TOGETHER WITH THE GIULIA QUADRIFOGLIO tested on page 78, Alfa Romeo has given its super-SUV a package of updates for 2024, which will likely see it through to the end of its life. Among them, a boost in power from 503bhp to 513bhp, new LED matrix headlights, revamped interior trim and a fresh digital instrument cluster, plus detail suspension retuning. The most significant update, however, is the fitting of a mechanical limited-slip differential at the rear. The price has increased by several thousand pounds, to an £87,195 starting point.
In the cabin, the TFT digital instrument panel has been updated with a new set of configurable displays, and textured '3D' carbon-fiber trim has been liberally applied over the transmission tunnel and dashboard. Although it's real carbon, its open-weave finish makes the interior look cheaper rather than more sophisticated, to this tester at least - but, 'eye', 'beholder' and so on. The dash's central screen looks more dated than ever in 2024, particularly in terms of map graphics, but it works tolerably well enough and you can hook up your smartphone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. As with the rest of the interior, it's fine rather than outstanding in any way.
Interior sophistication might be a selling point for most premium SUVS but, happily, it's not what draws customers to this car, because, as before, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio is a car you'd buy because it is genuinely exciting to drive.
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Esta historia es de la edición May 2024 de Evo UK.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
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BEST BUYS BMW M CARS
THE PERFORMANCE CAR LANDSCAPE WOULD HAVE looked very different over the last five decades without BMW. Its M division, founded in 1972, has produced some of the best driver’s cars ever to hit the road, and in the process has provided a stream of benchmark models for its rivals to chase. In recent years, stricter emissions regulations, downsizing and electrification have seen some of those rival cars falter, yet by and large BMW’s M machines have remained strong. In fact, some rank among the greatest the department has made think of the eCoty-winning M2 CS and M5 CS while others are the only options worth recommending in their respective segments. Price tags have risen with performance, however, putting those latest offerings out of reach for many, but the marque’s popularity means there are numerous earlier M models available on the second-hand market for far more attainable figures. Here are four of our favourites.
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