Alfa Romeo has revealed its first-ever crossover vehicle at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show. Named after a mountain pass in the Italian Alps, the Stelvio will compete in a scalding-hot segment.
When it goes on sale sometime next year, this lustily styled crossover should give established nameplates like Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class a run for their fat stacks of cash, but with more passion and Italian flair.
Ensuring it has more than a fighting chance, the Stelvio shares the same basic bones as the Alfa brand’s all-new Giulia sedan, which is set to go on sale very soon. It borrows plenty of this car’s interior bits as well, including the climate controls and flat-bottom steering wheel.
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SEE ALSO: 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show Coverage
Two engines will be offered in the Stelvio. The base propulsion unit is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that’s rated at 280 horsepower and 306 lb-ft of torque. This engine should provide a top speed of 144 miles an hour.
But for drivers that really want a performance utility vehicle, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio has your number. Behind its iconic triangular grille sits a fire-breathing 2.9-liter turbocharged V6 that puts out a supercar-rivaling 505 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. That should be enough fury to propel this beauty to mile-a-minute velocity in just 3.9 seconds. Top speed is an Autobahn-worthy 177 MPH.
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For maximum control, all-wheel drive is standard in the Stelvio. It can route up to 60 percent of the engine’s torque to the front axle for enhanced grip and driving dynamics. A torque-vectoring differential is also available.
The 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio is expected to go on sale sometime next year and when it does, buyers will have 13 exterior colors to choose from. Hopefully, it’s not too late for this company to cash in on the ongoing crossover craze. Per usual, pricing information is not available right now.
