MOTORING
Alfa Romeo Stelvio: so much more than simpy an SUV
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lfa Romeo, SUV, does that really sound right? Well it’ s a fact now with the new Stelvio.
If you have a love for cars you must at some time during your motoring life own or at least drive an Alfa Romeo, they are designed and built with emotion, passion and it certainly shows.
The design of the new Stelvio is straight away quite stunning and in my mind the best looking and classy SUV on the road; forget the clinical and yes, very efficient German marques in this premium SUV class the Stelvio is a step ahead already.
I drove both the diesel version and the petrol and both with the Q4 four wheel or allwheel drive version featuring perfect 50 / 50 weight distribution, Alfa Romeo dQ4 allwheel drive architecture, best in class powertoweight ratios and innovative engine and driver technologies, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio embodies everything a true Alfa Romeo should.
Not only that, but the Alfa Romeo Stelvio can boast at being the lightest midsize SUV in the sector thanks to its lightweight body structure and carbon fibre driveshaft.
This all works together seamlessly through an efficient and very capable eightspeed gearbox. Alfa Romeo offers the use of paddles so you can change gear manually if you wish.
The paddles are beautifully crafted from aluminium and give a premium feel which makes you want to use them, well it is an Alfa Romeo and it’ s all about the driving.
The steering and feedback you get from the steering is excellent the Stelvio feels more like a wellhoned sports saloon on the road
than an SUV.
The interior is well equipped and well put together with a simple and clean dashboard layout which I found very refreshing. The driving position and the seats are excellent. The interior finish is nicely done using premium materials wherever you look.
The Stelvio is not only a pleasure drive with handling that makes other SUV’ s feel silly it is practical as well. Certainly capable of carrying five people in comfort and style.
The 2.0litre 280hp petrol Q4 AWD engine offers best in class acceleration, going from zero to 62mph in just 5.7 seconds and onto a top speed of 143mph, while returning 40.4mpg on the combined cycle and emitting just 161g / km CO2. The 2.2litre 210hp diesel Q4 AWD meanwhile gives out 127g / km CO2 and returns 58.9mpg on the combined cycle, while still registering a top speed of 134mph and accelerating from zero to 62mph in 6.6 seconds.
It really is down to personal choice on engines as both are equally as good although I think the diesel will probably out sell the petrol version.
The allnew Alfa Romeo Stelvio stands out from the crowd thanks to its distinctive Italian design; its fluid and enjoyable handling add that to the practicality of an SUV a very fine allwheel drive system and I think this is probably the best premium SUV on offer at present.
For more information about the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, visit www. alfaromeo. co. uk
www. businessfirstonline. co. uk
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