Introduction: In the 20’s and 30’s Alfa Romeo
was unbeatable, winning, 11 editions of the Mille Miglia, four, 24 hour Le Mans
races and in 1951, Alfa Romeo won the first two F1 championships. Thanks to their
exceptional racing cars over the years, Alfa Romeo have cemented in history, a
nostalgic brand, loved by Italians and many other car enthusiasts around the
world. Now, in their 12th distinguished decade in business, the Alfa
Romeo company, fueled by passion for design, technological innovation, and performance,
brings you an upgraded facelifted version of the 2016 Stelvio - Veloce and oh
my, it’s a real beauty! Aptly called a Stelvio, meaning “rugged” in Italian, (and
Veloce, meaning “fast”), this strikingly good looking mid-sized SUV turned many
a head at shopping center's and country clubs, reaffirming my personal impression
of this visually appealing car.
Engine & Drive: Oozing with power from its
206 kw, 400 Nm, 2L turbo engine, the Stelvio races from zero to 100 in a blur
of just 5.7 seconds – Correct, true story! The slick shifting 8 speed ZF automatic
transmission is smooth, and the column mounted aluminium paddle shifters are ultra
satisfying to use and look very nice. The new Q4 AWD system, the same that
Maserati uses, works fantastically well with real time torque distribution between
the front and rear axles, when AWD takes over from the standard RWD. Three
modes for your preference of driving are available, aka Alfa Romeo DNA: Dynamic,
which allows for more sporty driving; Natural, which focuses on driving comfort
and Advanced Efficiency, which is an economic mode. The multi-function steering
wheel is wonderful to the touch, is covered in premium leather and is
responsive and precise on demand. I felt very confident when driving this stunner,
as the Stelvio delivered a genuine feel of agility and ability when navigating
corners, whether on a relaxing Sunday drive or needing a quick overtake to get
to that weekly rugby braai, that I love so much. The combined fuel efficiency
claimed by Alfa Romeo is 5.7 L/100 km, but while testing the Stelvio and
putting it through its paces, around town, I averaged a respectable 10 L per
100.
Abbondanza, Italian for “plenty” is the right word to
describe the number of Features: The features are all included in the
offering and there are many at that, but here goes some to get you technologically
excited: Wireless charging pad, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 22 cm
infotainment touch screen, autonomous emergency braking, emergency pedestrian
braking, drowsy driver detection, lane keep assist, lane departure warning,
Forward collision warning, Intelligent speed assist with speed limiting, hands
free tailgate, 6 way power driver and
passenger seat adjusters, heated steering wheel and heated front seats, front
and rear usb ports - A type, 230V 50 hz aux power in the boot and many more. Another
display feature which I enjoyed was the choice of 3 different instrument
cluster displays, in digital of course, called Evolve, Relax and Heritage, set
back, but in perfect view, behind the sporty steering wheel. Ergonomics were
carefully considered when developing the dashboard and I loved the clean, crisp,
and user-friendly use of materials, buttons, and panels.
Styling, space and looks: The 20-inch diamond
cut alloy wheels give the sexy Stelvio massive curb appeal, making it stand out
from the crowd with deserved pride. The funky looking grille with 3 LED lights,
for each adaptive headlight between the badge, looks great and brags a strong Alfa
Romeo look. I found the sports seats to be very comfortable, despite my big
frame and was super impressed with the space available in the boot. As an avid
golfing hacker, boot space is important so that I can fit my clubs in without
having to drop a seat and then be able to transport my mates’ prizes home after
their successful golf day!
In summary: I am a closet Italian with a deep
love and appreciation for scrumptious pizza and fine wine and now, thanks to
the Stelvio, I can add a beautiful Italian car to this romantic equation! If
you are not looking for average and you fully expect quality from a SUV that steers
like a 2 door, then you seriously need to drive this car to comprehend what its
all about. Some say that once you have driven an Alfa Romeo you will always
want to own one - I can see why, and I now understand the much talked about charm.
It’s just something that grabs you and maybe it’s the pull and allure of anything
Italian for me - whatever it is, I am pleased to say that my heart has unapologetically
made the connection.
*Article written is my opinion only – For detailed accuracy
of specs please contact Alfa Romeo SA*
