Cars with more than 500 hp are actually as superfluous in everyday life as digital cameras with over 20 million pixels. In both cases, a third of the potency is sufficient. Unless special occasions require a lot of strength and sharpness. This applies to the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio if you expect more from a compact SUV (Sports Ucility Vehicle) than the hint of sportiness that the generic term suggests. The 2,9 liter six-cylinder bi-turbo with 510 hp and 600 Newton meters, developed in cooperation with Ferrari, has now also found its place in the beefy Stelvio. Unlike the rear-wheel driven sister Giulia, the power is always passed on to all wheels. Ambitious drivers should cheer despite all the legitimate questions about ecological compatibility.
The shamrock vouches for a lot of Italian temperament
What potential in the power SUV with the four-leaf clover (Italian: Quadrifoglio) on the flank and the cooling slots in the hood, he has already proved with a lap time of 7.51,7 minutes on the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring. But today it's not about speed at any price on the small but fine private circuit in the Andalusian Ascari. The black tarmac band meandering for miles on blind bends, conspicuous inclines and harassment on sloping plains radiates suspiciously after the rain. Therefore, the rotary switch remains better in dynamic mode and not in the route actually more appropriate driving program race without stability and traction control.
The snot from the two twin tailpipes sounds hoarse and is real
But even in the dynamic mode of the six-cylinder in the acceleration lane of the pit lane now powerful and greedy high, assisted by operating in milliseconds eight-speed automatic transmission from ZF, their actually inconspicuous gear change accompanied by hoarse and very natural snot from the two twin tailpipes of the exhaust become. Those who prefer to build on their own skills, of course, can also switch on the standard and huge aluminum rockers and control. The force presses one vehemently into the narrow and cut-to-the-body seat; the obligatory helmet bangs against the headrest. High speed Italians promise 283 km / h, too much for here and now, even on the almost half a kilometer long main straight. In an abundantly cocky 90 grade bend, a mechanical limited-slip differential with torque vectoring system stabilizes the 1,70 high and good 1800 Kg heavy SUV and distributes all torque force to the outer wheels.
The six-cylinder can also be gentle as a lamb
When driving civilian on the country road, it is easier to see the new standard infotainment system with 8,8 inch display and Apple - or Android integration, which unfortunately - still - is operated without a touchscreen, but via a rotary switch in the center console. When switching to the Advanced Efficiency driving mode, the hot spur becomes gentle as a lamb and just as innocent. If you take your foot off the accelerator, the automatic transmission changes to sailing mode, the six-cylinder generously foregoing a cylinder bank and power. A fig leaf for consumption, which Alfa specifies as nine liters, but which should only come close to reality if the recommended speed on the motorway is adhered to.
You should already have 89 000 Euro in your pocket for the top model of the Alfa Stelvio. That's 40 000 Euro more expensive than the most expensive of the civilian variants. If you really need him, this K (l) ick.
Text and pictures: Solveig Grewe