Test: Alfa Romeo Stelvio

After more than 100 years of brand history, the Italians start with the tailwind of the group in the SUV segment. In typical Alfa design, the Stelvio should go with charm combined with the dynamics of the model portfolio on customer catch. Since the beginning of this year Alfa Romeo plays in the segment of SUVs and presents its Stelvio in Germany with a chic and comfortable features. Following the tradition of the Italians, the car got its name from the highest mountain pass in Italy, the Stilfser Joch (Italian: Passo dello Stelvio). His origin from the Turin headquarters can and does not want to conceal the SUV with the coat of arms in the brand logo. On the contrary: his front leads him visually to the models Giulia and Giulietta. The carmaker from Italy sends its first SUV not only as chices family vehicle in the race, but also as a vehicle with high utility value and lifestyle factor. With a list price of 39.750 Euro launches the smallest diesel from Alfa.

Test report: Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.2 Diesel 16V AT8-Q4 Super

SUV with lifestyle charm

The Stelvio is immediately what is commonly understood as an SUV. No ifs and buts. According to those responsible for the Italian manufacturer, it should appeal to discerning buyers from private customers to fleet operators. The vehicle has an attractive appearance in the sporty look of the Alfa family, which is based in the “Cassino” production facility between Rome and Naples. The LED daytime running lights of the Stelvio are also very distinctive in the shape of aggressive and dynamic eyes. Its side lines to the sporty exterior make the SUV look more like a sedan with a lower center of gravity. The rear section underlines its agile look and gives the Alfa a wide and confident look. With a completely new chassis and very good and precise steering, the Italian designers offer a confident driving experience, at least in city traffic. During our 14-day test drive with the 2.2 diesel with 154 kW (210 PS), we repeatedly learn that the Stelvio does not deal with unevenness in urban traffic and sections of the autobahn as confidently as we would have expected. He always seems a bit restless and needs our full attention. The increased ground clearance naturally qualifies it for driving on dirt roads and gravel roads.

Wind tunnel test passed

The manufacturer's specified standard consumption of 4,8 liters on 100 kilometers is in practice not entirely create. Our test car requires a good half to a full liter. But that's a remarkably good value for a vehicle like the Stelvio. In the terrain, which the Italian does not have to avoid in the event of a fall, the consumption is still slightly higher. The 2.2 liter diesel delivers very strong 470 Newtonmeter torque at 1.750 revolutions per minute. The power of the 210 PS powerful engine accelerates the 2-tonne car from zero to 6,6 km / h in 100 seconds. In the top are up to 215 km / h in there, which is a good value in the aerodynamics and air resistance of 0,30 Cw. The well-translated eight-speed automatic transmission generally allows for dynamic driving, but we still feel smaller switching pauses again and again. The dynamics of the four-wheel drive vehicle are supported by Alfa Romeo's Alfa vehicle dynamics control system^TM DNA. Via a rotary control in the center console, the modes "Dynamic", "Eco" and "Normal" can be set. Undoubtedly, the mode we prefer is that of a sporty driving style. Because with the Stelvio you can drive through long curves on country roads very fast.

Luxury in the interior

In the interior, with a total vehicle length of just under 4,70 meters, five people can comfortably sit down. The cabin convinces with good material and workmanship, as we are used to from an Alfa. The Italians are always in the interior again and again the love of detail. The clearly designed cockpit with elongated horizontal lines and the infotainment system Alfa developed together with Magneti Marelli^TM Connect looks very tidy and clearly structured. The 8,8 inch display (22,4 centimeter) serves as an eye-catcher and control center in the dashboard. The display is operated via the rotary pad, which sits in the center console like the rotary knob of the vehicle dynamics. The interior variability of the Stelvio is similar to that of a station wagon. We experience this with the removable trunk floor. Underneath is the spare tire, but there is always room for small things there. At full seating his trunk still holds decent 525 liters of cargo volume, which is very useful for the family to 14-day holiday to the Baltic Sea.

Safety equipment in series and option 

The equipment of the Stelvio "Super" tested by us offers a long list of safety devices and driver assistance systems. When braking from higher speeds, we notice again and again the fast response of the brakes. Alfa Romeo makes this available to its customers with the integrated braking system (IBS). The Italians network the electronic control system with the mechanical brake assist. The Stelvio offers a wide range of driver assistance systems with the collision warning system (FCW, Forward Collision Warning) with emergency braking function (AEB) and pedestrian recognition, Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Blind Spot Monitoring (BAM). The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) installed in the Alfa SUV not only adapts its speed to the chosen value, it also responds to other vehicles in the immediate vicinity.

Premium SUV with premium price

The fact that Alfa Romeo wants to position its first SUV as a vehicle in the premium segment is also reflected in the price. The Stelvio starts at 39.750 Euro with the small 150-PS diesel and rear-wheel drive. Our test car with the 2.2 liter diesel and the Alfa four-wheel drive as well as the eight-speed automatic starts with 47.500 Euro just below the magical 50.000 Euro border. For this, the customer may look forward to a vehicle with a "worry-free package".

And finally ... The new Stelvio impresses with its appearance, but also dynamics and workmanship as a typical Alfa Romeo. The step taken by the Italians goes clearly towards the premium segment, where the SUV sees its clientele. However, we perceive the value for money as a little too high.

engine and gears

Dimensions and performance

Consumption in the test

Text: Stefan Beckmann, Image: Manufacturer (FCA Germany AG) - Image: Manufacturer (FCA Germany AG)