Hanging out in the hood with the Italian Stallion, The Alfa Romeo Stelvio

flare. The different driving modes produce harder shifts with the paddles. Strange but true. Perhaps it’s to remind you of the driving mode you are in.

The Stelvio corners deceptively well, as you sprint into the bend with the apex approaching, you can sense the back end beginning to move, but before you need to correct the front wheels grab some tar and before you know it, you have exited the turn, well into your next piece of mayhem. It takes some getting used to, but I’m an average driver even on a good day, so it compensates well for my lack of skill.

The car steers well enough but the brakes are where I feel the response could be better managed. They stop the Alfa strongly, but feel lackadaisical when you initially apply pressure. One of the other vehicles I recently drove mimicked this effect.

The car is thirsty under hooligan conditions but simmers quickly in the urban commute, no doubt thanks in part to the carbon propshaft, which helps keep that unsprung weight slightly lower. The brand has taken on the criteria I had mentioned earlier by providing a solid financial and maintenance platform. Traxion finance offers flexible options with guaranteed future value allowing some peace of mind in this toxic economic maelstrom.

The wind noise is minimal at the legal limit and while the seats could be more comfy, it does support you better than some other vehicles in this segment. Overall the cabin and boot present enough space for those off the beaten path trips that families are so fond of nowadays.

The premium maintenance plan that spans six years or 100 000km sweetens the deal on this tempting red cookie.

The heritage, poise, personality and performance of the Stelvio combined with competitive pricing goes a long way to solidifying the brand in South Africa. It’s a pity we see so few of them on the road. Perhaps they need a better media company?