Alfa Romeo Stelvio – Alpine master

By Lawrence Minnie

I first heard about the Alfa Romeo Stelvio on some obscure British auto show on the BBC and my interest was piqued. A mid-size SUV named after a spectacular mountain pass, what was the connection?  SUVs are not traditionally used to tackle beautifully tarred mountain passes.

This was my thinking until I got behind the wheel of the Alfa Romeo Giulia and I instantly fell in love with driving again. If the Stelvio was anything like the Giulia, the Stelvio would live up to everything I'd heard and more.

Euro styling

To say that the Stelvio is pretty is an understatement; it is down right gorgeous. Sculpted body-lines and Italian styling cues bring it in line with the rest of the Alfa family. The unmistakable front end, sporty grille and striking headlights make the Stelvio look like it's doing 180 while it's standing still. The back end is just as good looking with a “Kamm Tail” and dual exhaust tips, the Stelvio exudes a sports driving attitude.

Handling and Suspension

The tight and twisty mountain roads of the Western Cape’s best scenic routes made a perfect home for the Stelvio. with a name derived from one of the most famous Itailian mountain passes, it goes without saying that the Stelvio would be right at home. A double wishbone system up front and a four-and-half link in rear, given the stately name of Alfalink, ensured the Stelvio handled like a dream in the twistys thanks to the suspension system in all four corners and a near perfect weight distribution. With such precise point-and-squirt dynamics, the Stelvio carries the same DNA as the Giulia and the QV, it is a drivers car to the very last corner.

Engine and drivetrain

The Stelvio is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine, mated to an 8-speed transmission, sending power mostly to the rear wheels through a carbon fibre drive shaft. The Stelvio is blisteringly quick for a vehicle of its size, reaching 100km/h in just 5.7-seconds and it will go to its top speed of 230km/h with ease. All four wheels are driven through Alfa’s Q4All all wheel drive system, with 100 percent of the 400Nm sent to the back wheels under normal driving conditions but give it some welly in the corners and the active transfer case redirects power through the front differential resulting in a dynamic and progressive driving experience.

The 8-speed transmission is another beauty. Whip crack gear changes when using the manual shifter and making use of the Alfa DNA driving system gives a sense of urgency through the chassis, it is very prevalent when going into corners with a head of steam that this car wants to be driven, and driven hard!

Safety first

The Stelvio shares a lot with its Giulia baby brother, the platform for one but now also many of the plethora of safety and driver assistance functions.

You can now find IBS (Integrated Braking System), where a traditional servo brake is combined with the vehicle's stability control system allowing for very precise braking and improved handling under braking conditions. This is a first in the segment.

A number of other systems can also be found such as Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Active Cruise Control as well as Rear Cross Path Detection.

Interior fitment

Alfa’s designers must have spent some time around an Italian tailors shop as the interior has a decidedly NOT fiat feel about it. Luxurious leathers, wood grain and aluminium are all used to spectacular effect in a space that is not only comfortable but gives one a sense of a European sportiness. You don’t feel like you are driving an SUV but rather a much smaller two-door sports car.

The flowing lines of the dashboard feature the 8.8-inch infotainment screen utilizing FCA’s Uconnect system developed with Magnetti Marelli in Italy. The system is also connected to the Alfa DNA selector and features 3D navigation as standard across the range. The system also features Apple Car Play and Android Auto with versatile voice recognition for hands free Bluetooth.

The Stelvio is as beautiful inside as it is outside and as not only a driver's car but doubling up as a work of art.

Final Thoughts

It isn’t very often that I am totally enamored with a vehicle, but the Stelvio has got me. It is an absolutely amazing drive with everything I like in a car coupled with everything that I need in a car. Do not balk at the price as the Stelvio is aiming at the top end of the segment and if you were to spec a similar base German offering to this level you will very quickly surpass the purchase price of the Stelvio. All that is left now is to wait the agonizing 6-months until next year when the Stelvio QV arrives on our shores.

Models and Pricing

The Stelvio will be available in two models immediately after launch.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Super       -R 810 000

Alfa Romeo First Edition        -R 946 000

All Alfa Romeo Stelvios feature a 3 year / 100 000 km warranty and a 6 year / 100 000km maintenance plan as standard.