Alfa Romeo has launched its first modern SUV: the all-new Stelvio. Available in three trim levels – Stelvio, Super and Tecnica – it will initially be offered with a choice of a 276 bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol or a 207 bhp 2.2-litre diesel engine, both combined with an 8-speed automatic transmission and Q4 all-wheel drive.

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio version is equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, 8.8-inch Alfa Connect, Alfa D.N.A Rotary selector, 8-speaker audio system, black fabric seats (front with sliding, reclining and height adjustments), Integrated Brake System (IBS), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with Autonomous Emergency Brake (AEB) and pedestrian detection. This version also includes parking sensors, cruise control, electric tailgate and dusk and rain sensors.

The Super version builds on this with additional interior and exterior features: 18-inch alloy wheels, techno-leather and fabric seats in a choice of three colours (black, black/brown and black/red), and three options for the dashboard and door panels (black, black/brown or black/red) and door sills with steel inserts.

An additional Luxury Pack and Sports Pack are also available.

The Luxury Pack includes full grain leather seats (in black, brown, red or beige) with electrical adjustment and heating system, as well as real wood inserts. The Sport Pack comes with heated sports steering wheel, specific grip and leather wrapping, racing-style leather seats in black, red or brown, with electric adjustment and heating system, aluminium inserts and steel pedals.

The Tecnica is aimed at fleet, corporate and professional customers. Exclusively available with the diesel engine, it features the 8.8-inch Alfa Connect 3D Nav, Bi-Xenon headlights with AFS and electric folding mirrors.

The diesel engine is built at the Pratola Serra plant, in areas assigned only to Alfa Romeo engines. Both engines are combined with an automatic 8-speed transmission and Q4 all-wheel drive.

The  2.2-litre diesel engine will available with two power outputs: 207 bhp at launch and 178 bhp following shortly after. It is the first diesel engine in Alfa Romeo’s history to be constructed entirely in aluminium. It features the latest-generation injection system with Injection Rate Shaping (IRS) and operating pressures of 2,000-bar. The electrically-operated variable geometry turbocharger offers state-of-the-art mechanics and a turbocharger speed sensor to minimise response times and improves efficiency. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio 207 bhp 2.2-litre Diesel reaches a top speed of 133mph and accelerates from zero to 62mph in 6.6 seconds.

Both Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV engines are teamed with the ZF automatic 8-speed transmission, specifically calibrated for fast, smooth gear shifts. Alfa says the automatic transmission works with the Alfa D.N.A selector to optimise fluidity, comfort and ease of driving in all environments and helps to further improve fuel economy and CO2 emissions. Steering-column-mounted, aluminium paddle shifters are also available.

Alfa says that, inspired by Italy’s highest mountain pass – a 20 kilometre driving route with more than 75 hairpins – the Stelvio has been built to offer an engaging driving experience while still maintaining the driver’s comfort.

The new SUV features Alfalink technology – the most direct steering ratio in the segment and state-of-the-art suspension. Combined with ultra-lightweight, hi-tech materials, such as carbon fibre for the drive shaft and aluminium for the engines, suspension systems, hood, wings, doors and the tailgate, the car also features the Alfa Romeo Q4 all-wheel drive system.

The Stelvio also features perfect weight distribution between the two axles – a distinctive feature of Alfa Romeos. Managing the weights and materials, including adjusting the car’s layout by placing the heaviest units in the most central positions, have helped achieve this 50/50 weight distribution. Light-weight materials reduce the SUV’s total weight and provide torsional rigidity in the interests of ride and handling.

A new double wishbone suspension with a semi-virtual steering axis, optimising the filtering effect was developed for the front suspension. The rear suspension uses a four-and-a-half link system – patented by Alfa Romeo – to deliver precise control of the wheel’s characteristic angles. Alfa says the Stelvio SUV has the most direct steering ratio in its segment delivering a natural, instinctive feel.

The Q4 all-wheel drive system, with rear-wheel-drive bias, includes an active transfer case and front differential designed to give rapid-response management of high torque levels and a compact, lightweight set-up. The Q4 system continuously monitors numerous parameters to optimise torque distribution between the two axles according to what the car is doing and how much grip the road surface offers. In normal grip conditions the Alfa Romeo Stelvio acts like a rear-wheel-drive vehicle with 100 per cent of the torque sent to the rear axle. As the wheels approach their grip limit the system transfers up to 50 per cent of the torque to the front axle. in the interests of traction and directional stability on corners.

An optional mechanical self-locking rear differential transfers more torque to the wheel with most grip to optimise the car’s traction in any driving conditions.

Alfa says three features of its design tradition are visible in the new Alfa Romeo Stelvio’s exterior: proportion, simplicity and top-quality surfacing. The 525-litre boot features a convenient electric tailgate that can be configured with eight different setup levels for optimal boot access.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio is equipped with the Alfa Connect system – developed in partnership with Magneti Marelli – with the latest-generation HMI interface, which is controlled from the Rotary Pad and the display incorporated in the dashboard. The system not only controls the DAB digital radio but also provides a Bluetooth system for hands-free communication and playing audio from USB and smartphones devices.

The entire range is supplied as standard with an 8.8″ display with optional Connect 3D Nav 8.8” which supplies navigation with high-resolution 3D maps and high-speed route calculation. The system is also available without a GPS signal thanks to the Dead Reckoning technology, TomTom map updating from the USB port, driving style information and Alfa D.N.A. mode.

An audio system featuring eight speakers (four woofers and four tweeters) is standard across the range. 10 speakers (four woofers, four tweeters, a mid-range and a subwoofer in the boot), and a 14 speaker Harman Kardon system (four woofers, four tweeters, five mid-ranges and a subwoofer) are also optionally available.

The Alfa Romeo Stelvio features the new Alfa D.N.A selector, which allows the driver to modify the car’s dynamic behaviour with three modes: Dynamic, Natural and Advanced Efficiency (new energy-saving mode). Dynamic mode accentuates performance and reactive handling. The steering response becomes more precise, braking is more immediate and the electronic control systems do not interfere with the pleasure of sports-style driving. Natural mode is for urban and motorway driving; handling is tailored for comfort and fuel economy. And finally, the new Advanced Efficiency maximises energy saving and minimises emissions levels.

Alfa says the Stelvio SUV is the world’s first car in its segment to offer a new electromechanical system that combines stability control with a traditional servo brake. With its combination of electronics and mechanics, this system is designed to cut weights, give an excellent driving “feel” and eliminate pedal vibration while guaranteeing instant brake response, meaning a much shorter braking distance.

A whole host of safety systems are standard on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio including Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with Autonomous Emergency Brake (AEB), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), Rear Cross-Path Detection and Active Cruise Control.

UK pricing and specification will be confirmed closer to the start of sales.