It was originally expected that the Stelvio would be shown at this month's Paris Motor Show, but Alfa Romeo has been forced to delay a number of its products recently. The Stelvio's reveal was likely pushed to the next major Motor Show. The Stelvio will sit on the same platform as the Giulia sedan, and should come with a range-topping twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 making 505 horsepower.
US pricing is yet to be announced, but the Stelvio should compete with established luxury SUVs like the BMW X3 and Audi Q5, as well as newcomers like the Jaguar F-Pace, Mercedes GLC, and Porsche Macan. The Stelvio will be an interesting Italian alternative to the current batch of luxury SUVs. We have been very excited to finally receive the Giulia in the US, but the Stelvio is by far the more important model for Alfa Romeo. SUV sales are rising, especially in the US, and luxury buyers seem to smitten with them. If Alfa Romeo hopes to compete against luxury rivals in the US, it has to offer an SUV. After some painful delays with the Giulia, Alfa Romeo needs to make sure the Stelvio is on time.
We still don't have any Giulias at US dealerships, and the hype has died off as a result. Alfa Romeo needs to take advantage of the hot-selling nature of SUVs in the US and get the Stelvio in dealerships as soon as possible.