Driving Alfa Romeo’s flagship Stelvio SUV – the Stelvio Quadrifoglio, the
performance flagship of the four Stelvio models at $153,500. This is a
performance SUV that’s not for the faint hearted. Alfa Romeo enlisting help from
Ferrari to ensure the Stelvio SUV and Giulia sedan models were at the top of their
game and the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine is in reality a
Ferrari engine, that influence also extending to suspension tune and overall
dynamics. In fact, this SUV is so good I’d buy one in preference to a Ferrari
sports model and save my back in the process. Alfa Romeo currently sells in
small numbers here, 30 just last month, with only the Giulia sedan and Stelvio
SUV, soon to be joined by the smaller Tonale SUV, the Italian brand’s first Hybrid.
There’s an aura about Alfa Romeo, I remember when I first starting testing cars in
1981. In the foyer of Alfa’s head office in Banksmeadow was a photo of Henry
Ford with the caption “Every time I see an Alfa Romeo pass, I tip my hat.” Henry
Ford fully aware of the brands sports image from its numerous race victories
especially in the 1930’s. Drive details of the Stelvio Quadrifoglio in an hour. I’m
David Berthon

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