Another Italian auto to compete in the luxury SUV market
The long awaited Alfa Romeo Stelvio which, after three years of development, finally revealed itself to positive reviews at the 2016 LA Auto Show November 16th. The marque’s first SUV in its 106-year history. The SUV was named after one of the most famous driving roads in the world — the Stelvio Pass in the Italian Alps.
The Stelvio will be available with two engine options. A 2.0-liter direct-injected turbo four powers the base and mid-range Ti models, making 280 hp and 306 pounds-feet of torque. A 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine (505 hp, 443 pounds-feet of torque for a 3.9-second 0 to 60 mph time) powers the top-end Quadrifoglio. The V6 also features cylinder deactivation, shutting off half of its cylinders when not under load, for better fuel economy.
The all-wheel-drive crossover features a torque vectoring differential for better traction and stability, while its standard Q4 all-wheel-drive system allows transfer of up to 60 percent of torque to the front axle.
Inside the Stelvio shares a several features with their flagship sedan the Giulia, including its flat-bottomed steering wheel with paddle shifters. The gauge cluster features a 7-inch display nestled between the speedometer and tachometer. Two infotainment screens are available, a standard 6.5-inch screen or an 8.8-inch widescreen. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, regardless of screen size.
The Stelvio will be built at FCA’s plant in Cassino, Italy. The new crossover is expected to begin appearing in showrooms summer of 2017. The Italian automaker has not yet revealed the price of the new 2017 Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV.
