When Alfa Romeo liberated the Premium D-SUV segment from stylistic tedium in 2020, with the introduction of the iconic Italian brand’s first-ever SUV, fierce gesticulation from some unconvinced Alfisti saturated the conversation around the car. Three years later, with the car’s first midlife upgrade, even the most sceptical naysayers must concede, the Stelvio is a thing of beauty, and a competent one at that.
All things considered, few automotive brands exemplify elegance in design more than Alfa Romeo. In the premium D-SUV segment that’s dominated (at least in terms of unit sales) by the Teutonic triumvirate, the Stelvio is a powerful remedy to the deliberateness of German design.
That could explain why the Stelvio’s share of the premium D-SUV segment is growing again after taking a beating during the drab days of the pandemic. It might also be that those who can still afford to buy premium simply long to inject some Italian exhilaration into their daily driving routine.
WHAT’S NEW?
As a design-first alternative to the norm, it makes sense for the most significant mid-lifecycle upgrades to the Stelvio to further enhance its already delectable looks. At the front, the Stelvio still echoes the 1960s Alfa Giulietta Sprint’s iconic cloverleaf-inspired ‘Trilobo’ design, made even sexier by new ‘3+3’ full-LED adaptive matrix headlamps transplanted from the Tonale crossover.
This creates both a strong family connection with the Tonale and, at the same time, recalls one of the brand’s famous features, introduced by the iconic Alfa Romeo SZ Zagato of the 1990s and the Alfa Romeo Pro-teo concept car. The three modules comprise the Stelvio’s unique frontline and supply day light, a dynamic turn signal, and the “Welcome and Goodbye” device (a function that turns on whenever the driver closes or opens the car).
Besides its aesthetic qualities, two sophisticated new technologies have made their way to the Stelvio’s lighting system. Adaptive Driving Beam constantly adjusts the dipped beam based on the speed and driving conditions, while Glare-Free High Beam Segmented Technology automatically detects both directions of traffic to avoid blinding other cars. Finally, the third module automatically turns on while cornering to guarantee the best lateral lighting.
The most significant interior update is to the instrument panel with its telescopic design that now includes a fully digital 12.3” TFT instrument cluster to access vehicle info. The cluster can be configured in three distinctive styles: Evolved, Relax, and Heritage. Evolved offers a futuristic instrument layout that shows vehicle information on the central area of the screen, while the two outer quadrants show speed and revolutions, respectively. The minimalist Relax mode focuses on driver comfort and is free of detailed vehicle information, leaving Heritage mode, inspired by the brand’s iconic 1960s and 1970s models, showing distinctive details like inverted numbers at the end of the speedometer.
CLASS-LEADING DYNAMICS
The Stelvio’s signature driving dynamics are retained with this update, and a short drive in the Stelvio is sufficient to highlight the car’s authentic Alfa Romeo driving spirit that strikes a balance between excellent weight distribution, advanced engine technology, and an exemplary power-to-weight ratio.
The Stelvio feels light and agile thanks to a 30-kg reduction in engine weight and the extensive use of carbon fibre in the driveshaft.
Alfa’s Q4 all-wheel-drive traction management system is standard on the Stelvio Veloce, as it will be on the Stelvio Q when it joins the line-up later in the year. During everyday driving, the Stelvio operates entirely in rear-wheel mode, with the car’s Active Transfer Case constantly monitoring traction on all four wheels. Before rear-wheel slip is detected, up to 50% of the cars available 400 Nm of torque can be instantly (under 150 milliseconds) transferred to the front wheels to maintain grip.
An essential ingredient in the Alfa’s magic driving experience is the Alfa Link suspension system. On the front, double wishbones with a semi-virtual steering axis (an Alfa Romeo exclusive) optimises dynamics and allow quick steering precision that delivers on the driver’s intentions every time. On the rear, Alfa Romeo’s patented multilink system with four and a half arms keeps the tail in line even when cornering hard, without compromising ride comfort.
DELIGHTFULLY VELOCE
Power comes from Alfa’s turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine mated to a quick-firing eight-speed ZF automatic transmission with aluminium paddle shifters mounted to the steering column. With 206 kW on tap, the Stelvio Veloce will accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and run to a top speed of 230 km/h, consuming 5.7 litres of fuel in the combined cycle.
Stopping power is textbook, too, with Alfa’s electromechanical brakes and brake-by-wire system employed to significant effect when bringing the Stelvio to a standstill.
LAST WORD
There is no mistaking the Stelvio Veloce’s performance and handling credentials, and in the premium segment, you will be hard-pressed to find another D-SUV that offers the heritage, dynamism, and emotional driving experience baked into the Stelvio’s DNA.
| ENGINE | POWER (kW @ r/min) | TORQUE (Nm @ r/min) | TOP SPEED (km/h) | 0-100 KM/H (seconds) | FUEL (l/100 km) | PRICE |
| In-line 4-cyl; 1,995 cc turbo | 206 @ 5,250 | 400 @ 2,250 | 230 | 5.7 | 5.7 | R1,205,500 |
Report by BERNIE HELLBERG JR | Images © ALFA ROMEO SOUTH AFRICA
