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Stelvio expands Alfa’s North American product line to three.

The 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio will soon arrive in dealer showrooms, the third US model for this premium Italian brand. The Stelvio joins the 4C sports car and the compact Giulia sedan, expanding Alfa’s reach into unchartered territory.

Indeed, that dominion is long dominated by the premium German makes — Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. This means that every shopper is a potential conquest buyer as Alfa brings forth its first-ever SUV.

Italy’s Stelvio Pass

Named for the famous Stelvio Pass in northern Italy, the 2018 Stelvio shares its underpinnings with the rear-wheel drive Giulia. Unlike the sedan, the Stelvio has standard all-wheel drive. Like the sedan, it will also offer a high-performance Quadrifoglio version arriving later.

The Stelvio’s chief competitors include the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Jaguar F-PACE, and the Porsche Macan. Certainly, stiff competition.

2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

Fortunately, Alfa Romeo has priced the 2018 Stelvio competitively, from $43,985, including destination. Even when playing with the Stelvio’s price configurator, I managed to keep the final cost below $50,000, or within the realm of competing models.

Specifically, my add-ons included special metallic paint ($600), 18-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels ($500), an 8.8-inch touchscreen display with Bluetooth and navigation ($1,550), satellite radio ($350), and a pair of driver assist packages totaling $2,300.

However, don’t expect such price restraint when the high-end, fully-optioned Quadrifoglio debuts. The upcoming 505-horsepower SUV may top $70,000 when all is said and done.

Model Highlights: Standard Equipment

All 2018 Stelvio models come with a 2.0-liter twin-turbo four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. A sport-tuned suspension provides swagger and, hopefully, without much sway. In any case, a 5.4-second 0-60 mph time is in the offing.

Standard equipment includes 18-inch aluminum wheels, bi-xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights and LED taillights, and leather seats.

Packages and upgrades bring in 19-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, black roof rails, sport steering wheel, and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

A heated steering wheel, sport leather seats, wood trim, and other amenities expand this model’s offerings.

Top Safety Offerings

On the safety front, the 2018 Stelvio goes well beyond a standard rearview camera by offering a pair of driver assist packages. The Driver Assist Dynamic Plus package ($1,500) brings in automatic high beam headlamp control, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. An infrared windshield (useful for reflecting light and reducing heat) and lane departure warning round out the package.

Buyers may also choose a Drive Assist Static With Front Sensors package ($800), outfitted with blind spot and cross path detection, front and rear park assist, and automatic dimming side mirrors.

The Bottom Line

All in all, the 2018 Stelvio represent’s Alfa’s strongest North American entry to date. The competition is most certainly stiff and that means Alfa must execute flawlessly. If successful, Alfa may soon find itself in the company of the world’s best luxury brands — and that’s no small feat for a make largely unfamiliar to most Americans.

2018 Alfa Rome Stelvio Quadrifoglio — This pictured Quadrifoglio edition has a quad-tip exhaust system.

2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Specifications

Alfa Romeo	Stelvio
Segment	Midsize Luxury SUV
Base Sticker Price	$42,900 (plus $995 destination)
Price as Tested	NA
Standard Engine	2.0-liter, twin-scroll turbo I4
Transmission	Eight-speed manual
Horsepower @ RPM	280 @ 5,200
Torque (lb.-ft.) @ RPM	306 @ 2,000 to 4,800
Seating	2+3
Curb Weight (pounds)	4,044
Wheelbase (inches)	111.0
Length (inches)	184.6
Width (inches)	74.9
Height (inches)	66.0
Headroom (f,r — inches)	40.2, 38.9
Legroom (f,r — inches)	36.6, 31.9
Shoulder room (f,r — inches)	NR, NR
Hip room (f,r — inches)	NR, NR
Storage (cubic feet)	18.5/56.5
Gross vehicle weight (pounds)	NR
Towing (pounds)	3,000
Payload (pounds)	NR
Fuel	premium
Fuel Tank (gallons)	16.9
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway)	22/28
Manufacturing Plant	Cassino, Italy

See Also — What’s Next for Alfa Romeo?

Photos copyright Alfa Romeo Motors.

Sales setback is temporary with some surprises thrown in.

US auto sales fell by 6.1 percent last month, but the end is hardly near. Instead, the industry counted two fewer selling days for May, accounting for much of the loss for the month.

2015 Ford F-150

Ford F-150 sales rose in by 9 percent in May.

US Manufacturers: Only FCA Rises

As expected, Fiat Chrysler sales rose by 1.1 percent, largely on the strength of its Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivan models. Jeep was another positive spot and was the only Fiat Chrysler brand other than Alfa Romeo to post gains for the month.

Some manufacturers such as GM posted larger losses than expected. GM sales fell by 18 percent, while Ford’s drop of 6.1 percent matched the industry’s average. GM blamed much of its decline to a reduction in fleet sales.

Had Ford maintained its sales from last month, it would have topped GM. Instead, it closed the gap to about 5,700 units, while remaining ahead of Toyota. The bright spot for Ford was once again its line of F-Series trucks. In May, Ford sold 67,412 units, up 9 percent for the month.

Hyundai Records a Strong May

Every major manufacturer outside of FCA posted losses last month, but there was a noticeable exception from the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group — Hyundai sales rose by a robust 11.6 percent; Kia sales edged up by 0.8 percent.

“Our refreshed CUV lineup continues to exhibit strength in this market,” said Derrick Hatami, vice president of national sales for Hyundai Motor America.

2016 Subaru Forester

Forester and Outback sales continue to pace Subaru.

As for the Big 3 Japanese manufacturers, Toyota sales fell by 9.6 percent, Nissan dipped by 1 percent, and Honda sales were off by 4.8 percent. But there were some bright spots here too — Scion sales rose by 38.6 percent as Toyota continues to wind down its youth brand. Infiniti sales were also up, climbing by 3.4 percent.

BMW Group sales fell by 8.7 percent, Daimler was off by 1.9 percent, while Audi sales rose by 1.6 percent. Volkswagen Group sales fell by 9.5 percent, dragged down by Volkswagen’s 17.2 percent plunge.

Jaguar Propels JLR

Jaguar, with two new products to offer, enjoyed a 79.7 percent increase for the month. Meanwhile, Land Rover sales fell by 8 percent. Thus, JLR sales rose by 8 percent based on Jaguar’s strong month.

“We are very pleased that through five months of the year, we have increased our business for both Jaguar and Land Rover brands,” said Joe Eberhardt, President and CEO, Jaguar Land Rover, North America, LLC. “The Land Rover brand continues its momentum from a record setting 2015, and Jaguar has taken off with the expansion of the Jaguar brand into two dynamic new segments with the Jaguar XE and F-PACE which are now on sale.”

Subaru Breaks a Record…Again

While FCA now has 74 consecutive months of month-over-month gains to its credit, Subaru is not too far behind with a 54-month streak of its own in place. Last month, Subaru had its best May ever, with sales topping 50,000 units. Its Forester and Outback models helped this niche automaker realize a 1.1 percent gain for the month.

And not to be overlooked is Volvo. The Swedish automaker is enjoying a strong rebound this year, largely based on its all-new XC90 crossover utility vehicle. Volvo sales rose by 10.2 percent in May.

“Our refreshed CUV lineup continues to exhibit strength in this market,” said Derrick Hatami, vice president of national sales for Hyundai Motor America.

Crossover sales, including this Santa Fe, lifted Hyundai sales.

“With 10 percent growth for May while the overall industry is down, and now eleven months of double digit sales growth, it is a true testament to the transformation of Volvo in the US,” said Lex Kerssemakers, President and CEO, Volvo Car USA.

Mazda sales fell by 4.3 percent, Mitsubishi sales were off by 5.7 percent, and Tesla sales rose an estimated 55.3 percent according to Autodata Corp.

SAAR Still Strong

Despite the sales drop, the all-important SAAR remains strong. SAAR or the Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate takes into account fluctuations, such as a sales calendar with two fewer selling days. For May, the SAAR remains above 17 million units.

Sales data per Automotive News and the car manufacturers.

AUDI

About the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio