2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio AWD - Bottom Line Review

LUCK OF THE PAINTED EXTRA LEAF :  Good fortune pronounced by a rarer fourth leaf mutation of the common tri-foliate ground cover is commonly associated with the "Luck of the Irish" or any illustration of a Leprechaun from pagan Gaelic lore.

In 1923, motorsport brand Alfa Romeo entered its historically also-ran open wheel, front engine RL TF car in the Targa Florio Sicilian endurance race. For an added measure of luck, one of the four team drivers, Ugo Sivocci, had a four-leaf clover, set within a half-rotated white square, painted on the side of his RL TF's hood. The result was an Alfa capture of the Targa Florio checkered flag.

Further evidence of the Alfa Romeo "good fortune" quad cloverleaf tradition followed a few months later, with the tragic death of driver Sivocci practicing for the Italian Monza Grand Prix in an Alfa P1 lacking the four-leaf clover. Subsequent performance Alfa Romeo models donning the "Quadrifolgio" had it set in white triangle, omitting the fourth angle as a tribute to Sivocci.

The re-emergence of the Alfa Romeo prestige passenger car brand in America in 2016, after a twenty-three year hiatus, came with racing pedigree expectations. A sedan would be named compact crossover sport utility model bore the name of the 48 hairpin turn Eastern Italian Alpine road pass. Most definitely wearing the white triangle Clover leaf, the most Modena influenced is the 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

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WHAT: 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio AWD (Type 949) compact luxury high performance sport activity vehicle, built on FCA "Giorgio" platform, based upon the exclusively rear-drive Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio (Type 952) high performance sport sedan. The Stelvio Type 949 was launched in the U.S. market in 2016.

Standard Q Power: 690T twin IHI single scroll turbocharged 2.9L 24V DI DOHC V-6 (based upon Ferrari F154 V-8), start/ stop idle.

• NET POWER: 505 hp @ 6500 rpm / 443 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm; 7400 rpm redline
  • twin air intake chillers
  • drive mode controlled quad exhaust pipes
  • ZF 8HP75 design torque converter planetary transmission w/ shift paddles
  • viscous clutch differential all-wheel drive + rear dual clutch limited slip differential

By Comparison:

• +2 hp @ +250 r.p.m. / -36 lb-ft @ -250 r.p.m. vs. BMW X3M Competition (S58B30T0)
• -0.7 lb / hp. (+8%) , -297 lbs. vs. BMW X3M Competition

WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE(S): Carmelo Giannone's sinewy compact SUV shape avoid cubism, instead wearing a suit inspired by the curves of its namesake snaking road. The tapered nose leverages the storied inverted Alfisti triangle dark honeycomb character grill. The masterful penmanship strokes are the parabolic upper rear quarter panel curve and subtle mid liftgate duckbill spoiler which allows transforms the exaggerated Kammback into a curvaceous sportback.

• Up Front: Dark honeycomb mesh V-Scudetto inverted triangle center grille and lower fascia inlets; Lower valance front splitter; Hood flanks heat extractor vents.
• At the Sides: Coke-bottle fuselage Kammback crossover SUV, swept back windscreen, rising high belt-line, with tracing crease and rising cheatline character crease; Darkened pillars; Body color matched side skirts; Upper door mounted carbon fiber wing mirrors.
• Lighting: FRONT triple lens matrix angel-eye LEDs in a boomerang housing; REAR raceway LCDs in a boomerang housing; REAR lateral reflectors in upper lower fascia corners.
• Around Back: Body colored rear roof spoiler; Tall liftgate with mid and lower beveling for license plate bowl & grab ledge; Darkened lower rear fascia, traced in body color, with honeycomb print center and staggered twin outlet corner exhaust pipes; Darkened lower diffuser.
• Quadrifoglio CUES: √ Ugo Sivocci tributo Clover leaf set in white triangle aft upper fender badges; Unique honeycomb accents, front splitter, rear diffuser, staggered rear quad pipes.

WHY: SUV tribute to the superstition of racer Udo Sivocci imparts legacy of Ferrari architecture engine.

WHEN: On-Sale (in the U.S.) since late Spring 2023 (production ceased late Spring 2024)

WHERE: Alfa Romeo new vehicle dealers (from inventory)

WHERE MADE: Cassino plant at Piedimonte San Germano, Lazio Prefecture, Italy

WHERE TO:  Running on P Zero summer rubber 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio is a boss on the dry asphalt twisties. Electronic coupling all-wheel drive is nominally 100% rear wheel driven, with 50% of torque available for front wheels dependent on traction and yaw inputs. Despite the Stelvio Pass' 9,000 foot elevation, the Alfa doesn't include a snow drive program. That's why winter tires exist.

HOW ROADWORTHY: The 690T V-6 mill is based on a shortened Ferrari 154 V-8 small block. Retaining the 90 degree valley calls for three offset crankshaft journal pins splayed at 120 degrees, with two side-by-side connecting rods each. Hood heat extractors evacuate the heat generated from the two single scroll IHI turbochargers each unleashing 2o psi of nominal boost pressure.

• The Power: Modern race car steering yokes feature ignition buttons. While most other high performance carmakers place their red START buttons or toggle switches on the center stack or console, Alfa Romeo does it the Corsa correct way. If squeezing the left thumb, while gripping the beefy helm to fire up the 2024 Stelvio Quadrifoglio hot blown bent six, doesn't bring out ghost of Uvocci in the driver's seat, the secondary exhaust valve tenor's bellowing in Dynamic mode will.

To move out with molto vitesse on the open strada the DNA Pro knob should be twisted twice to Dynamic, calling up Race mode. Cuing the turbos for overboost, fully opening the secondary exhaust butterfuland killing stability and traction control and forward collision braking, the driver still can depress the Damper logo button in the midst of the controller to override ride stiffness. With the hammer down, left to its own programming, the ZF 8HP75 slushbox allows the 690T to bark, then roar before redline upshifting with authority. Backing slightly off the throttle issues exhaust back pressure pop. Tugging the imposing blade-like column mount shift paddles provides more control over the antics in particular the engine braking. In full disclosure, the tested Verde Montreal Monster easily overtook a late 2010's Chevy SS stuffed with LS3 V-8 at full gallop.

• Dynamic, Normal, Advance efficiency Pro x 4 drive modes
  • center console drive mode knob
  • Mode dependent settings: torque, steering, transmission, AWD, exhaust, throttle, rear torque vectoring
  • Race mode selects turbo overboost & drift mode
  • Race mode suspension override
  • Performance pages - infotainment display: oil pressure, turbo boost, torque, drag race elapsed times
  • -1 No launch control
• Drive-by-wire drive position center console shift lever replica of 2000's BMW's

• The Control: The amazing five leaf clover twenty inch wheels on the 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio fill the arches better than competitors' 21 inchers. Combined with slightly taller tire sidewalls, the continuously adaptive dampers, in their softest setting, impressively filter out any jarring from the taut wheel movement. Beefy sway bars and progressive springs fully settle the body attitude. Owing to ample body & suspension aluminum, occupants sense billet level rigidity. What the sticky Pirelli P Zero ARs encounter at the road surface is messaged to the helm, which then metes out such alacritous action. Proving that Race mode is indeed best for a smooth Pista, the default stiffest damping is jarring on the Strada, however the driver can select something tamer to their taste.

The front end is imbued with greater caster for attacking hairpins, while the unique four and a half links in back keeps the rear wheels planted. Dispatching any possibility of That twin clutch active locking rear differential in concert with a wide staggered rear tire fitment excises understeer. Those Pirelli P Zeros, specifically designed for the Corsa grade Stelvio, are wicked in grip, without any attendant roar.

The Stelvio Quadrifoglio partial brake-by-wire set-up retains potent Brembo hydraulic monobloc calipers clamping huge discs. Pedal feel adjusting for varying drive conditions, intended to maintain consistent pedal travel, is a bit tepid on Strada. A dive resistant chassis is worthy of the Corsa prodigious stopping power, however the pedal reaction is a bit too tame on the Strada.

HOW FAR: 18 combined miles per gallon fuel economy; 388 highway miles range running 93 octane unleaded fuel.

HOW BIG/ LITTLE: The 2024 Alfa Stelvio approaches mid-size utility. While 2nd Row hip room remains narrow, five occupants can each load a week's worth bag in the cargo bay.

- For Comparison's Sake:

• 112.8"-inch Wheelbase: 1.8" > BMW X3M Competition
• 36.4"-inch 2nd Row legroom: 4.5" > BMW X3M Competition
• Nominal, expanded cargo capacity: +23%, -5.0% vs. BMW X3M Competition

HOW USEFUL: √ 40/20/40% split folding 2nd Row seat backs + dual cargo bay cable & bottom seat cushion releases; √ Cargo bay privacy shade; √ Cargo-area 12V outlet; √ Mouse-fur lined, damped action glove box.

• Super low cargo load floor; Deep cargo bay
• -1 Sparse subfloor management tray; Somewhat intrusive cargo area wheel arches; No overhead console retracting sunglass bin; Small center console storage bin

HOW SAFE: √ 7 airbags; √ Surround view cameras; sonar front & rear Park Distance Control;

• IIHS Not tested - related Guilia sedan earned Top Safety Pick MY 2018

Driver assist technology: √ STANDARD = Pedestrian & daytime cyclist detection braking; Forward collision avoidance braking; Blind spot & rear cross traffic warning; Lane departure; Road edge & Sway Warning, Lane Keep Assist; Cruise control, Automatic High Beam headlights; 2nd Row occupant minder

• AVAILABLE: Optional:^{(included on tested vehicle)} ♦ Adaptive cruise control w/ full stop, resume and speed limit influence; ♦ Trafffic jam speed & steer assistance; ♦ Lane centering control; ♦ Blind spot & Rear Cross-traffic avoidance braking; ♦ Driver attention monitor
• -1 momentary driver eye movement away from road de-activates Level 2.0 driver assistance

HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY: True Italian driving Dolce Vita, beyond the Pista, consists of departing the Autostrada for the winding Stradale Provinciale in search il Mare o le Vigne al Sole. Thus, the cabin of the 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio is optimized for the business of driving, keeping distracting frills to a minimum. A semblance of heritage is manifested in the twin hood binnacle twin counter directional dial instrument cluster with an old fashioned Veglia style theme numerals inverted at the opposite end. Tucked seam leather covered dash-top & upper door panels and woven carbon fiber inlays and center console knobs with knurled aluminum banding represent a premium brand. The wonderful to hold Quadrifoglio specific steering wheel is the only place with Alcantara. Still, repurposed FIAT door and steering spoke switches, which have snuck inside, and limited color contrast mar the near six figure price tag.

The upper middle dash embedded diagonal 8.8" inch remote and touch infotainment display, circa late 2010s, is dated next to the U-Connect 5 UI screen in the new, entry level Tonale sub-compact. Too much information is condensed into the triple app screen windows, and graphics resolution is a bit dull. Stelvio Quadrifolgio "Performance Pages" pale to what Dodge pioneered a decade ago.

• √ Heated 16-way power front sport seats, torso & lumber adjust, manual knee extenders, 2-setting driver's memory; √ 4 power windows, full express; √ 2-Zone auto climate control; √ 2nd Row and aft dark tint privacy glass; √ Heated outboard 2nd Row seating; √ Leather, Alcantara , woven carbon fiber tilt & telescoping steering wheel; √ Power panorama roof, separate 2nd Row shade; √ Power folding wing mirrors; √ Comfort approach access keyless entry

Cool Gizmo(s): ♦ 12.3"-inch TFT instrument cluster w/ Evolved, Relaxed, Heritage (with numerals inverted at far end of dials) motifs, G-Force, ADAS, navigation direction & trip meter

Details Done Right: ♦ Oversized aluminum steering column shift paddles; ♦ Stainless steel pedal covers; ♦ Aluminum door speaker grilles; ♦ Knurled edge center console remote infotainment knob; ♦ Brushed aluminum accents, door latches, speaker covers; ♦ Woven carbon fiber dash, door and center console inlays; ♦ Perforated Nappa leather seating; ♦ Dense pile carpet; ♦ Thick mesh headliner + upper cabin pillars; ♦ Tucked seam smooth leather soft mid dash and upper door panels; √ Tandem white contrast stitching.

Nearly Non Descript: -1 FIAT door & steering spoke switches

HOW CONNECTED: √ 8.8" Alfa Connect center dash top embedded, tri-pane landscape capacitive touch & remote LCD infotainment screen; √ Bluetooth & voice command hands-free communications x 2 active devices; √ Voice to text SMS messaging; √ USB-A x 3, USB-C x 1, 12V x 2, 3.5mm auxilary jack x 1; √ Qi Wireless charging tray.

Audibly Speaking: √ 16 speaker, 600 W Harman Kardon DTS 7.1 RDS HD radio = shallow bass, crisp highs, convincing sound stage

HOW "APP" -LICABLE:  √ Android Auto / Apple Car Play smart phone projection; √ Amazon Alexa access; √ Alfa Connected Services + over the air updates

• Alfa Connect voice commands for climate, audio, voice to text SMS and navigation inputs
• By Subscription: √ Sirius XM (90 days included); √ Wi-Fi hot spot (2GB trial by AT&T Wireless); Connected Services assistance, navigation, remote vehicle access (3 years trial).

HOW MUCH: $93,360 = as tested 2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio AWD suggested retail price (includes $2200 Verde Montreal tri-coat metallic green color).

WHAT'S MISSING: Launch control; Head up display; Larger infotainment screen

ANY COMPETITION: BMW X3M: Roundel for Rumble; Mercedes Benz AMG GLC 63: Stuttgart's tuned Tri-Star; Porsche Macan GTS: standard for high performance compact SUV's before the electrified future from Zuffenhausen