It seems with the new Stelvio, Alfa Romeo is combining all of the hottest automotive trends and buzzwords into one car: SUV, 500 horsepower, Ferrari engine, carbon fiber and aluminum… Italian.
The Stelvio is Alfa's latest push into the American market, following the launch of the 4C sports car and Giulia compact sedan, but this is arguably their most important vehicle. America – and much of the rest of the world, for that matter – is SUV-crazy, and while other luxury automakers are wooing buyers into the showroom with subtle design and smart tech, it seems Alfa Romeo would rather hit you over the head with power and boldness.
From a looks standpoint, the Stelvio has hardly an equal, with accentuated curves, an impossibly aggressive front end, a handsome tapered roofline, and tall, rounded rear with quad exhaust pipes that tell you “this is how you'll most often be viewing the Stelvio.”
The scowling headlights and signature triangular grille make this SUV look wholly different from any luxury competitor that's come before, and while it's definitely not for everyone, I've got to admit that I'm a fan.
Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that Ferrari-sourced engine, a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 that makes an astonishing 505 horsepower in high-performance Quadrifoglio trim. Reid Bigland, Global Head of Maserati and Alfa Romeo, claims the Stelvio Quadrifoglio will have the performance to compete with two door sports cars on the track. With a power figure like that and a 0-60 time of less than 4 seconds, I'm inclined to believe him. It's even got 65 horsepower on the most powerful Porsche Macan.
An adaptive air suspension, lightweight carbon fiber, magnesium, and aluminum construction, a 50-50 weight distribution, and torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive that can send most of the power to the rear wheels will make this the fastest SUV ever around the German Nurburgring, by Alfa's estimations. Not to shabby for a portly four-door.
The two other Stelvio trims available are the standard base trim, and mid-tier Ti trim, both featuring a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder and an 8-speed automatic transmission that makes for 280 horsepower and 306 lb.-ft. of torque, hustling even the base model along to 60 mph in just over 5 seconds.
Inside, you'll find a flat-bottomed steering wheel with start/stop functionality right on the wheel, premium leather seating, a 7-inch color driver display and 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, as well as Alfa's “DNA” drive mode selector, with the option for “Race” functionality on the Quadrifoglio. There are also adaptive safety features like automatic emergency braking and blind spot assist, and convenience and luxury features like connected apps and a Harman/Kardon stereo.
The Stelvio will be coming to the U.S. late next year as a 2018 model, but if Alfa is able to woo customers on performance and sex appeal alone, expect there to be lines out the dealership door to reserve one.
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