2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio pricing and features

Alfa Romeo’s first SUV has arrived in Australian showrooms with a starting price of $65,900.

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is available at launch with a choice between two powertrains; a 2.0-litre turbo petrol and a 2.1-litre turbo diesel, which are each mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission sending power to all-four wheels via Alfa’s ‘DNA’ three-mode drive system. Two, more powerful models will follow later this year.

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The standard four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbo-petrol produces 148kW and 330Nm resulting in a top-speed of 215km/h and 7.2-seconds 0 to 100km/h acceleration. Fuel economy is claimed at a relatively frugal 7.0L/100km.

For some extra shove, a Stelvio Ti variant will launch soon sporting a gruntier version of the 2.0-litre petrol engine producing 206kW/400Nm. Its considerable power boost results in a 1.5-second quicker 0-100km/h time of 5.7 seconds over the entry-level Stelvio; it’s also 0.9 seconds quicker than the torque-laden 154kW/470Nm 2.1-litre turbo-diesel.

Stelvio Ti will be the most powerful version of Alfa's first-ever SUV until the Stelvio Q (Quadrifoglio) arrives in time for Christmas with a 375kW/600Nm twin-turbo V6 shared with the Giulia Quadrifoglio sedan, and carrying an estimated $150,000 price tag.

The four-cylinder diesel, meanwhile, uses an all-aluminium engine to pump out its performance figures. It has the same 215km/h top-speed as the petrol but will beat it to from standstill to 100km/h by 0.3 seconds at 5.4sec. Claimed fuel economy is a hybrid-rivalling 4.8L/100km.

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The Stelvio’s frisky performance is backed up by the sporty style you expect from Turin, with the interior featuring full-grain leather upholstery, attractive curved dashboard, broad centre console and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with racing-style start button below the left spoke, and long aluminium paddle shifters.

Infotainment is controlled via an 8.8-inch panoramic screen with the latest generation sat-nav, and entertainment from AM/FM and digital (DAB+) radio or a Bluetooth connection, and eight-speaker sound system.

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Despite the SUV shell, the exterior is faithful to Alfa Romeo’s heritage and characteristically sleek aesthetics, but with contemporary highlights including 19-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels, Bi-Xenon headlights and chrome-plated window frames, which highlight a choice of 11 eleven exterior paint colours.

Other standard features include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, powered tailgate, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and auto dimming mirror.

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A ‘Veloce’ option pack is also available on regular Stelvio models for $5000, which adds aluminium interior trim and sports foot pedals, black painted roof rails, Koni adaptive suspension dampers, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, red painted brake calipers, sports front seats with powered bolsters and sports steering wheel.

The Ti comes with most of the Veloce options as standard including the racetrack-bred Koni dampers, plus a rear limited-slip differential, 20-inch alloy wheels, and sports-style heated front seats and steering wheel.

Meanwhile, a special, Stelvio First Edition brings the standard and Veloce features, plus a panoramic sunroof, 14-speaker 900W Harman Kardon premium audio and privacy glass. The First Edition demands a $6000 premium over the standard variants and will be limited to 300 units, split between 200 diesels and 100 petrol versions.

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The Stelvio Ti will arrive later in 2018 and the Quadrifoglio in January 2019.

2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio pricing

• Stelvio 2.0L Turbo Petrol - $65,900
• Stelvio 2.1L Turbo Diesel - $67,900
• Stelvio First Edition 2.0L Turbo Petrol - $71,900
• Stelvio First Edition 2.1L Turbo Diesel - $73,900
• Stelvio Ti - approx. $78,900
• Stelvio Q - approx. $149,000