2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio local details
The 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio range will start arriving in showrooms toward the end of quarter one next year, with two new engine variants and a high-performance Quadrifoglio variant to follow, the Italian marque has confirmed.
“The Stelvio will feature streamlined option packages that focus on both luxury and performance,”Alfa Romeo Australia head of communications Lucy McLellan told CarAdvice in Northern Ireland.
“Expect the Stelvio to be value packed when it goes on sale locally.”
Alfa Romeo’s Q4 all-wheel-drive system will be standard across the Stelvio range, along with a carbon-fibre drive shaft and what Alfa Romeo calls ‘class leading steering and handling ability’.
Based on the same ‘Giorgio’ platform as the excellent Giulia – which we’ve tested in both Veloce and QV specification recently – the Stelvio features perfect 50:50 weight distribution. It also has best in class power-to-weight ratios and innovative engine and driver technology. It’s body is lightweight, and along with the carbon-fibre driveshaft, features an extensive use of aluminium to help keep overall weight down to a best of 1660kg.
“The all-new Alfa Romeo Stelvio, named after one of the world’s great driving roads – Italy’s Stelvio Pass – will set a new benchmark for the segment in Australia,” Alfa Romeo Australia CEO Steve Zanlunghi said.
“Alfa Romeo’s blend of expert engineering and emotion creates a premium mid-size SUV for the true driving enthusiasts, and one that will stand out in one of the largest and fastest-growing segments in Australia.”
Australian buyers will be able to choose between a 2.0-litre petrol engine or a 2.2-litre diesel engine, both turbocharged. Both engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The petrol engine makes 149kW of power and 330Nm of torque, and will propel the Stelvio from 0-100km/h in 7.2 seconds. The diesel makes 156kW and 450Nm and is only just behind the petrol engine at 7.6 seconds in the sprint to 100km/h.
In a bid to make life easier for buyers, there will be two new option packages. The Super Lusso package is aimed at luxury with Pieno Fiore luxury leather, a luxury steering wheel with heating function and walnut wax accents throughout the front of the cabin.
The Veloce package – not to be confused with the Veloce model – will include sports leather seats, a sports steering wheel, an aluminium interior trim including aluminium sports pedals as well as red brake calipers.
While Alfa Romeo has not confirmed the arrival of the aforementioned Veloce model, CarAdvice understands there’s potential for it to make its way to Australia, thus taking the Stelvio range to four.
Local pricing will be announced closer to the model’s local launch, but in other markets the Stelvio commands a slight price premium over the same grade Giulia as a guide to what we are likely to see.
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