Alfa Romeo’s first venture into the SUV market is a match made in heaven

Maggie Barry In 1923, racing driver Ugo Sivocci painted a four-leaf clover on the side of his Alfa Romeo RL racing car for good luck – and it worked.

The young Italian went on to clock up a series of wins, including the prestigious Targa Florio.

Since then, the four-leaf clover – or the quadrifoglio as it’s known in Italy – has become synonymous with Alfa Romeo and their high-performance cars, r ight up to today where it represents Alfa’s partnership in Formula 1 with Scuderia Ferrari.

It is also on the car I am drivingg – the Stelvio Quadrifoglio. The Stelviolvio is Alfa’s f irst venture into SUVUV territory and the Quadrifoglio is their top- of- the- range performer.

Delightfully, I am driving it in Competizione Red but it is equally attractive in Trofeo White or Misano Blue with Alfa’ss signature triangular grille, bodyy coloured skirts, muscular wheelel arches over the 20in alloys and a sporty rear.

Interestingly, for those who arere particular about these things – it has an aerodynamic co- efficientent of 0.3Cd.

Inside, it is all Italian – stylish,ish, well- f inished and so desirableable in black leather with red stitching, red leatherther

sporty seats withth an incredibleincredib carbonfibre backing and pianopia black gloss. When the ItaliansItalian push the boat out, it is never coming back. Even the steeringsteerin wheel feels magnificent when you lay your hands on it. But it is the drive that will seal tthe deal on this car. It behavesbeha extraordinarily. AlfaAl are at pains to point out the Stelvio is perfectly weightedweig 50/50 so the drive is extremelyex well balanced. ToT be truthful, you cannot faultfau them. The drive is lovelylov whether you are in dynamicdyn mode, natural or advanced effiefficiency, where three of the six cylinderscylind shut down to save fuel.fuel (AlsoAlsoknoknow in Alfa terms as DNA.) There is absolutely no roll on corners, which is surprising in such a large SUV, and the power and ability at your fingertips is special. I drove this car around the Trossachs – not known for wide straight roads – and it impressed.

It is athletic, powerful and very responsive. A l fa say if it is not beautiful, fast and agile then it is not an Alfa Romeo and they’ve certainly got it spot on with this car.

Even the sound is pleasing, as you go through the modes and up and down the eight- speed automatic gearbox – and that’s not something you expect in an SUV.

The Stelvio Quadrifoglio gives you the comfort and height of an SUV and the performance of a big fast sedan.

This may very well be the car for you if ever you lusted after La Dolce Vita and its attendant perks.