Alfa Romeo Stelvio – engine and transmission
The engine lineup has been simplified in recent years, with one diesel unit and two petrols. An eight-speed auto is standard, operated by gorgeous aluminium paddles
Leaving the Quadrifoglio aside, the Stelvio is available with two four-cylinder engines. The first is a 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol developing 276bhp at 5250rpm and 295lb ft of torque from 1750rpm, while the second displaces 2.2 litres and drinks diesel. This one makes 207bhp at 3750rpm and a brawny 347lb ft, also at 1750rpm. An eight-speed torque converter automatic is the sole transmission available, just as it is on the Giulia whose Giorgio platform the Stelvio shares.
There's joy to be had clicking up and down the ratios via Alfa’s stunning aluminium gearshift paddles, even if the shifts aren't quite as defined as a DCT. Left to its own devices the gearbox swaps cogs smoothly and fades into the background, making it comfortable for everyday drives.
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The engines themselves are effective, if not overly engaging. The diesel is smooth and quiet enough at low speeds and stirs the Stelvio along at a decent pace, and it undoubtedly suits an SUV’s typical usage profile. It doesn’t feel very 'Alfa' though and gets a bit rough and noisy at higher revs. Better is the petrol. It’s far from being the smoothest unit we’ve tried (given the four-pot felt tight in the higher reaches, it may improve with miles) but the character is more befitting of an Alfa Romeo.
The Quadrifoglio version tops the tree with a 2.9-litre, twin-turbocharged V6. Even though some SUVs have caught up to and surpassed its 513bhp output, performance still feels truly explosive (perhaps partly due to its relatively low c1800kg kerb weight), with a wonderful V6 crescendo at high revs.
