Alfa Romeo Stelvio First Edition revealed

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio First Edition has been revealed, marking the first time we’ve seen the SUV not in its hot Quadrifoglio guise. 

The First Edition is fitted with a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 276bhp and 295 lb ft of torque, coupled to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. This gives it a 0-62mph time of 5.7sec and a top speed of 143mph, which Alfa Romeo claims is class-leading performance.

With this engine, Alfa Romeo claims the Stelvio gets fuel economy of 40mpg and CO2 emissions of 161g/km.

The Q4 four-wheel drive system, which also features on the Stelvio Quadrifoglio, sends 100% of the car’s torque to the rear wheels until it senses that more grip is needed, and can then split it 50/50 between front and rear.

Despite not being the range-topping model, the First Edition gets 20in wheels, aluminium paddle shifters and contrastingly coloured brake callipers. The styling is more toned down than the Quadrifoglio's, of course, with two large exhausts in place of the hot car’s four, less aggressive air intakes and more aerodynamically subdued bodywork. 

Inside, there’s an 8.8in infotainment system with sat-nav and DAB, and a 7in TFT display set into the instrument panel. Leather upholstery and real wood trim replace the Alcantara and black finish of the performance model. 

Standard equipment includes Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and lane departure warning, a reversing camera and all-round parking sensors, as well as an electrically powered tailgate and automatic lights.

It's likely that the regular Stelvio will be revealed in the metal at the Geneva motor show in March.