The Alfa Romeo Stelvio (Type 949) is a luxury crossover SUV produced by the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo since 2016. As a D-segment model it slots above the smaller Tonale model in the marque's SUV range. It was first revealed at the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show and entered production at the Cassino Plant at the end of 2016. In 2018 it was Alfa Romeo's best-selling model, with roughly 43,000 sold that year. In 2024, it had fallen behind the Tonale in the U.S. as sales dropped to just 3,162 from 12,043 in 2018.
The Stelvio uses FCA's Giorgio platform, shared with the D-segment Giulia saloon. The name Stelvio derives from the Stelvio Pass, Italy's highest mountain pass, noted for its 48 circuitous switchbacks.
Characteristics
The Stelvio uses the same Giorgio platform already used by the Giulia, but slightly modified and raised by . The Stelvio also shares the same engines and most of the mechanics, including a carbon-fibre driveshaft. In addition, its track width has increased by in the rear and in the front. It has a boot capacity of . The boot sill is aligned with the rear bumper and cargo does not need to be lifted over a lip when being removed. There are large vehicle blind spots behind the car's pillars. It has a 50/50 weight distribution and a drag coefficient of 0.32 (Cd).2018_AR_Stelvio_Specifications.pdf: 2018_AR_Stelvio_SP - 2018_AR_Stelvio_Specifications.pdf , accessed 10 November 2018 Euro NCAP classify it as a large off-road car.
In order to reduce the weight of the car, aluminium is used for body panels, as well as for mechanical parts such as the suspension, brakes, and engine. The suspension, called AlfaLink, implements double wishbones in the front, and an aluminium multi-link configuration in the rear. The springs are longer than those in the Giulia, but stiffer to account for the extra weight and ride height. The driver sits nearly higher from the road than in the Giulia. The suspension is tuned for improved handling and driving dynamics, which can compromise ride quality if optional larger-diameter wheels are fitted.
The Stelvio is offered with rear-wheel drive standard, or with an optional Alfa Romeo "Q4" all-wheel drive system that can send up to 50% of power to the front low-grip conditions.The Stelvio weighs with all fluids, less than an equivalent BMW X3 and less than a four-cylinder Porsche Macan. Its braking system is designed to be less susceptible to fade, a characteristic that can take unfamiliar drivers time to adjust to.
All models feature an 8.8-inch infotainment system with Apple Car Play and Android Auto coming standard, while small tweaks have been made throughout the ranges.
Engines and performance The car's engine lineup is similar to that of the Giulia's, with a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-four and a 2.2-litre diesel inline-four. The Quadrifoglio trim level offers a 2.9 litre 690T twin-turbo 90° V6 rated at , developed for Alfa Romeo by Ferrari. In Europe, consumption standards use the WLTP measuring system, which increases accuracy for consumption and emission figures. On 29 September 2017, a Quadrifoglio model set a Nürburgring lap time of 7 minutes, 51.7 seconds, the fastest for a production SUV.Top Gear: Stelvio Quadrifoglio laps in 7min 51sec – the fastest for a production SUV , access-date: 30 September 2017
Engine/Transmission Displacement Max. power output(CE) Peak torque(CE) Top speed Combined consumption(CE) CO2 emissions(CE) RegionsPetrol engine range2.0 L I4 GME T4 MultiAir Turbo AT8 Q4 at 1750 rpm 7.2 s 161 2.0 L I4 GME T4 MultiAir Turbo AT8 Q4 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a2020+ engine option, detuned to avoid Italian "superbollo" taxCarCar.news: Alfa Romeo Giulia and the Stelvio: get the 2.0 anti superbollo - CarCar.news , access-date: 15. June 2020 2.0 L I4 GME T4 MultiAir Turbo AT8 Q4Fiat Chrysler Automobiles EMEA Press: Orders open for Alfa Romeo Stelvio First Edition - Press Releases - Fiat Chrysler Automobiles EMEA Press , access-date: 18. January 2017 at 5250 rpmFiat Chrysler Automobiles EMEA Press: seconds in Race mode. The transmission also features a lock-up clutch to give the driver a powerful feeling of in-gear acceleration once the gear is engaged. Depending on the mode you set with the AlfaTM DNA Pro selector, what's more, the auto box optimises fluidity, comfort and ease of driving in all environments, including around town, and further improves fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Steering-column-mounted, aluminium paddle shifters also feature as standard. , access-date: 16. november 2016 at 2,250–4,500 rpm 5.7 s 161 2.9 L 90° V6 24v Twin turbo 690T AT8 Q4 at 6,500 rpm at 2,500–5,500 rpm 3.8 s 2.9 L 90° V6 24v Twin turbo 690T MT6 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a limited Racing editionMY2024Diesel engine range2.2 L I4 Multijet II AT8150 PS (148 hp; 110 kW) at 1750 rpm198 km/h (123 mph)8.8 s 1242.2 L I4 Multijet II MT6Automotive World: New term updates for the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio this September | Automotive World , access-date: 15. September 2018 at 4,000 rpm at 1,500 rpm 8.2 s n/a 129 MY20192.2 L I4 Multijet II AT8 at 1750 rpm 7.6 s 124 2.2 L I4 Multijet II AT8 Q4 at 1750 rpm 210 km/h (130 mph) 7.6 s 127 2.2 L I4 Multijet II MT6 at 3,750 rpm at 1,750 rpm 7.6 s n/a 149 MY20192.2 L I4 Multijet II AT8 Q4 at 1750 rpm 6.6 s 127 AT8 eight speed automatic transmission, Q4 all wheel drive.
North American engines and performance
Engine and transmission Displacement Max. power Peak torque Top speed EPA fuel economycombined Notes Petrol engine range 2.0 L I4 GME MultiAir Turbo AT8 Q4 5.4 s 2.9 L 90° V6 24v Twin turbo 690T AT8 3.6 s
Safety
The Stelvio was crash tested in July 2017 by Euro NCAP. Overall, the Stelvio achieved five-star results. For adult protection, it did "exceptionally well", with its 97% score matching that of the Volvo XC90 (all tests are not comparable because Euro NCAP updated its protocols in 2017). The organisation found that the Stelvio generally did well at protecting adult occupants in a crash, though it was noted that protection of a rear passenger's chest was only adequate. For child occupants the Stelvio also performed at-least adequately except for protecting the neck of the dummy representing a ten-year-old child, which it was weak at in the frontal-offset test. They found that the bonnet is generally at-least adequate at protecting a pedestrian's head in an impact but that the windscreen and a-pillars did a bad job at protecting a pedestrian's head. The bumper was found to protect pedestrians' legs well in a collision but the area above the bumper varied in how well it protected a struck pedestrian's pelvis. The organisation said the Stelvio's autonomous emergency braking system "performed well" in their tests but found operating the driver-set speed limiter to be "too complicated".
The Stelvio is also fitted with an autonomous emergency braking system (AEB) as standard.
History and development
Preceded by Alfa Romeo's first off-roader, the Matta, in the 1950s and the Kamal concept car in March 2003, the Stelvio is Alfa Romeo's first production SUV. The high-performance trim of the Stelvio, the Quadrifoglio, was unveiled on 16 November 2016 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The European versions of the Stelvio were presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2017. On January 18, 2017, Alfa Romeo began accepting orders for the Stelvio First Edition in the EMEA region. On November 2, 2017, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio went on sale in Italy.
For the 2019 model year, diesel engines of the Stelvio were updated to meet the Euro 6d emissions standards, with AdBlue technology introduced to tackle particulates in the exhaust. Both the and versions got more from this change. In addition, Alfa Romeo introduced a new trim level for Europe: the Ti (Turismo Internazionale). Slightly different than the similarly named Stelvio Ti on sale in the United States, the Euro-spec Ti is fitted with the TBI-M 2.0-litre inline-four, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with power sent to all four wheels through Alfa Romeo's Q4 all-wheel drive system. In 2020, Alfa Romeo introduced the newly updated Stelvio in China, with both the Giulia and the Stelvio featuring updated interiors, a new 8.8-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, which now offers a WiFi hotspot, over-the-air software upgrades, integrated emergency call function, and call assistant function. There is the new leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel and gear lever, with revised dashboard materials.Carscoops: Revised 2020 Alfa Giulia And Stelvio Make Surprise Debut In China With Improved Interiors | Carscoops , access-date: 16. November 2019 The debut for North America was in the 2019 LA Auto Show. As of 2022 in North America, the Stelvio has four distinct models. Starting with the base model Sprint, the Ti, the Veloce and the top-of-the-line Quadrifoglio. In light of the Alfa Romeo Tonale's release, Stelvio's range of models was condensed from seven to four.
Special editions
Quadrifoglio NRING Edition At the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, a limited edition (only 108 examples) NRING trim of the Stelvio (Nürburgring-inspired special edition) was unveiled. The NRING edition has carbon-ceramic brakes, Sparco seats, carbon-fiber interior trim, and a Mopar-branded gear shifter and floor mats. The cars are differentiated on the exterior by NRING badges as well as carbon-fiber mirror caps and side skirts. Equipment is upgraded to include adaptive cruise control, and a premium sound system.
Nero Edizione In April 2018, NYIAS unveiled a Nero Edizione Package for the Stelvio. This edition grants a new exterior appearance through special blacked-out wheels, badging, and other touches. The Nero Edizione package is available only for the 280 horsepower, 2.0-litre model.
Quadrifoglio Racing Edition At the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show, Alfa Romeo Racing limited edition was introduced, which celebrates Alfa Romeo's legendary racing history and the entry of a new Italian driver onto the Formula 1 scene: Antonio Giovinazzi joins the "Alfa Romeo Racing" team with World Champion Kimi Räikkönen. This special edition has exclusive paintwork, as a tribute to the Alfa Romeo Racing C38 Formula 1 car.
Carbon-fibre parts, an Akrapovič titanium exhaust system,Fiat Chrysler Automobiles EMEA Press: Alfa Romeo at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show - Press Releases - Fiat Chrysler Automobiles EMEA Press, accessed 26 February 2019 and other tweaks shave off about from the standard Quadrifoglio version. The retuned engine now produces . Only 15 were reportedly built (with one source saying 14).
Sales
Calendar Year United States Europe 20172,72117,159201812,04330,09920199,44426,866202010,28417,4382021 10,53916,65020227,75220235,34020243,16220251,8722026 Q1-Q3953Total Sales63,157
2023 refresh For 2023, the Stelvio, as well as the Giulia receive significant facelifts. For the front, the bi-xenon headlamps are replaced with 3+3 headlamps, which are a part of Alfa Romeo's new design language and which were first seen on the Tonale. The vehicle receives a restyled grille and sequential turn signals. For the rear, the taillights see a more transparent finish and a minor redesign.
Interior changes include a new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster which offers three layouts: Evolved, Relax, and Heritage.
Starting with the 2023 refresh (model year 2024+ in the U.S.) a number of special editions (none of which with power increases) have been released. The non-Quadrifoglio special editions are similar to the pre-refresh Estrema special edition, with minor appearance updates and Active Suspension to set them apart from Ti and Veloce trims of the same model year.
Quadrifoglio 100th Anniversary (100 units worldwide) Quadrifoglio Carbon Edition (65 units for North America) Quadrifoglio Super Sport (175 units worldwide) Quadrifoglio Collezione (63 units worldwide, excluded from North America) Competizione Tributo Italiano Intensa