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.
This story is from the November 2024 edition of Classic & Sports Car.
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This story is from the November 2024 edition of Classic & Sports Car.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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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
Rewriting the rulebook on what an SUV can do, and how it can make you feel
FLOATING INTO THE FUTURE
Citroën's DS-replacing CX was at a cutting edge so sharp it still looks fresh today, and it had the drive to match - as five superb survivors reveal
"It's a car for posing in really"
Broadcaster Michael Buerk reflects on more than three decades with his beloved Jaguar E-type S1 3.8 fixed-head coupé
HONDAS DECK THE HALL
The Japanese firm's Los Angeles collection is now on public display for the first time in two decades
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
