Meet a category conqueror: the new Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

The near 100-year history of Alfa Romeo’s Quadrifoglio badge is as fascinating as it is moving. In 1923, Alfa Romeo racing team driver Ugo Sivocci painted a good luck symbol on his car in the hunt for a maiden victory, and remarkably succeeded. Tragically, he didn’t have time to paint it on before a test at Monza a few months later, and lost his life in an accident. Since then, all Alfa Romeo performance cars have carried this unique emblem as a tribute, including some of the most evocative, heart-stoppingly gorgeous racing models ever seen. So, to put it on an SUV shows you the Italians mean business. The new Stelvio Quadrifoglio is truly a tribute to the power of confidence. Let’s take a look at what makes it so thrilling...

When it comes to fun factor, often the facts and figures can speak for themselves. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio boasts a 510bhp 2.9-litre twin turbo V6, which works together with the Q4 four-wheel drive system to produce a whopping 442lb ft of torque. The result? 0-62mph in a rapid 3.8secs. Suffice to say, pulling away will never be an issue. But that only tells half the story of how the Stelvio delivers its seismic power…

With great power comes great responsibility, which is why the Stelvio comes equipped with an innovative torque vectoring system that adjusts the distribution of torque in real time, sending as much as 50 per cent to the front if it detects wheelspin. This is a key part of the inherent balance within the Stelvio and what makes it such a pleasure to drive – as is the automatic 8-speed transmission, which while in Race mode, changes gears in just 150 milliseconds.

But don’t be fooled into thinking the Stelvio is all play and no work. How does it stay so agile with its SUV frame? Perfect weight distribution, which is something that clearly runs through every single part of its DNA. Indeed, the high-strength steel body gives it a sturdy feel, while the lightweight aluminium suspension, doors, bonnet, rear hatch, front and rear wings and engine, as well as the carbon fibre driveshaft, each ensure perfect 50/50 weight distribution.

And all that’s before the other assorted gizmos make it even safer and easier for you to drive. As part of Alfa Romeo’s new Advanced Safety and Driver Assistance system, you’ll get Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Traffic Jam and Highway Assist, Intelligent Speed Control and Traffic Sign Recognition with Intelligent Speed Control. And that’s not all: Driver Attention Assist, Forward Collision Warning with Autonomous Emergency Brake, Hill Descent Control, Park Assist, Automatic High Beam and Active Cruise Control all make any type of journey – long or short, urban or rural – an absolute breeze.

Whether you’re driving somewhere new or just keeping the family entertained, you can easily stay in control with the new 8.8” multitouch display. The easy-to-navigate system allows the driver to use both the touch screen and rotary dial to organise, zoom or change apps. Thanks to the Alfa™ Connect system with Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay, the generous display can become a mirror of your smartphone to help you stay connected easily. The system also features new Performance Pages, which give the driver direct access to unique performance data and information such as torque management and temperatures.

Of course, being an Alfa Romeo, every element is as handsome as can be, like the newly designed centre console – a fitting launchpad for adventure. Additional storage space and wireless charger add functionality to a supremely crafted tunnel that extends seamlessly into the rest of the interior. Naturally, real carbon fibre and luxurious leather surround you as you cut your swathe. The new Stelvio Quadrifoglio is quite simply a great place to spend a journey, enjoy your surroundings and discover the power of confidence.

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