there, making the route a fully fledged sporting legend. An important transport artery in the war years of the last century, this winding road has now become a major tourist attraction. To enjoy it as it is meant to be enjoyed and squeeze every last drop of pleasure out of this unique experience - by oneself or in the company of friends and family - this is designed to be the only SUV capable of offering an unrivalled combination of driving pleasure, Italian styling and versatility.
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