[Stelvio News]

When a top spec trim like the Stelvio Quadrifoglio is flaunting its 505 horsepower engine, the model’s entry-level trim can sometimes be overlooked. Though the petrol powered base model doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles, its performance is still worthy of the alfa Romeo badge.

Most of the Stelvios sold in the UK will most likely be diesel-powered, but a good portion of sales should still come from the two petrol engines available at launch.

Using the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, Alfa Romeo has tuned it to produce 197bhp and 276bhp. The former being the entry-level option at £34,690 in standard trim and £36,890 if you decide to go with the more luxurious Super trim. Peak torque of 243lb ft is available from just 1750rpm and peak power can be accessed from 4500rpm.

Manual fans may be sad to find that the 2.0T only comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission, though is does come standard with Alfa’s Q4 all-wheel-drive system.

Some may scoff at those numbers, but that’s plenty of power to get its light 1660kg Giorgio platform moving. AutoCar certainly found its design and output more than adequate, with a ride that feels taut, agile, and well-damped. The Stelvio’s handling response was not lacking, actually it was comparable to Giulia, just taller. It can take a bit of rough handling with no body roll and the body’s resistant to understeering, though test driver Mike Duff would have liked to see the QV’s have fully defeatable stability control.

The peak output is listed at 197bhp, but Mike said “the basic petrol engine feels more effective than exciting.”

 

[Fiver]

Same concept with Porsche, Maserati and other premium brands. They provide affordable entry-level models with a lot of perks to attract new customers to the brand and hope they stay. The £34,690 option will most likely be the more popular trim of the model and the super trim with more features is only around £2,000 more.

 

[poormansferrari]

At $42,000 to me its a steal and looking at the specs/features still cheaper than its long standing rivals. In my case performance is important to me, that 0-60 time is a whole second faster than both base versions of the GLC and F-Pace. On the street that means a lot when taking over other cars or whenever you want to use your heavy foot.

 

[Fiver]

The Stelvio is just affordable exotic fun all rolled into a practical package. Pretty great deal if you compare its pricing to rivals like the Jaquar F-Pace and Audi Q5. They may have more power under the hood, the Stelvio is still a great package for just £45,390 so long as you don't mind have a few less ponies.