VIDEO: Alfa Romeo's Stelvio Is The SUV King Of The 'Ring — Sets All-new, SUV Lap Record

I remember when the Alfa Romeo Stelvio first appeared. Seeing the images and details I wasn't sure what to make of it.

Was it really an Alfa? Did it really have that DNA lurking beneath its sheetmetal?

Or, was it simply a rebodied mish-mosh of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) parts?

Turns out that the sport-utility vehicle certainly has some of its strong, Italian roots. We can confirm this now because the Stelvio Quadrifoglio just became the world's fastest SUV around the world famous Nurburgring. It set a time of 7:51:70.

Besting the last-gen Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, which set the record of 7:59 a couple years ago, is certainly an accomplishment. 

But does this give the Stelvio more clout in your eyes? Let us know in the comments below!


Born to face any challenges, even the toughest one: Stelvio Quadrifoglio wins the world's fastest SUV title breaking the record of 7'51.7'', the second for the Alfa Romeo Quadrifoglio on the Nürburgring track. Stelvio Quadrifoglio with an all-wheel drive systemQ4 coupled with a 2.9 V6 Twin-Turbo engine of 510 hp gets an extraordinary record, reaching another important result in the history of this brand.

HenryN - 9/30/2017 1:37:14 PM

+2 Boost

If you beat the top line Porsche SUV at its stomping ground you deserve the applaud. Good job Alpha Romeo.

MDarringer - 9/30/2017 2:28:35 PM

0 Boost

"ALFA"

And it's all great until the dashboard lights up like a Christmas tree and it goes into limp mode.

That issue is still quite prevalent despite supposed reflash fixes.

TomM - 9/30/2017 3:22:14 PM

0 Boost

THe problems that most FCA products have had - have largely been software issues - instead of being Hardware problems. IF they can keep the hardware reliable - eventually they will get the software correct too - and the cars will be worth it.

THe fact is - in the past - back in TVR time - no one who bought them expected a reliable vehicle - that is why they took a mechanic with them on road races. Today's sports cars are all far more reliable than sedans were in the 70's.

Maybe there is something to be said that the Stelvio is not another Toyota = Matt would not want that - would YOU?

HenryN - 9/30/2017 3:41:30 PM

+2 Boost

Alpha - as in Alpha dog

MDarringer - 9/30/2017 4:56:05 PM

0 Boost

@TomM You're hitting the Jack Daniels early today given that you're equating a mongrel brand built in a shed (TVR) to a mainstream car company (Alfa) for quality expectations. Are you really that illogically vapid?

@HenryN Nice try at recovery, but I appreciate the effort on your part.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 9/30/2017 1:56:00 PM

+2 Boost

Good for Alfa Romeo. But I thought the Stelvio was Macan sized being that it is based on the Giulia platform.

pcar4evr - 9/30/2017 2:14:56 PM

+4 Boost

Glad to hear it made it around the track without breaking down.

MDarringer - 9/30/2017 5:24:27 PM

0 Boost

So, is the roll cage stock?

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 9/30/2017 7:59:29 PM

+2 Boost

I don't think Fiat's LD+D policies at corporate cover laps at the Ring. Law department likely dictated a full roll cage to cover off a clause that might read "all possible precautions were taken".

MDarringer - 9/30/2017 8:09:45 PM

0 Boost

But...the roll cage makes the chassis stiffer which could improve handling. The Giorgio platform is a raped down to size LX, so I suspect trickery.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 9/30/2017 10:05:30 PM

+2 Boost

If you look closely it looks like it is only bolted to itself. Might just be in place to check a box on an insurance policy. Modern cars seem pretty stiff already these days. So many % better than the previous model .. etc... Let them have their time in the sun. Power (as the new GT2 has shown) isn't the sole determinant of lap times at the Ring.

MDarringer - 9/30/2017 10:49:22 PM

0 Boost

At some point it's connected to the floor and depending how it is anchored, it can add a lot of stiffness. On one hand I find it impressive, but on the other hand I'm skeptical.

MarathonBob - 9/30/2017 11:09:31 PM

+2 Boost

Checkout the article on jalopnik suggesting Alfa cheated by editing the video to make it appear faster. As damning as low quality if it's true.

MDarringer - 10/1/2017 10:15:51 AM

0 Boost

Well imagine that!

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 10/1/2017 12:27:25 PM

+2 Boost

The truth is always stranger than fiction. Alfa Romeo would be foolish in this day and age to post a ring time that was not proper. But we will have to wait and see if it is just bad editing or more then that...