New Alfa Romeo SUV: Stelvio
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio (Type 949) is a car built by the Italian marque Alfa Romeo since 2016.
As a D-segment model it slots above the smaller Tonale model in the marque’s SUV range.
A large SUV, it was first revealed at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show, introduced by a 60″ short film directed by Louis Sebastian Pane, and entered production at the Cassino Plant at the end of 2016.
In 2018 it was Alfa Romeo’s best-selling model, with roughly 43,000 sold that year.
The Stelvio uses FCA’s Giorgio platform, shared with the D-segment Giulia saloon.
The name Stelvio derives from the Stelvio Pass, Italy’s highest mountain pass, noted for its 48 circuitous switchbacks.
The Stelvio uses the same Giorgio platform already used by the Giulia, but slightly modified and raised by 22 cm (8.7 in).
The Stelvio also shares the same engines and most of the mechanics, including a carbon-fibre driveshaft. In addition, its track width has increased by 2.9 cm (1.1 in) in the rear and 5.4 cm (2.1 in) in the front. It has a boot capacity of 525 L (18.5 cu ft).
The boot sill is aligned with the rear bumper and cargo does not need to be lifted over a lip when being removed. There are large vehicle blind spots behind the car’s pillars.
It has a 50/50 weight distribution and a drag coefficient of 0.32 (Cd).
Euro NCAP classify it as a large off-road car.
In order to reduce the weight of the car, aluminium is used for body panels, as well as for mechanical parts such as the suspension, brakes, and engine. The suspension, called AlfaLink, implements double wishbones in the front, and an aluminium multi-link configuration in the rear.
The springs are longer than those in the Giulia, but stiffer to account for the extra weight and ride height. The driver sits nearly 20 cm (7.9 in) higher from the road than in the Giulia.
The suspension is tuned for improved handling and driving dynamics, which can compromise ride quality if optional larger-diameter wheels are fitted.
Rear-wheel drive as standard, the Stelvio can be optioned with an Alfa Romeo “Q4” all-wheel drive system, which can send up to 50% of power to the front in low-grip conditions. The Stelvio weighs 1,660 kg (3,660 lb) with all fluids, 145 kg (320 lb) less than an equivalent BMW X3 and 110 kg (243 lb) less than a four-cylinder Porsche Macan.
The car’s braking system is designed to be less-susceptible to brake fade, which can take time for unfamiliar drivers to get used to.
All models feature an 8.8-inch infotainment system with Apple Car Play and Android Auto as standard, while small tweaks have been made throughout the ranges.
