Forza Horizon 4: Meet the Stelvio

At the time of Alfa Romeo's renaissance, the 4C sportscar and the Giulia sports saloon made the Italian carmaker great again but as times changed, one of the most charismatic carmakers in the world went on with the flow with the launch of their first-ever crossover utility vehicle known as the Stelvio. I managed to get behind the wheel in Forza Horizon 4 to see what's like to be in its hot seat.



Named after one of the greatest driving roads in the world, Alfa Romeo's first ever SUV, the Stelvio, is based on the same underpinnings as the Giulia saloon and it promises all-weather capability with sportscar-like dynamics that stays true to the Alfa Romeo lineage.

At launch, the Stelvio is offered with a choice of either a 2.0L petrol or a 2.2L diesel engine, mated to an automatic 8-speed transmission and Q4 all-wheel drive.

The Quadrifoglio variant is powered by the same 510HP 2.9-litre V6 BiTurbo Petrol Engine as the hot Giulia and thanks to this engine as well as its Q4 all-wheel drive (a first in the Quadrifoglio lineage), and unmatched performance and dynamics unheard for a high-performance crossover, it's no wonder why the Stelvio Quadrifoglio is labeled the "fastest SUV around the circuit", blitzing the Nurburgring in 7 minutes and 51.7 seconds.

The Stelvio features the world's first Integrate Brake System which is an electromechanical system that combines stability control with a traditional servo brake, which not only makes it smoother but also quick enough to brake at a shorter distance.



Most people are joking that a Ford F-150 Raptor is much more better to drive everywhere than the Stelvio but if they cross out questionable influence caused by a certain motoring show with three middle-aged men on it (don't ask which), saddling up with the Stelvio really means business for Alfa's first SUV and even if you're not in the mood to do serious driving, the Stelvio is the kind of crossover you would really come back for more in the same way drivers experienced with the Giulia saloon and since this is the Quadrifoglio variant, it delivers the same enjoyment as the Giulia's but with added all-wheel drive to make it an all-weather, all-rounder that can hop, skip, and jump about like cowboys and equestrians.



Speaking of cowboys and equestrians, it's time to saddle up with Alfa's first SUV by giving it a little challenge in a middle of extreme icy conditions we're having. Strap yourselves, ladies and gentlemen because this is going to be a bumpy rollercoaster ride, literally.



Although questionable to see, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio managed to smile itself even with some smirk on its face after several leaps and bounds later.



There's no doubt about it that while this is basically a sport utility vehicle, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio still has some Alfa Romeo magic most petrolheads clamor for.

While the 4C and the Giulia can easily overshadow the Stelvio for being proper Alfas that work their charms rather well, the Stelvio is all about being the jack of all trades. It may have room for some laid-back camping trips but in terms of dynamics and performance, it's too impossible to ignore the Stelvio's quirkiness not as an SUV but as an Alfa Romeo. That is the bottom line.