Alfa Romeo unveils Stelvio SUV 24 | 02 | 2017

    ALFA ROMEO HAS launched its first SUV in more than a century. The all-new Stelvio — which will go on-sale in Scottish dealerships in the autumn, with prices starting around £35,000 — is, perhaps, the most important car in the marque’s history.

    Stepping in to the increasingly lucrative SUV market for the first time, the new Stelvio — inspired by Italy’s highest mountain pass, an epic 20 kilometre driving route with more than 75 hairpins — is set to go head-to-head against the likes of the Audi Q5, Jaguar F-Pace, Mercedes GLC, BMW’s soon-to-be-replaced X3, and even Porsche Macan.

    So important is it, that the new SUV is likely to account for as much as two thirds of Alfa sales in Scotland over the next five years.

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    The Stelvio is based heavily on the underpinnings of the well received Giulia saloon, and when it enters Scottish showrooms it will initially be available with the choice of two engines.

    There’s a 276bhp 2.0-litre turbo petrol delivering 400Nm of torque, and a 2.2-litre diesel with 207bhp and 470Nm. Both get an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard; a manual isn’t even available as an option. And both will have all-wheel-drive as standard, utilising the same Q4 system as seen first on the Giulia.

    A fiery, much more potent 503bhp flagship will join the range next year. Capable of hitting 62mph from standstill in under four-seconds, the range-topper is likely to cost more than £60,000.

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    As for the diesel, which is likely to be the biggest seller in Scotland, it’ll do 0-62mph in an attractive 6.6secs, carry on to a top speed of 134mph, return 58mpg at the pumps and emit 127g/km CO2.

    Inside the cabin there’s an air of junior Maserati, such is the high quality of finish and build. It’s clear Alfa has moved on significantly in terms of mixing it with its class-leading rivals from Germany.

    Space upfront is excellent, and rear passengers can sit back in comfortable relaxation without feeling cramped. Alfa has still to confirm pricing for the UK market, but it’s likely only the top versions will come with leather seats.

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    However, the Italian designers have incorporated a stylish blend of leather, fabrics, aluminium and real wood in the cabin — depending on the trim level, of which there will be three: Stelvio, Stelvio Super and Stelvio Tecnica.

    The Stelvio spec gets 17in alloys, 8.8-inch Alfa Connect, Alfa D.N.A Rotary selector, 8-speaker audio system, black fabric seats (front with sliding, reclining and height adjustments), Integrated Brake System (IBS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with Autonomous Emergency Brake (AEB) and pedestrian detection. This version also includes parking sensors, cruise control, electric tailgate and dusk and rain sensors.

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    The Stelvio Super version builds on this with additional interior and exterior features: 18in alloys, techno-leather and fabric seats in a choice of three colours (black, black/brown and black/red), and three options for the dashboard and door panels (black, black/brown or black/red) and door sills with steel inserts.

    An additional Luxury Pack and Sports Pack are also available to customers looking to go the extra mile. The Luxury Pack includes full grain leather seats (in black, brown, red or beige) with electrical adjustment and heating system, as well as real wood inserts. The Sport Pack comes with heated sports steering wheel, specific grip and leather wrapping, racing-style leather seats in black, red or brown, with electric adjustment and heating system, aluminium inserts and steel pedals.

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    The introduction of Alfa Romeo Stelvio Tecnica offers a strong proposition to fleet, corporate and professional customers. Exclusively available with the diesel engine, it features the 8.8-inch Alfa Connect 3D Nav, Bi-Xenon headlights with AFS and electric folding mirrors.

    The Stelvio is fitted with the Alfa Connect Infotainment system, with the latest-generation HMI interface and which is controlled from the Rotary Pad; the display is incorporated in the dashboard.

    The latest-generation infotainment system not only controls the DAB digital radio but also provides a Bluetooth system for hands-free communication and playing audio from USB and smartphones devices.

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    The entire range is supplied as standard with an 8.8in display with optional Connect 3D Nav 8.8in which supplies navigation with high-resolution 3D maps and high-speed route calculation. The system is also available without a GPS signal thanks to the Dead Reckoning technology, TomTom map updating from the USB port, driving style information and Alfa D.N.A. mode.

    A sophisticated audio system featuring eight speakers (four woofers and four tweeters) is standard across the range. Ten speakers (four woofers, four tweeters, a mid-range and a subwoofer in the boot), and a 14 speaker Harman Kardon system (four woofers, four tweeters, five mid-ranges and a subwoofer) are also available as an option.

    Related: Order books open for Alfa Romeo Guila

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    Jim McGill

     

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