What is it?
Despite recent market shifts away from diesel, Alfa expects that 84% of Alfa Romeo Stelvios sold will be oil-burners. This in turn means a 2143cc four-cylinder engine in either entry-level 178bhp form (available in rear-drive or ‘Q4’ four-wheel-drive spec) or the peppier 207bhp version driven here, which comes with Q4 as standard. This is our first spin in a UK market right-hand-drive example.
Rounded up to 2.2 litres for naming purposes, the car features an all-aluminium diesel engine and defies convention by actually weighing less than its 2.0-litre petrol counterpart – albeit by only 1kg. At 1659kg, it’s a lightweight by premium SUV standards, further aided by the extensive use of aluminium body panels and suspension components, and a carbonfibre prop shaft. The transmission is the same eight-speed ZF torque converter that features across the line-up.
The suspension architecture (front double wishbones, multi-link rear) is lifted from the Alfa Romeo Giulia saloon with which the Stelvio shares the Giorgio platform, although new springs and dampers have been introduced for the higher-riding Stelvio.
Our test car comes in Super specification – the lowest grade available with this engine. It features the likes of power tailgate, hill-descent control, 8.8in infotainment touchscreen with sat-nav, Alfa’s DNA drive selector, 18in alloys, sat-nav and part-leather seats; although after the options list had been raided, this example’s spec largely surpassed the £3800 pricier Speciale model. Limited-run Milano Edizione spec is a temporary range-topper at launch, commanding an additional £1700.
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Looking past the badge, i really don't think it looks anything special, especially the inside - it looks very cheap.
I saw a Guila the other day at the station in passing, and the panel gaps are simply not up to par with the competition, they are quite poorly finished to be honest. I think people simply want the brand to bring out something great, but really they are nothing like the old for driving pleasure (what car is), reliability woes are still there - the Gulia for example has been having not just ecu issues across multiple review sources (they can claim it to be fixed all they like, they are still messing about), it also has problems with leaks and battery issues already (not just the QF version).
Hopefully time will change things for them.
Just watched 2 video reviews
Just watched 2 video reviews on youtube, one said it massively out handled an F-Pace and possibly even a Macan. The other said it didn't match even the F-Pace for handling. It certainly splits the judging! - Its one of those you can read about, but really should dismiss the various agendas and test for yourself.
and an industrial sounding engine...
that puts me off no matter how economical it is. Curious how a petrol 2.0 weighs more than a 2.2 diesel.
jer wrote:
There are no diesel 4 pots that don't sound aggricultural - if you want a decent sounding diesel you need a 6 cylinder
It just depends whether the reviewer needs to find something to nit pick on whether it's mentioned - so I wouldn't let that put anyone off from at least test driving the Stelvio.
It is curious how it's so light compared to petrol version but it's impressive statistically