THE ALFA COMMISSION
As a CAR reader for more than 45 years, I have to comment on your annual Performance Shootout. As a professional team, I am very disappointed in the test. You took performance cars and included two SUVS which is great but it is of my belief that they should be judged accordingly.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio was second quickest in the 0-100 km/h, 0-400 m, onekilometre test. Even on the braking test, it was the fastest SUV ever. On a test of this nature, I would imagine the team would ensure all vehicle tyres would be in tip-top condition but the Stelvio had a different tyre on the left front. What about tyre pressures? Was that checked? I don’t think so.
The Porsche is a great car in every aspect but it was the only real supercar against the others.
Also, I have read lots of other magazines in which the Stelvio has been tested and they all say it is the best handling SUV out there. Furthermore, there are no complaints about the interior except for the lack of a touchscreen infotainment system which is now in the latest models.
To conclude, the Giulia QV won the best car in Germany’s top publication last year and the Stelvio this year against all competitors which counts for something. I have noticed that the CAR team does not like the Alfa Romeo brand, period.
Yours truly, a disappointed reader.
BICI VAN ASWEGEN Pretoria
[Hi Bici, thanks for getting in touch and we appreciate your feedback. Contrary to your sentiment, we were delighted with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio’s performance on our #Carshootout and view its placing as a great success. Go through previous CAR shootouts and far more fancied SUVS (AMGS, Jaguar SVRS and BMW Ms) have placed far worse. It’s the highest-ranked SUV ever in the competition with, as you mentioned, many great performances along the way on the drag strip and racetrack. The fact of the matter is a peformance SUV, no matter how good, has its work cut out to beat a Porsche 718 Cayman or BMW M2 CS. Its mismatched tyre was unfortunate but ultimately out of our control as we can only evaluate the vehicle supplied to us by the manufacturer – editor.]