Alfa Romeo prices its first SUV

Australian pricing and specs have been announced for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio ahead of its official release later than expected on March 20.

Taking aim directly at the established mid-size German luxury SUVs, Alfa's first SUV will be priced from $65,900 plus on-road costs.

That's the exact same entry prices as Audi's top-selling Q5, slightly less than the BMW X3 (2WD from $66,900), Mercedes-Benz GLC ($67,500), a lot less than Jaguar's F-PACE ($72,510) and midway between the Lexus NX ($54,800) and RX (RX $74,251).

Two turbocharged four-cylinder engine options will be available from launch - 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel, the latter commanding a $2000 price premium.

Pricing is yet to be announced for the range-topping Stelvio QV, which will rival the Audi SQ5, but the Stelvio First Edition will be available from launch, limited to 300 units (200 diesels, 100 petrols).

Priced from $71,900, the Stelvio First Edition offers a claimed $8000 of extra equipment but is limited to five paint colours: Alfa Red, Alfa White (Solid), Vulcano Black, Vesuvio Grey (Metallic), Stromboli Grey (Metallic).

Also available will be a $5000 Veloce Pack containing many of the features standard in the Stelvio First Edition.

Standard across the range is Q4 all-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic transmission and a range of safety features including autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection (AEB), forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-path detection and Integrated Brake System (IBS).

We've driven and documented the Stelvio extensively before, but Alfa claims the Italian-made Stelvio delivers class-leading performance and economy, near-perfect 50/50 front/rear weight distribution and unique features like the three-mode (Dynamic, Natural, Advanced Efficiency) Alfa DNA Drive Mode Selector.

The Stelvio's all-aluminium turbo-petrol engine features MultiAir electro-hydraulic valve actuation, '2-into-1' turbo, 200-bar direct-injection and a carbon-fibre driveshaft. It develops 148kW/330Nm, consumes 7.0L/100km and accelerates the Stelvio to 100km/h in a claimed 7.2 seconds on its way to a 215km/h top speed.

The 154kW/470Nm turbo-diesel is also all-aluminium and features latest-generation MultiJet II injection with Injection Rate Shaping (IRS), operating pressures of 2000 bar and a variable-geometry turbocharger. It offers the same top speed as the petrol engine but is quicker to 100km/h (6.6sec) and more efficient (4.8L1/00km).

The Stelvio, which takes its name from the famous Italian mountain pass, has a kerb weight of 1660kg (diesel: 1604kg), an unbraked tow capacity of 750kg and a cargo volume of 525-1600 litres.

"We're thrilled to be announcing the highly-anticipated release in Australia of Alfa Romeo's first SUV, the all-new Stelvio," said Alfa Romeo Australia CEO Steve Zanlunghi.

"The premium mid-size SUV segment in Australia is forecast to grow and the introduction of the Stelvio now allows us exposure to this opportunity and with it, further expansion of the brand.

"Stelvio opens doors to customers that may not have considered our brand in the past due to the family's lifestyle - the Stelvio has the opportunity to meet this brief while still providing a dynamic driving experience.

"The Stelvio's competitive pricing presents a genuine and exciting alternative in its segment and our model mix provides plenty of opportunity for customers to find a Stelvio that suits their needs."

2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio pricing (plus ORCs):
2.0L Turbo Petrol — $65,900
2.2L Turbo Diesel — $67,900
First Edition Turbo Petrol — $71,900
First Edition Turbo Diesel — $73,900

Stelvio standard features:
19-Inch 10-Spoke alloy wheels
7.0-inch colour instrument cluster
8.8-inch colour infotainment display
Eight-speaker sound system
Alfa DNA Drive Mode System
Bluetooth audio streaming
3D satellite-navigation
Autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection
Six airbags
Blind-spot monitoring
Cruise control
Dual-zone climate-control
Electric Tailgate
Front/rear parking sensors
Reversing camera with dynamic gridlines
Hill descent control
Lane departure warning
Leather upholstered seats
Front seats with electrical adjustment
Leather steering wheel
Passive entry
Rear-view mirror auto-dimming
35W bi-xenon Headlights
Tyre pressure monitoring system

Stelvio Veloce Pack ($5000):
19-inch sport alloy wheels
Aluminium interior trim
Aluminium metal sports pedals
Black Painted Roof Rails
Frequency Selective Damping by KONI
Heated front seats
Heated steering wheel
Power bolster
Red painted brake callipers
Sport front seats
Sport steering wheel

Stelvio First Edition additional features:
Exclusive 19-inch sport alloy wheels
Aluminium interior trim
Aluminium metal sports pedals
Black painted roof rails
Frequency Selective Damping by KONI
Heated front seats
Heated steering wheel
Power bolster
Red painted brake callipers
Sport front seats
Sport steering wheel
Panoramic sunroof
14-speaker 900W Harman Kardon premium audio
Privacy glass - rear side and rear windows