Alfa Romeo lobs remainder of Stelvio line-up

THE rest of Alfa Romeo’s Stelvio line-up has joined the solitary Sport in local showrooms, boosting the updated range from one variant four with the addition of the eponymous Stelvio, sports-oriented Veloce and fire-breathing Quadrifoglio.

For the 2021 model year, Alfa has gifted the Stelvio with the same updates it gave the Giulia in 2020, most of which revolve around a “comprehensive list of Level Two advanced driver-assistance systems” like traffic-sign recognition with intelligent speed control, active blind-spot assist and driver attention assist.

The MY21 range is opened by the self-named Stelvio which unlike its stablemates, cannot be purchased straight off the showroom floor.

According to a Stellantis Australia spokesperson, Alfa is expecting the bulk of sales to be made up by the higher-grade variants, but the brand still wants to offer the more budget-friendly option.

Instead, the base-model is available solely on an “order only” basis.

Nevertheless, the entry-level Stelvio checks in from $64,950 plus on-road costs which nets buyers 19-inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights with adaptive front lighting system and automatic high beam, power folding mirrors, dual chrome exhaust tips, six-way power adjustable front seats with memory function for the driver, aluminium paddle shifters, a 7.0-inch TFT colour instrument cluster, 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android compatibility and DAB digital radio, a reversing camera, Alfa DNA drive mode system, automatic headlights and wipers, exterior door handle courtesy light, passive entry, push-button start, auto-dimming rearview mirror, powered tailgate, air quality system and an eight-speaker sound system.

Safety highlights include autonomous emergency braking with forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention alert, active blind-spot assist, an infrared reflective windscreen, tyre-pressure monitoring and parking sensors front and rear.

Next in line is the Sport which was the first of the updated variants to arrive Down Under, however prices have risen $500 for the new model year to $69,950.

In terms of extra gear, the Sport comes with all of the same kit as the base model and more, with the “Koni Frequency Selective Damping” leading the charge.

Other upgrades include more aggressively-designed 19-inch alloys; red brake calipers; gloss-black roof rails; side rear and back window privacy glass; leather sports seats with powered bolsters and heating in the front; heated leather sport steering wheel; aluminium for the pedals, dashboard, tunnel and centre console inserts; traffic-sign recognition; active cruise control; anti-theft alarm system; and wireless phone charging.

Both the Stelvio and the Sport are powered by the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine developing 147kW/330Nm, all of which is fed to all-four-wheels wheels by an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Straddling the gap between the docile Sport and rabid Quadrifoglio is the warmed Veloce which also uses a 2.0-litre turbo mill, however peak power and torque are rated at much pokier 206kW/400Nm.

Featuring the same eight-speed auto as the lesser variants as well as the same all-wheel-drive system, the Veloce can dart from 0-100km/h in a claimed 5.7 seconds.

Priced from $78,950, the Veloce not only ups the performance ante – it also boasts a rear limited-slip differential and upgraded brakes – but the luxury stakes too with Alfa active suspension, 20-inch aluminium wheels, sports body kit with dual exhausts, leather-stitched dashboard and door trims, eight-way power adjustment for front seats, ambient interior lighting, heated rear seats, a 10-speaker sound system and a hands-free tailgate.

Once again crowning the range, the $146,950 Quadrifoglio retains its ballistic turbocharged 2.9-litre V6, still good for 375kW/600Nm.

Thanks to bespoke Pirelli P-Zero rubber and all-wheel-drive, the range-topper will dispatch 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds and push on to a top speed of 283km/h.

In addition to the adaptive damping and limited-slip differential found on the Veloce, the Quadrifoglio also scores more aggressive driving modes, Monza exhaust system, torque vectoring and a “Monster” braking system to help make the most of the performance on tap.

Exclusive standard equipment highlights include 20-inch QV forged-alloy wheels, carbon-fibre side skirts, rear spoiler and bonnet, leather and Alcantara upholstery, carbon-fibre interior trim, Quadrifoglio door sill scuff plates with aluminium insert, a Harman Kardon premium audio system and a QV steering wheel with leather, Alcantara and carbon fibre.

Cylinder deactivation is also included to stop the force-fed V6 sculling its fuel tank on the urban grind.

According to Alfa Romeo head of product and marketing Andre Scott, the brand received an “incredibly positive” response to the Giulia’s updates, hence they were applied to the SUV.

“We’re excited to see the cutting-edge technology introduced across the entire Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV range at a competitive price point, “he said.

“Italian elegance and styling has been elevated across the new Stelvio and Giulia products, with the Giulia Veloce’s captivating dark accents and applique as standard, and new head-turning exterior colour options like the striking Verde Montreal on the Quadrifoglio.

“The 2021 Alfa Romeo range is for those who seek to indulge in the Italian way of life.”

Alfa’s Australian arm has sold 40 Stelvios so far this year ending May – accounting for just 0.3 per cent of the $60,000-plus medium SUV segment – marking a 60.4 per cent sales decline compared to the 101 units shifted over the same period last year.

2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs