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.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio

As carmakers are cashing in on the SUV craze, it seems that the revitalized Alfa Romeo has fallen victim to this trend and for the company behind the ever-zealous Giulia saloon, which made us envy to drive one someday, their first SUV known as the Stelvio really means business when it comes to cashing on on the competition against luxury crossovers in its class. So what is it then, this Stelvio?

2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

The Stelvio, named after one of the greatest driving roads in the world known as the Stelvio Pass, is based on the same underpinnings as the Giulia saloon and by the looks of it, this crossover's a real looker which is great under Alfa Romeo standards. Imagine if you turn up on a local community pool for a swim meet, you'll become the most attractive swimmer in the team and everyone around will take a picture with you, especially your teammates. Sounds sensual but the Stelvio isn't all about being the most attractive crossover of all...

2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio interior

2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio interior

...because on the inside, the Stelvio is all business and leisure for both the driver and passenger. Not only the interior matches the same comfort as a BMW as well as the tech fest embodied to it, its surprisingly spacious and more room for the necessities that suit your lifestyle. Yes, this is a five-seater but the Stelvio is all about having three cars in one; a saloon, a wagon, and an multipurpose passenger vehicle. Quite a unique package for a sporty crossover, don't you think?

2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

In the beginning, the Stelvio will be 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. Soon, they'll be adding the more powerful Quadrifoglio variant with the same 2.9-litre V6 BiTurbo Petrol Engine as the hot Giulia.

It maybe a crossover but it still behaves like an Alfa Romeo thanks to its brilliant weight distribution courtesy of its ultra-lightweight materials, suspension system with exclusive Alfalink, the most direct steering ratio in its segment, and self-locking rear differential. It maybe as stylish as the Venus de Milo statue but the way it behaves for a crossover is like Murphy's Law intended and as for the brakes, the world's first Integrated Brake System really taken care of.

Oh, the Integrate Brake System is simple to explain. It's 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. Nice one, Alfa.

Another way to make the Stelvio driving experience even more exceptional is its new Alfa DNA selector which alters the car's behavior at three driving modes; Dynamic, Natural, and Advanced Efficiency. When you set it to Dynamic, the Stelvio is becoming firm and sharp like a female swimmer going freestyle on an olympic-sized pool by herself. Above all, the electronics are not going to interfere your driving pleasure when you set to this kind of setup. Again, nice one.

On the normal roads, the Stelvio isn't too bad to drive for a daily driver's car and with an array of safety tech that got the drivers' back such as Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross-Path Detection, and Active Cruise Control, they got nothing to worry about except for the most drastic scenarios drivers are going to watch out for.

The new Stelvio starts at 47,750 Euros and while this is more expensive than the Giulia, it is competitively priced against numerous luxury SUVs in its segment and pricing aside, the Stelvio upsets the competition with its dynamics that promises drivers that they can come back for more. It maybe a crossover but this is still an Alfa Romeo and you can really come back to them if you are pleased with it.

Photo: Alfa Romeo