SO QUAD’S THE POINT?

The hot version of Alfa Romeo’s new Stelvio SUV will go on sale in the UK next summer.

The Stelvio Quadrifoglio is powered by the same Ferrari-made 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine used in the company’s excellent Giulia saloon. As in that car it produces 510bhp – enough for a 0-62mph time of 3.8sec and a top speed of 176mph. It’s performance that’s pretty irrelevant in a saloon car, but completely pointless in an SUV.

As if to illustrate this, Alfa sent one to the Nurburgring race track to clock a new lap record for its class around the circuit. But I wonder if it can tow a horsebox? The price for the Stelvio Quadrifoglio will be announced nearer the on-sale date.