With so many boring, derivative German dominated SUV’s on the market at the moment Alfa Romeo wants to make an equally boring mark in the SUV segment with the Stelvio crossover / SUV which is kind of like saying its a car but it isn’t a car. Rather oddly and in keeping with Alfa’s recent launch strategy the company has decided to introduce a full-blown performance version first. The usual boring launch strategy is to get the diesel and petrol engines out to way so that the PR can proudly spend all of its time planning for a full blow ceremony of the performance version at a later date. So enter first the debut of Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio AWD which is powered by a 2.9-litre V6 bi-turbo petrol engine that outputs 510bhp, 600Nm of torque and has a 0-62 time of 3.8 seconds and delivers a top speed of 176mph. Alfa Romeo touts a really good time around the Nurburgring, which should be ignored because it’s pointless and meaningless. But the Stelvio does have ceramic brakes. The suspension has a double wishbone system with semi-virtual steering axis, to optimise bump filtration and ensure quick, precise responses to steering inputs. Alfa says the Stelvio will become the best in class car that isn’t a car, UK order books are ready and waiting for your signature with first deliveries expected in Q1 2018. Price?… expensive