Future classic: Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

By Charlie Calderwood

| 12 Nov 2024

Classic & Sports Car – Future classic: Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

In an era when even Kia crossovers post 0-60mph times of sub-4 secs, the prospect of a 513bhp Quadrifoglio version of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio might elicit a shrug from weary enthusiasts.

‘Another fast SUV; so what?’

Being fast doesn’t make a great car, it’s how it goes about it that matters.

And that’s what separates the Stelvio from others in this now-crowded segment of the market.

Swatches of carbonfibre in the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s cabin, but the interior can’t compete with some plusher rivals

Launched in 2016, it’s essentially a Giulia Quadrifoglio with a BMW X3-sized SUV body on top.

It has just been refreshed for the 2024 model year, bringing a new headlight set-up, a mechanical limited-slip diff derived from that of the Giulia GTA, some redesigned aero addenda and a few tweaks to trim details.

The star of the show, as in the Giulia, remains the twin-turbo ‘690T’ V6.

Every decent Italian car needs a thrilling engine, and this is one of the great units on sale today.

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s latest refresh brings new headlights and the limited-slip differential from the Giulia GTA saloon

That it shares many details with both Ferrari’s V8 and the 3-litre Maserati V6 (though all parties like to downplay that relationship) gives some idea of its character.

When knocked into ‘dynamic’ and controlled manually by the gearbox paddles, it crackles and barks in a manner more befitting an exotic sports car than a family SUV.

It’s not bark without bite, either.

It’s a shock how quickly the Stelvio leaps out of the blocks, but especially impressive is how it continues pulling high into its rev range, where many modern turbo units are lifeless.

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s twin-turbocharged V6 makes 513bhp

The handling is even more astonishing: it grips tenaciously, with a sense of agility you wouldn’t think was possible in such a tall car.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch, though: the ride is a bit firm, and there is a noticeable swing in the mass of the Alfa when changing direction quickly.

Where it falls down against something such as a Range Rover Sport SV is inside.

It’s nice enough, feeling premium and well built – the leather/Alcantara wheel added in the facelift is particularly pleasant – but you don’t get full-on luxury at this price point.

‘When knocked into “dynamic” and controlled manually by the gearbox paddles, it crackles and barks in a manner more befitting an exotic sports car than a family SUV’

The bulk of the budget has clearly gone towards a brilliant chassis and a rip-roaring engine.

It’s the first real successor to the Alfa Romeo 156 GTA Sportwagon – now a real collector’s item – but freed from the shackles of front-wheel drive.

And it looks likely to be one of the last practical family cars to feature an inappropriately exotic motor.