The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)

Blistering new Alfa Romeo SUV

- Jack mckeown motoring editor

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifogl­io is the fastest SUV in its class, according to its makers.

Evidence for the claim is a remarkable 3.8-second 0-62mph time from the newcomer, a top speed of 176mph and an Suv-record-setting lap record of 7 min 51.7s around the legendary 14-mile Nurburgrin­g circuit in Germany.

It goes on sale in the UK from the summer of 2018 and is Alfa Romeo’s first high-performanc­e SUV.

The new model will target the latest generation of performanc­e SUVS, including the forthcomin­g BMW X3 M and F-type SVR, as well as the wellestabl­ished Porsche Macan.

The Quadrifogl­io will sit at the top of the Stelvio range, Alfa Romeo’s first SUV, which went on sale in September.

There’s no word yet on how much the new model will cost but industry chatter is that it’ll be around the £65,000 mark.

That more or less matches the premium applied to the Quadrifogl­io version of the Alfa Romeo Giulia salon over the most expensive standard version, the Veloce. The current top of the range Stelvio Milano costs £45,390.

Under the bonnet lies a 2.9-litre turbocharg­ed V6, which produces 503bhp and 600Nm of torque and is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Helping to deploy that power is a ‘Q4’ four-wheel-drive system. For the most part the Stelvio Quadrifogl­io will be a rear-wheel-drive car, but up to half the engine’s torque can be transferre­d to the front wheels when needed.

Indeed, the all-wheel-drive system includes torque vectoring to individual­ly control power delivery to each wheel, while carbon-ceramic brakes will also be part of the Quadrifogl­io specificat­ion.

The car will be distinguis­hed from other Stelvio models by exterior modificati­ons including additional vents on the bonnet and flanks, side skirts, large body-coloured wheel arches and quadruple exhaust finishers. The interior will feature extensive use of leather, Alcantara and carbon fibre trim.

The “Quadrifogl­io” badge is Alfa Romeo’s performanc­e sub-brand. The Giulia Quadrifogl­io is a super-saloon that shares some of the Stelvio Quadrifogl­io’s technology.

With Jaguar developing an “R” version of its F-pace and BMW creating “M” versions of its X3 and X5 models, it seems we’re heading towards something of a golden age for performanc­e SUVS.

That also means this Alfa will have some very stern competitio­n indeed – and that’s without mentioning the already-available Tesla Model X, an all-electric SUV that can get from 0-62mph almost a full second sooner than the Stelvio Quadrifogl­io.

Plenty of people prefer the growl of a big petrol engine to the silence of an electric motor, however, and Alfa Romeo has no shortage of fans.

I suspect its latest model will do well. jmckeown@thecourier.co.uk

 ??  ?? Alfa Romeo’s fastest SUV can hit 62mph in 3.8 seconds and has a 176mph top speed. Expect to part with around £65,000 for one when it goes on sale next summer.
Alfa Romeo’s fastest SUV can hit 62mph in 3.8 seconds and has a 176mph top speed. Expect to part with around £65,000 for one when it goes on sale next summer.
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