One day, three mountain passes; we sample the refreshed Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce…
Named for the Passo dello Stelvio, the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern Alps, it seemed only appropriate we sample the refreshed Alfa Romeo Stelvio (driven in Veloce guise) on roads of this variety — three, to be precise, sinuous stretches of tarmac in the Western Cape — on the local launch. It’s even more apt considering its driving dynamics. The Stelvio is arguably one of the most dynamically inclined midsize SUVs available on our market…
However, before pressing the engine start/stop button, pleasingly sited on the steering wheel, and set off towards the winding roads outside of the Mother City, let’s look at the updates the Italian marque has made to its midsize SUV…
So, what’s changed? Not that much. But, then again, why alter an already attractive design? The sculpted bodywork has aged well. The most notable exterior revision comes in the shape of “3+3” adaptive LED matrix lighting units (reminiscent of those found on the Tonale), housed in the headlamp clusters, sited opposite of Alfa Romeo’s signature ‘Trilobo’ grille, which (along with the lower front air vents) has been given a new finish. The Stelvio arguably looks best when dressed in read (or any Alfa Romeo, for that matter).
Stepping inside, the most significant upgrade sited fore the rake-and-reach adjustable, multifunction tiller — a 12.3-inch, configurable digital instrument panel. The driver can choose between three layouts, Evolved, Relax, and Heritage, the latter of which takes inspiration from the analogue instruments found on Alfa Romeos of the 1960s and ‘70s. Relax takes a minimalist approach, while Evolved displays detailed vehicle information.
Bar the new digital driver’s display, the facelifted first-generation Stelvio’s interior is familiar. The Veloce model driven here is generously equipped as standard, with a panoramic sunroof, priced at R20 000, seemingly being the only cost option. The cabin features an Apple CarPlay/Android Auto-enabled infotainment system, operated via touch or a pleasingly tactile roundel on the central console, satellite navigation, dual-zone climate control, and heating functionality for the leather-trimmed steering wheel and the electrically adjustable front sports pews. Adaptive cruise control is also present. Safety items include six airbags, Isofix child-seat anchorages on the rear bench, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist.
There are, however, a few upgrades we would liked to have seen fitted to the fresh-faced Stelvio — a larger touchscreen (the 8.8-inch unit feels outdated by modern premium-SUV standards) with more crisp graphics, especially for the reverse-view camera feed; a second USB port for the front occupants; more reach adjustability for the steering wheel, and a lower setting for the driver’s pew. Although many consumers will appreciate the elevated seating position, at times, it felt like we were sitting on top of the vehicle, rather than in it.
Fore and aft headroom were, however, sufficient, as was the rear legroom. Opening the electrically operated tailgate reveals a 525-litre (claimed) luggage compartment. Loading capacity can be increased to 1 600 litres (again, claimed) when folding down the rear backrest. So, it’s sufficiently capacious for a weekend getaway.
With the cabin covered, let’s set off… magnificent mountain roads await! And this is where the Stelvio Veloce shined. It’s so excellent, in fact, that you can forgive all of its shortcomings (it’s not like you’d be fiddling around with the sometimes-not-so-user-friendly infotainment system while you’re enjoying the drive … and enjoy it, you will).
Right foot on the brake pedal, left thumb on the engine start button. Press. The 2.0-litre employed by the pre-facelifted model ignites. (Currently, there’s no plans to introduce a hybrid version, Alfa Romeo says; the facelifted, pinnacle Q model, with its 2.9-litre V6, will join the range at a later stage.)
The four-cylinder unit churns out 206 kW and 400 Nm of torque, transferred to the tarmac via a smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission, which you can leave to its own devices or operate via the extensive paddle shifters fixed to the steering column, as soon as the rev needle reaches 5 250 and 2 250 r/min, respectively.
The driving modes are activated via Alfa Romeo’s ‘DNA’ drive selector. These are Normal, which is activated as standard, and Advanced, which aids with fuel economy. However, we didn’t didn’t get close to the claimed figure, as, on the snaking roads, we were mostly travelling in the third setting… Dynamic.
But what makes the Stelvio Veloce so good a dynamic SUV? For starters, its 50:50 weight distribution. Then there’s the carbon-fibre drive shaft and a limited-slip diff. In addition, the Q4 all-wheel-drive set-up allows the Italian SUV to travel in rear-wheel drive, while its active transfer case monitors grip conditions and, once slip is detected, instantaneously distributes 50 per cent of twisting force to the front axle.
Weighing 1 660 kg, around 200 kg fewer (on average) than some of its rivals, the Stelvio Veloce also felt lighter on its feet. The handling felt sharp.
Although not the sonorous six of the Q, the four-pot sounded good under hard acceleration. Overtaking was a cinch.
When travelling at speed, some interior finishes illicit creaking sounds. However, compared to the pre-facelifted model, the overall perceived built quality improved by a large margin.
At a glance
Alfa Romeo Veloce Q4
Alfa Romeo has breathed some fresh air into the Stelvio, with each update, however subtle some of them may be, a welcome addition to the package. We would, however, have liked some more interior upgrades, especially to the infotainment system. However, these can be forgiven — and even forgotten — when piloting the Stelvio. Considering the engaging driving dynamics, it is, indeed, an SUV you’d want to drive.
- Price: R1 205 500
- Engine: 2.0 L, 4-cyl, turbopetrol
- Transmission: 8-spd AT
- Driven wheels: 4
- Power: 206 kW @ 5 250 r/min
- Torque: 400 Nm @ 2 250 r/min
- 0-100 km/h: 5.7 seconds
- Top speed: 230 km/h
- Fuel consumption: 5.7 L/100 km
- CO2: 161 g/km
- Warranty: 5 years/100 000 km
- Maintenance plan: 5 years/100 000 km
