Fiery Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio Tugs at the Strings of the Heart

A Ferrari-bred V6, sharp Italian flair, and a rare dose of emotion—this is the performance SUV that refuses to feel ordinary.

A week full of excitement. Getting the keys to the gorgeous Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio evoked a deep sense of emotion within me. It turned back time.As a kid, my father, Edwin Naidu, always had the latest cars in the metal to review; he too dabbled as a motoring scribe. But the way I used to light up when there was a new delivery—especially if it was from Uncle Athol—was something special. He worked within the VW test fleet and delivered press cars.

A true gentleman, Uncle Athol is a walking legend—kind, gentle, and most importantly, someone with a big heart. I always try to emulate him. Love you, Uncle Athol.But back to the feeling of receiving the red key to the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio. It felt similar to childhood. My heart skipped a beat as I remembered piloting the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio—a gorgeous V6 supercar in a sedan-sized body—and now experiencing it in SUV form.

Why is the Stelvio Quadrifoglio unique?

Engine, Design, And Interior

Its engine, put simply. Every car enthusiast knows it has a Ferrari-bred heart: a 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V6, derived from the California T, minus two cylinders—and what you get is the perfect V6 symphony on wheels. The backfires, the pops, and the bangs from the quad exhaust pipes are simply glorious. As far as writing goes, there’s something about Alfa that truly stirs the soul. Passion-driven, sexy, and unique in its own quirky way.

So naturally, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio looks beautiful. Telephone-design wheels, wide arches, and a sleek silhouette come together with that iconic V-shaped front end, meshed with the Scudetto grille. And of course, the colour—Verde Montreal—just elevates the drama. It’s properly striking. But interior-wise, it’s not going to wow you by any means—unless you’re a true Alfa Romeo petrolhead or car nut. It’s driver-focused.

Sitting inside, you’re greeted by a slim leather-wrapped steering wheel, long metal paddle shifters that are perfect in execution, and a simple layout. The infotainment screen won’t spark much interest—it’s straightforward. Carbon fibre is present throughout: in the centre console, dashboard, and doors. The seats are cushy and hug you like a warm embrace.

But back to the beating heart of this beast. Power-wise, it produces 375 kW and 600 Nm of torque, with a claimed 0–100 km/h sprint of 3.8 seconds. But forget the figures—I found myself chasing the feeling everywhere. I seized every opportunity to be behind the wheel, just to hear that V6 symphony. It was truly heavenly.

“An Alfa Romeo isn’t just built to perform—it’s built to stir your soul.”
— Prashirwin Naidu

Reflections: Behind The Wheel Of The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

A Performance SUV With Real Soul

The Giulia Quadrifoglio was a masterpiece—it was tail-happy and wild. This, on the other hand, felt more planted. You felt less fear, whereas in the Giulia, there was always that edge—one small mistake and things could go south quickly. And the way this performance SUV moves is truly special. It’s fine and precise, the steering inputs are light, and the way it carries its weight is near-perfect. And again, that V6 symphony is like a song you just want to keep on repeat.

But I found myself wanting more—I needed to take this beast on a proper road trip with my better half, Jessyca Primo. So we set off on a short stint from Johannesburg to Middelburg, roughly 170 km out. On the open stretch of road, this beast devoured the tarmac effortlessly. At higher speeds, it felt controlled and completely stable. I vaguely remember the latest hybridised BMW M5 pulling up, almost eager to race. I’ll admit—I kept up initially.

But I wasn’t willing to push things too far. I value both life and the car. Let’s just say the M5 climbed to high speeds and eventually left me behind. I didn’t bother chasing. Instead, I settled into a cruise, enjoyed my music, and soaked in that addictive V6 symphony. Arriving at our stay, the car—and we—were ready for a break. It was a sweet escape: good food, great company, and a machine waiting patiently outside. Still, there’s something deeply addictive about this car.

“That V6 symphony is like a song you just want to keep on repeat.” - Prashirwin Naidu

A Sweet V6 Symphony That’s Truly Addicitive

Sharp Handling, Real Practicality—But It’s Thirsty

I needed more.On the drive back, I found myself eager to experience everything it had to offer. I was already familiar with it from my time in the Giulia QV. However, in the Stelvio QV, there’s more reassurance. Corners feel easier and sharper, and there’s less intimidation. The Giulia had a daring edge—it was intoxicating and rewarding. This, in contrast, feels happier and more approachable. There’s also practicality. It’s ideal for long trips, offers generous space for rear passengers, and has a boot that easily handles everyday needs.

In day-to-day driving, I averaged around 17 L/100 km, though most of that was spirited driving. Switching into Race mode transforms the car—the traction control relaxes, the suspension stiffens, and everything becomes more aggressive. The steering becomes more playful and direct, and despite its size, it remains nimble—of course, always with a degree of caution. It’s truly fun and fast, and despite being an SUV, it feels like an Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio exaggerated in stance.

One thing I truly appreciate is how its personality changes depending on the drive mode. In Race—the most aggressive setting—it feels raw and angry. In the other modes, it becomes more composed and usable in all conditions. Natural is smooth and easy, Dynamic adds excitement, but Race is where it truly comes alive.The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio isn’t just another fast SUV—it’s an experience. It reminds you why you fell in love with cars in the first place.

Built for Feeling, Not Just Figures

Emotion Over Perfection

It’s not about chasing perfection or ticking every box; it’s about emotion, character, and the connection between driver and car. Yes, it has its flaws. The interior tech isn’t class-leading, and it won’t be the most sensible choice in its segment; depreciation is also a factor, and reliability is another topic altogether. But that’s not the point of this car. The moment you fire up that Ferrari-bred V6 and hear it come to life, none of that really matters. It’s in essence imperfectly perfect, and what the Stelvio Quadrifoglio delivers—something many modern performance cars have lost—is soul.