[JustChris]

Ok I'll admit it I didn't see this coming.

It's .... rather awesome! 0-60 in 3.6s
Sounds amazing
Looks are subjective but rather nice
Interior nice, those carbon bucket seats holy crap! Sweet!

Probably around £67k

Better than an M4 in the UK unless you genuinely tack your car?

[Tengocity]

Why not the Gulia?

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

Why not the Gulia?

The Stelvio is actually faster, AWD (although heavily tear biased) and a bit more practical.

Agree totally it's not a real vs M4 the Saloon is of course. Damn impressive though 510Hp

[chris-c]

They have this in one of the upcoming episodes of Top Gear.

It was against a RR Velar and a Volvo XC90. The Stelvio was excellent against the competition. Properly quick and rather decent off road. It took a proper beating too. Big jumps and other stuff. I preferred the looks of the Volvo but the Stelvio was shockingly good

[Bibbles]

Originally Posted by Incontinentia Buttocks

I agree. For all of the 'niggles' one will inevitably get with ownership, if you enjoy your driving, what a bloody great car!

If you enjoy your driving, don't get an SUV.

[KCH1984]

Originally Posted by Bibbles

If you enjoy your driving, don't get an SUV.

Classic response.

If you enjoy driving, you're only allowed a Lotus Elise, Caterham or similar.

I get the inevitable compromises with an SUV, but if you need/want this type of car and enjoy driving I can definitely see the point.

I really like the look of the new X3 M40i and can completely understand why someone would want one over an M3 for daily use on our less than perfect roads. I can also see why someone would take the M3, but it's nice to have the choice and be catered for as an enthusiastic driver when an Elise doesn't fit the bill.

[Mr Burt]

Originally Posted by KCH1984

Classic response.

If you enjoy driving, you're only allowed a Lotus Elise, Caterham or similar.

I get the inevitable compromises with an SUV, but if you need/want this type of car and enjoy driving I can definitely see the point.

I really like the look of the new X3 M40i and can completely understand why someone would want one over an M3 for daily use on our less than perfect roads. I can also see why someone would take the M3, but it's nice to have the choice and be catered for as an enthusiastic driver when an Elise doesn't fit the bill.

[ciscopete822]

Originally Posted by Bibbles

If you enjoy your driving, don't get an 335xd.

Corrected for you sir

[Bibbles]

Originally Posted by KCH1984

Classic response.

If you enjoy driving, you're only allowed a Lotus Elise, Caterham or similar.

I get the inevitable compromises with an SUV, but if you need/want this type of car and enjoy driving I can definitely see the point.

I really like the look of the new X3 M40i and can completely understand why someone would want one over an M3 for daily use on our less than perfect roads. I can also see why someone would take the M3, but it's nice to have the choice and be catered for as an enthusiastic driver when an Elise doesn't fit the bill.

That's not what I meant at all. It has nothing to do with an Elise etc. If you're looking at an X3 M40i that is more comparable to the F31 340i which should drive and handle better than the SUV equivalent. You normally go the SUV route for a higher driving position and maybe a little more space due to the squarer shape, not for the love of driving.

[KCH1984]

Originally Posted by Bibbles

That's not what I meant at all. It has nothing to do with an Elise etc. If you're looking at an X3 M40i that is more comparable to the F31 340i which should drive and handle better than the SUV equivalent. You normally go the SUV route for a higher driving position and maybe a little more space due to the squarer shape, not for the love of driving.

The F31 340i may well handle better than the X3 M40i (albeit I'd rather have AWD living in Scotland) but I could quite easily say:

"If you like driving, don't buy an estate car"

Down a B road the 340i would be left for dead by a Golf R, which would be left for dead by a Caterham etc etc. The point I'm making is many people are quick to dismiss these SUVs as pointless, but you could just about make the same argument against any performance orientated car that doesn't have performance as its sole reason to exist.

As the OP alluded to, if you're not tracking your car and enjoy a bit of performance, like a higher driving position, have kids to carry etc. then why wouldn't you look at a Stelvio or SQ5 or similar?

[isleaiw1]

I like driving - I drive an SQ5 (petrol!)

I like driving but 90% of the time i am on M'ways and dual carriageways, have a dog on board and a licence to protect...

I also like being comfortable, being able to see what the t**ts around me are up to, and to be able to cover 310 miles in a couple of days in refinement.

I like my SQ5

[Tengocity]

I'm in the middle of my own debate around whether a sporty SUV fits the bill to replace the 335d next year, and depending on the day and my mood am totally up for getting one, then the next day I'm thinking that a well sorted car is always going to be better for driving enjoyment.

I just found it odd to make a comment about the Stelio being better than the M4 when the Stelvio has a ready made car alternative stablemate in the Gulia.

All the recent reviews I've read say the Gulia knows the spots off the Stelvio for ultimate driving thrills, not just on the track but on a spirited drive on the road too.

That's not to say that the Stelvio isn't very impressive, but it's impressive for a SUV.

The fact is everyone's got their own list of needs and wants for their car and any car is going to be a basket of compromises to some extent, and the more we ask of our cars the more they actually become compromised at one thing or another.

For what it's worth, my feeling is that the outright SUV powerhouses like the Stelvio, GLC63G, forthcoming X3M, are a bit OTT, whereas the X3M40, SQ5, GLC43 are a nice blend of pace, grace, space, and everyday usability.

If I really needed 500bhp then I'd want it in a car. But that's just my subjective personal opinion. Or it could just be that I can't afford an X3M!

[225]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I'm in the middle of my own debate around whether a sporty SUV fits the bill to replace the 335d next year, and depending on the day and my mood am totally up for getting one, then the next day I'm thinking that a well sorted car is always going to be better for driving enjoyment.

I just found it odd to make a comment about the Stelio being better than the M4 when the Stelvio has a ready made car alternative stablemate in the Gulia.

All the recent reviews I've read say the Gulia knows the spots off the Stelvio for ultimate driving thrills, not just on the track but on a spirited drive on the road too.

That's not to say that the Stelvio isn't very impressive, but it's impressive for a SUV.

The fact is everyone's got their own list of needs and wants for their car and any car is going to be a basket of compromises to some extent, and the more we ask of our cars the more they actually become compromised at one thing or another.

For what it's worth, my feeling is that the outright SUV powerhouses like the Stelvio, GLC63G, forthcoming X3M, are a bit OTT, whereas the X3M40, SQ5, GLC43 are a nice blend of pace, grace, space, and everyday usability.

If I really needed 500bhp then I'd want it in a car. But that's just my subjective personal opinion. Or it could just be that I can't afford an X3M!

I'm in the same frame of mind. I never thought I'd say it but I find myself quite liking the new x3m40i.
Both the alfas are lovely looking machines and I'd love the 500bhp 4x4 version. I have been pricing these up of late (non 500bhp version!) and the problem is the next one down is 280bhp which is too big a drop from the 340. They need a version with a de tuned 6pot in with about 380bhp.

When I come to replace the 340 the usual suspects of s4, c43 and maybe new m340 if they do it in a touring will be there. However I'd also be looking at x3m40i sq5 etc as well. Of course I'd love a full fat amg or rs4 but I think they will be a bit out of range price wise.

[ciscopete822]

Originally Posted by Incontinentia Buttocks

A diesel?

😂


😂 😂

Lobb man , diesel is the best! Especially for spirited driving

[JustChris]

Fun Fact - Stelvio 2.0T (base model not even the Qutrothingio)

Carbon Fibre Drive Shaft


Went to check one out at lunchtime in the flesh, very very nice. Steering wheel and paddle shifters are beautiful. Great package.

[Watsey]

Originally Posted by chris-c

They have this in one of the upcoming episodes of Top Gear.

It was against a RR Velar and a Volvo XC90. The Stelvio was excellent against the competition. Properly quick and rather decent off road. It took a proper beating too. Big jumps and other stuff. I preferred the looks of the Volvo but the Stelvio was shockingly good

Did you see the 3-way test of the Stelvio, Vulgar (sorry, Velar) and Macan on GT ? Stelvio went very well, but the steering is apparently way too sharp for the chassis. Just Clarkson's opinion, but if the steering rack is the same as used in the Giulia I can see know the criticism could be justified.

[Bryans69]

Originally Posted by 225

I'm in the same frame of mind. I never thought I'd say it but I find myself quite liking the new x3m40i.
Both the alfas are lovely looking machines and I'd love the 500bhp 4x4 version. I have been pricing these up of late (non 500bhp version!) and the problem is the next one down is 280bhp which is too big a drop from the 340. They need a version with a de tuned 6pot in with about 380bhp.

When I come to replace the 340 the usual suspects of s4, c43 and maybe new m340 if they do it in a touring will be there. However I'd also be looking at x3m40i sq5 etc as well. Of course I'd love a full fat amg or rs4 but I think they will be a bit out of range price wise.

Same as myself. Looked at the X3 m40i, but currently back to the S4. Its weird, but objectively the SUV doesn't really offer anything over the estate, other than being more expensive (£10k plus based on current discounts). But there is a certain appeal. I guess that's marketing for you

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Bryans69

Same as myself. Looked at the X3 m40i, but currently back to the S4. Its weird, but objectively the SUV doesn't really offer anything over the estate, other than being more expensive (£10k plus based on current discounts). But there is a certain appeal. I guess that's marketing for you

It does offer a few things: higher driving position, increased practicality for loading children etc, taller loadspace, off road ability (clearly not mud plugging, but for those of us who do outdoor sports or camping trips then can be handy).

But at the cost of handling prowess and increased fuel consumption.

[JD6]

My xDrive car with winter tyres has been superb this winter, except for about 3 days when there was deeper water on the road than I was comfortable going through - about 30cm.

That is one of the key advantages of an SUV from my perspective. The X3 and X5 can both wade through 50cm. I think most of their rivals can do likewise. It’s only a handful of days per year that I need a decent wading depth, and perhaps they are too compromised in other respects, but it is a factor that could push me in that direction, along with comfort.

[Bryans69]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

It does offer a few things: higher driving position, increased practicality for loading children etc, taller loadspace, off road ability (clearly not mud plugging, but for those of us who do outdoor sports or camping trips then can be handy).

But at the cost of handling prowess and increased fuel consumption.

I guess we get into the standard SUV debate here. Higher driving position isn't really that much higher (I cycle past traffic everyday, and the difference between an estate and a mid size SUV isn't really that much, especially when you are behind a white van). My kids are 4 & 7, get in themselves, so lower is better, boot is taller but smaller floor area, so less useful in my mind, and unless you are camping half way up a mountain, nothing you average family car can't do (I've taken a Boxster 2 years running to supplement Golf boot *******

This is the odd thing about mid sized SUV's. I'm still tempted, even though I know they are more expensive for absolutely no benefit

[Bryans69]

Originally Posted by JD6

My xDrive car with winter tyres has been superb this winter, except for about 3 days when there was deeper water on the road than I was comfortable going through - about 30cm.

That is one of the key advantages of an SUV from my perspective. The X3 and X5 can both wade through 50cm. I think most of their rivals can do likewise. It’s only a handful of days per year that I need a decent wading depth, and perhaps they are too compromised in other respects, but it is a factor that could push me in that direction, along with comfort.

Ah, you've seen the pot holes on our affluent Surrey roads then

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by KCH1984

Classic response.

Yes and that's because if driving enjoyment is a priority an SUV probably wouldn't rank very high in the pecking order; one of things that destroys the dynamics of a car is weight and when you combine that with a relatively high centre of gravity it's not exactly a recipe for driving utopia. Therefore, given SUV's tend to be heavy with a high centre of gravity you can see where Bibbles is coming from!

Now that doesn't mean there aren't good reasons for buying an SUV - there clearly are if you value things like a more commanding driving position, greater ground clearance, etc. However, for normal road use wouldn't anyone keen on driving would buy a Giulia (or an M3 CP!) in preference to a Stelvio?