Behind Wheel Of Alfa Stelvio SUV

We drive striking new Porsche Macan rival that’s set to lead sales charge.

- Steve Sutcliffe

THE Stelvio SUV is very possibly the most important car in Alfa

Romeo’s 105-year history, according to company boss Reid Bigland.

But if that sounds like hyperbole given Alfa’s illustrious past, then consider this: the Stelvio will account for more than half of all Alfa sales globally once it hits the road later this year – and in the process, it will transform the brand into a major world player in the premium segment. The Stelvio will spearhead a new marketing push, not just into the US, but China and Asia as well.

In the UK it could even account for as much as two-thirds of Alfa sales over the next five years, so it’s a fundamental car for the famous old Italian brand.

Based heavily on the underpinnings of the well received Giulia saloon, the Stelvio will initially come with two engine choices in the UK; a 2.0-litre turbo petrol unit with 276bhp and 400Nm, or a 2.2-litre diesel with 207bhp and 470Nm. Both versions will be linked to an eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard – a manual isn’t even available as an option. Both will be all wheel drive, featuring the same clever Q4 system pioneered on the Giulia.

Eventually, a more potent 503bhp flagship will join the mainstays, using the same Ferrari-derived twin-turbo V6 as the Giulia Quadrifoglio. The 0-62mph time for this £60,000-plus mega Stelvio will be under four seconds, says Alfa, but it won’t go on sale here until 2018.

For the time being, then, Stelvio customers will have to make do with the two versions we’ve driven here. So what are they like?