Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Overview
Manufacturer	Alfa Romeo
Production	2016–present
Model years	2018–present
Assembly	FCA Cassino Plant, Cassino, Frosinone, Italy[1]
Body and chassis
Class	Compact luxury crossover SUV
Body style	5-door crossover SUV
Layout	F4 layout or FR layout (2.0 Turbo Petrol)[2]
Platform	Giorgio
Related	Alfa Romeo Giulia (952)
Powertrain
Engine	2.9 L F154 V6 twin turbo petrol 2.0 L I4 turbo petrol 2.2 L I4 turbo-diesel
Transmission	8-speed automatic (ZF 8HP)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,818 mm (110.9 in)
Length	4,687 mm (184.5 in)
Width	1,903 mm (74.9 in) exl mirrors
Height	1,648 mm (64.9 in)
Kerb weight	1,660 kg (3,660 lb)

Stelvio Q NRING Edition

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio (Tipo 949) is a front engine, all wheel drive, five door compact luxury crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by the Alfa Romeo subdivision of FCA since debuting at 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show and entering production at the Cassino Plant at the end of 2016.^[3]

Sharing the platform of the mid size Giulia sedan, the Stelvio uses FCA's Giorgio platform, ultimately to be shared with Maserati, Dodge and Jeep.^[4] The name Stelvio derives from the Stelvio Pass,^[1] Italy's highest mountain pass, noted for its 48 circuitous switchbacks.^[5]

History and development

Preceded by the Kamal concept car in March 2003, the Stelvio is Alfa Romeo's first production SUV, using a modified version of the Giorgio platform shared with the Giulia, available in both rear and all-wheel drive configurations.^[6] Alfa Romeo made its first off roader, the Matta, in the 1950s.^[7]

The sporting trim level of the Stelvio, the Quadrifoglio, was unveiled on November 16, 2016 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The European versions of the Stelvio were presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2017. The car's engine lineup is similar to that of the Giulia's, with a turbocharged 2.0 litre inline-four and a 2.2-litre diesel inline four.

The Quadrifoglio trim level will offer a 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 rated with 510 metric horsepower (375 kW; 503 hp) developed by Ferrari for Alfa Romeo.^[8] On January 18, 2017, Alfa Romeo began accepting orders for the Stelvio First Edition in the EMEA region. On November 2, 2017, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio went on sale in Italy.^[9]

For model year 2019 Stelvio diesel engines got updates to meet the Euro 6d emission standards, with AdBlue technology introduced to tackle particulates in the exhaust. 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) and 180 PS (132 kW; 178 hp) versions got 10 PS (7 kW; 10 hp) more power. Also all models have now an 8.8-inch infotainment system with Apple Car Play and Android Auto as standard, and small tweaks have been made throughout the ranges.^[10] In Europe consumption standards use now WLTP measuring system, which should give more accurate consumption and emission figures.

Chassis, mechanics and suspensions

The Stelvio uses the same Giorgio platform already used by the Giulia, but slightly modified and raised by 22 cm (8.7 in) compared to the sedan. The Stelvio has also the same engines and most of the mechanics, including a carbon fiber driveshaft. In addition, compared to the Giulia, its track 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).

It has a 50/50 weight distribution between the two axles, and a drag coefficient of 0.30. To help keep the Stelvio's weight in check, Alfa Romeo uses aluminum for many body parts such as the fenders, hood, and tailgate, as well as for mechanical parts such as the suspension, braking system, and engine.

The suspension, called AlfaLink, implements double wishbones in the front, and an aluminum 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 190 mm (7.5 in) higher from the road than in the Giulia.^[11]

Alfa's "Q4" all wheel drive system, which is normally rear drive but sends up to 50% of power to the front in low-grip conditions, is standard on all trim levels, except an entry level turbo petrol version. The Stelvio weighs 1,660 kg (3,660 lb) with fluids, 145 kg (320 lb) less than an equivalent BMW X3 and 185 kg (408 lb) less than a 4-cyl Porsche Macan.^[11]

Models

In North America, the Stelvio will be available in three different trim levels: Stelvio, Stelvio Ti (for Turismo internazionale) and Quadrifoglio.

In 2018 Geneva Motor Show was unveiled limited edition (only 108 examples) NRING edition of Stelvio (Nürburgring-inspired special edition). The NRING edition has Carbon-ceramic brakes, Sparco carbonfibre seats, carbonfibre interior trim, a Mopar-branded gear shifter and Mopar floor mats, the cars are differentiated on the exterior by 'NRING' badges as well as carbonfibre mirror caps and side skirts. Equipment is upgraded to include adaptive cruise control and a premium sound system.^[12]

In 2018 NYIAS was unveiled Nero Edizione' Package for Stelvio, a new exterior appearance through special blacked-out wheels, badging, and other touches. The Nero Edizione package is available only for the 280-horsepower, 2.0-liter model.^[13]

Safety

Euro NCAP test results
Alfa Romeo Stelvio (2017)[14]
Test	Points	%
Overall:
Adult occupant:	37	97%
Child occupant:	41.6	84%
Pedestrian:	30.2	71%
Safety assist:	7.3	60%

The Stelvio was crash tested in July 2017 by Euro NCAP, with a score of 97% for the adult occupant protection. Overall, the Stelvio achieved five star results. For adult protection, the Stelvio did "exceptionally well" , with its near perfect 97 percent score matching that of the Volvo XC90 (all tests are not comparable because Euro NCAP updated its protocols in 2017).

The Stelvio is also fitted with an autonomous emergency braking system (AEB) as standard.^[15]

Engines and performance

On 29 September 2017, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio claimed the title of "World’s Fastest Production SUV", with a Nürburgring lap time of 7 minutes, 51.7 seconds.^[16]

2.9 L V6 Quadrifoglio Twin Turbo engine

Awards

• 2018 'Crossover of the Year' By Popular Mechanics.^[21]
• Car and Driver 2018 Editors’ Choice
• SUV of the Year 2018’ for ‘Auto Zeitung’^[22]
• Stelvio Quadrifoglio Performance SUV of the Year by AVA^[23]

References