At the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show Alfa Romeo has revealed the Stelvio, its much awaited first SUV, in the top-of-the-line Quadrifoglio version, with a strong focus on performance.

Named after the Stelvio Pass in the Italian Alps – one of the most famous test driving roads in the world – the SUV marks Alfa Romeo much anticipated entry into the crucial mid-size SUV market segment.

The Stelvio, in particular the sporty Quadrifoglio version, builds on the philosophy introduced with the Giulia, and offers extreme performances thanks to the most powerful Alfa Romeo production engine ever, an all-aluminum 2.9-liter V6 bi-turbo V-6 units with 500+ hp that enables a 0-60 mph time under 4 seconds.

This allows the Stelvio to be considered a possible contender to premium brands such as Jaguar, Porsche and AMG.

Additional technical highlights shared across all the different models include the Q4 all-wheel-drive system and a lightweight construction that allows to achieve a near 50/50 weight distribution and high torsional rigidity.

From an aesthetic point of view, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio showcases a low ground clearance and dynamic lines accentuated by the angled character line, the muscular shoulders and the sporty, typical Alfa Romeo face, with the surface treatment and details clearly influenced by the Giulia.

All this makes the Stelvio appear almost like a crossover rather than a typical SUV, which may appeal to potential customers looking for performances more than pure versatility.

Check the complete gallery here.

(Source: Alfa Romeo)