As the second version of vehicles built on an all-new platform, the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio is said to represent La meccanica delle emozioni – the mechanics of emotion – in what is a crowded, but extremely popular crossover SUV segment, arguably the largest in the world, and the fastest growing.
“The all-new Stelvio, named after one of the greatest driving roads in the world – the Stelvio Pass in the Italian Alps – sets a new benchmark for the segment,” claimed Reid Bigland, Head of Alfa Romeo who was paid to say that. “Stelvio is uniquely engineered to challenge two-door sports cars on the track, without sacrificing any of the characteristics you would expect from a premium SUV, resulting in the perfect mix of high performance, capability and Italian design.”
Assembled by Alfa Romeo workers at the Cassino plant in Italy, the all-new 2018 Stelvio is claimed to be a premium mid-size SUV for driving enthusiasts that stands out in one of the largest and fastest growing segments in the U.S., an as noted globally.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Stelvio Ti models have an all-aluminum, 2.0-liter, direct-injection turbocharged engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This delivers a claimed class-leading 280 horsepower and 306 lb.-ft. of torque (maybe, but it ain’t 2018 yet, and every automaker is running hard to grab share here), with a class-exclusive carbon fiber driveshaft, and more mundane dual exhaust with bright tips, 18-inch aluminum wheels (optional 19- and 20-inch wheels), leather seating, backup camera with rear park sensors, power liftgate, a flat-bottom steering wheel with integrated push button start.
In addition to the standard features in the all-new Stelvio, Stelvio Ti adds standard 19-inch wheels, genuine wood interior trim and an 8.8-inch widescreen infotainment display. More expensive Sport and Lusso packages provide drivers with two unique offerings that further accentuate the bold characteristics of Stelvio Ti.
Stelvio Quadrifoglio
With the most powerful Alfa Romeo production engine ever, Stelvio Quadrifoglio is the “halo” model in the lineup. This high-performance SUV (or is that truck?) has an all-aluminum, direct-injection 2.9-liter 24-valve bi-turbo intercooled V6 engine, rated at a best-in-class 505 horsepower and 443 lb.-ft. of torque, and a standard Q4 all-wheel-drive system. (Take that Porsche Cayenne.)
The Stelvio Quadrifoglio includes high-performance and allegedly functional exterior design elements, plus a performance suspension, brakes and wheels. Inside, the leather and Alcantara front seats, have 12-way power and adjustable thigh support. Other tidbits include a Quadrifoglio leather-wrapped steering wheel with accent stitching and performance contours, leather-wrapped instrument panel with accent stitching and carbon fiber interior trim.
Aside from the flashy trim, advanced technology features unique to the Stelvio Quadrifoglio include a four-mode Alfa DNA Pro selector with Race mode, torque vectoring differential, Quadrifoglio-tuned adaptive suspension, Quadrifoglio instrument cluster with a 200 mph Viagra advertising inspired speedometer – perfect in the U.S. with its 70 mph speed limits – and a cylinder deactivation system.
Ultra-high performance options for Stelvio Quadrifoglio
- Ultra-lightweight carbon fiber shell Sparco racing seats, providing lateral support during extreme cornering via more aggressive bolstering, and designed to be the lightest in the segment, while providing comfort for long road trips
- Ultra-high-performance Brembo carbon-ceramic material (CCM) brake system.
