Driven: Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q4
We had the privilege of testing out the new Alfa Romeo Stelvio Q4 Veloce. The exterior and interior looks alone of this compact luxury SUV got us very excited to put it to its paces.
By Joseph Mashele
Quick facts:
- - 2.0-litre Turbo petrol engine (206kW/400Nm)
- - ZF 8-Speed Automatic Transmission
- - Alfa DNA driving style selector
- - 8.8” Colour Multitouch Infotainment Screen (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto)
- - Bi-Xenon Headlights; LED Taillights & LED Brake Lights
- - 20” Alloy Wheels
Introduction:
The compact luxury SUV segment in South Africa is highly contested and we think this Italian stallion has what it takes to win the hearts of the consumers in this market. The distinctive Italian design gives the Stelvio an appealing sporty look and feel. Everything inside and outside the car screams premium quality. The fuel efficiency and standard Advanced Driver Assistance Systems also make the Stelvio very competitive.
Performance:
The 2.0-litre Turbo petrol engine (4-cylinder in-line) has an impressive output of 206kW and 400Nm, which is coupled to the ZF 8-speed automatic transmission that enhances the responsiveness in terms of comfort, performance, and efficiency. The Q4 all-wheel drive technology brings in all the systems for a great performance that pushes the acceleration from 0 to 100km/h in just 5.7 seconds*. Our economic driving in mild city traffic with occasional highway push gave us an average of about 7 l/100km using the advanced efficiency driving mode. The Stelvio has three (3) driving modes using the Alfa DNA selector, namely Dynamic, Normal and Advanced efficiency.
The sporty and stylish exterior design of the Stelvio looks great from all angles. The Alfa red colour option also adds to the menacing look. The bi-xenon headlights, LED taillights and LED brake lights give the Stelvio an extra sparkle. The unique Alfa grill makes the Stelvio stand out from the crowd. premium LED lighting as well as the front and rear fog lights give it an extra-special glow. The 20” alloy wheels with the monotone wheelcaps and the branded brake calipers complete the sporty look.
Interior:
The interior has a simplistic layout that ensures that there are no distracting and confusing switches and stalks but still maintains a luxury feel. The 7" TFT display lets you easily view critical driving information, alerts, and warnings. The 8.8” Multi-Touch display infotainment screen allows, through a few simple touches, easy management of the applications and widgets (i.e. vehicle performance, navigation, media…etc.). This is in addition to the central multimedia knob which is also easy to operate as well as the simple but premium gear shifter. The paddle shifters make one feel like they are driving an Italian sports car around a racetrack (lol).
The black luxury leather seats, interior materials as well and multifunctional steering wheel add to the comfortable and premium look and feel. The Stelvio also has a unique inductive charging pocket design for the phone as well as various USB ports, AUX and 12V power sockets. Another unique feature of the Stelvio is the sound of the indicator, which is audible enough but has a welcomed different tone.
The Stelvio might not seem spacious at first glance but it is certainly comparable to its rivals in this segment, and we also think it has enough space for what you need.
Safety:
The Stelvio comes with Advanced Drivers Assistance Systems (ADAS) with its Safety Pack that includes the Active Blind Spot Assist, and Lane Keeping Assist (we found this to be silent and just gives a signal on the instrument cluster, not sure if there’s an audible or vibrating setting) in addition to the reverse camera and all-round park assist sensors.
Conclusion:
The Stelvio starting price is R1,205,500, which is slightly higher than its German competitors in this segment. We think this can still appeal to many customers, especially for those looking for something different in the segment. The overall looks and performance are sufficient to give the competition a run for their money. This car was really fun to have, commands attention on the road and is suitable for a mid-size family's daily needs as well as that occasional long trip.
