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.
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.
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Mick WALSH
'Had someone said that this worn-looking titan would win the most famous old-car event, we would have laughed'
ALFA ROMEO STELVIO QF
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"It's a car for posing in really"
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HONDAS DECK THE HALL
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ABSOLUTELY buzzing
Honda's Si Civics brought agile, cheap fun to motorists long before the Type R name got anywhere near a hatchback
THE FEMININE TOUCH
In 1955, General Motors styling guru Harley Earl brought 11 talented women into the male-dominated world of automotive design. What was their lasting impact?
Out on a limb
Panther's innovative Solo 2 was something completely different, both for its maker and the sports car market
Restyles with substance
Panther Westwinds blended a passion for pre-war designs with modern-era mechanical usability and remarkably fine coachbuilding
Dead ringers
The Maserati Kyalami and De Tomaso Longchamp share much, having emerged from the same stable, but are poles apart at heart