The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is being publicly unveiled in Geneva. It is the first SUV of the century-old Italian brand (let's forget about this one, ok?).
The brand's expectations for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio are high. The aim is to guarantee results for Alfa as the Cayenne guaranteed for Porsche or the F-Pace is guaranteeing for Jaguar.The new Stelvio is undoubtedly the star of Alfa Romeo in Geneva. So much so that it is present in all versions known to date: First Edition version (2.0 Turbo and 280 hp), two extra full versions equipped with 2.2 liter Diesel (180 hp and 210 hp), a version with Mopar accessories, and of course, the Quadrifoglio version with 510 hp extracted from the 2.9 V6 Twin Turbo of Ferrari origin.
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Stelvio could be called Giulia SUV. It is from him that he inherits the main visual elements, such as the torn optics and the pronounced scudetto on the front.
Of course, being an SUV, its bodywork adopts a hatchback format and grows in height. There are 35 mm more ground clearance and 200 mm in bodywork height, totaling 1.67 m in height. Considering the extra volume of the bodywork, in order to lighten and streamline the Stelvio's profile, the rear window has a very pronounced inclination. Yes, we have to get the cliché…. almost like a coupe!
With the Giulia, the Stelvio not only shares the platform but also the wheelbase (2.82 m). It is, however, 44 mm longer (4.69 m) and 40 mm (1.90 m) wider than the saloon.
But it is on the scale that the new Stelvio stands out: it is the lightest SUV in the segment. At 1660 kg (1659 kg for Diesel), it is lighter than the Jaguar F-Pace and 110 kg lighter than the Porsche Macan. The intensive use of aluminum in its construction contributed a lot to this – among other details such as the carbon fiber transmission shaft.
Objective: dynamic supremacy in the segment
Dynamically, the Stelvio intends to be the reference in the segment, especially in the devouring of curves. Even the choice of name was in this direction.
It is the second model to derive from the Giorgio platform, debuted by Giulia, and everything was done to bring the Stelvio closer to this saloon in the dynamic chapter. An interesting challenge, as the Stelvio's H-Point (height from hip to ground) is 19 cm higher than that of the saloon.
Like the saloon, the Stelvio distributes its weight evenly over the two axles. Giulia inherits the suspension scheme: double superimposed triangles at the front and Alfalink (derived from the multilink scheme) at the back.
According to the brand, Stelvio has the most direct direction in the segment and, for now, it will only be available with four-wheel drive (there will be an access version with only two drive wheels). According to Alfa, the Q4 system favors the rear axle. The brand wants to guarantee a driving experience as close as possible to a rear-wheel drive.
As for the offer of engines, there are engines for all tastes. On the gasoline side of the 2.0 liter block, the power ranges between 200 and 280 hp; on the diesel side there will be two options within the same 2.2 liter block, one with 180 hp and the other with 210 hp. Without forgetting, of course, the 2.9 liter V6 Turbo version with 510 hp (from another championship…).
family vocation
As Alfa's familiar D-segment proposition, the Stelvio's extra volume is reflected in the available space. The luggage compartment capacity is 525 liters, accessible through an electrically operated gate.Inside, the familiarity is great, with the instrument panel looking like a model of the Giulia. Of course, there are Alfa DNA (allows you to choose between three driving modes) and the Alfa Connect infotainment system.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio already has a version available in Portugal, the First Edition, for 65,000 euros. The 2.2 diesel starts at 57,200 euros. We are still unable to confirm when other Stelvios arrive in our country, or their prices.