The performance version of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV, the Quadrifoglio, has gone on sale at prices starting from £69,500.
With 510hp on offer from its 2.9-litre bi-turbo V6 engine the newcomer will join a growing number of performance models in the growing premium SUV market. Challengers are expected to include the forthcoming BMW X3 M and Jaguar F-Pace SVR.
The power, combined with torque of 600Nm from 2500 to 5000rpm, sends the Stelvio Quadrifoglio through 62mph from rest in 3.8 seconds, and onto a terminal speed of over 176mph.
The engine is combined as standard with an eight-speed auto transmission and with the Q4 all-wheel-drive system – in normal mode the vehicle is rear-wheel-drive, with 100% of its torque put through the rear axle, but can transfer up to 50% to the front when conditions demand.
Alfa Romeo’s Chassis Domain Control co-ordinates a suite of electronic aids including active suspension, the electronic stability control and torque vectoring. The latter employs two electronically controlled clutches in the rear differential, separately assigning torque to each wheel, ensuring the most effective power transfer to the road under demanding conditions such as cornering on the limit.
Specification of the Quadrifoglio will be range-topping and will include bespoke 20-inch alloy wheels that require reprofiled wheel arches, a restyled rear diffuser, a four-pipe sports exhaust and bi-xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lights.
Notable elements inside include a leather dashboard and door tops, leather and Alcantara seats, leather steering wheel, carbon fibre trim and stainless steel pedals. An 8.8-inch Alfa Connect infotainment system sits in the centre console and includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility..
The safety specification is extensive too, including Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, an Integrated Braking System, Forward Collision Warning and a rear-view camera with guidance lines.
First UK deliveries of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio are expected in the summer.
