A new Stelvio is scheduled to be launched towards the very end of this year and will continue to be Alfa Romeo’s range-topping SUV. As the old model quietly disappears from the dealer forecourts, I had chance to bid the current car farewell with one last extended drive. And I did so in style with the Quadrifoglio, the performance model and a rather special car.

A quick look at Alfa’s performance figures makes for some interesting reading:
• 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine
• Power – 520hp
• Torque – 600Nm
• 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds
• Top speed – 177mph

The 2.9-litre Bi-Turbo engine is mated to a specially calibrated eight-speed automatic gearbox, capable of shifting gears in just 150 milliseconds in ‘Race’ mode. Bespoke one-piece aluminium shifters, integrated into the steering column allow ultimate control.

A Q4 all-wheel drive system is fitted. In normal conditions, 100% of the power is fed to the rear axle and as the limit approaches, the Q4 system can transfer up to 50% to the front axle. It works well in practice and gives the car a lovely balance and sure-footed feel. Aiding quick progress is Alfa’s active suspension system.

A free day one sunny Saturday, I set off in the Stelvio with a friend with no particular destination in mind, other than to enjoy a pub lunch and the drive there and back. The fuel tank was brimmed, the indicated range modest to say the least and we were off on to some of the Dales’ finest driving roads.

Once free of urban confines, the Quadrifoglio immediately came alive. The heavy, high-geared steering now made sense, allowing the sizable car to be placed on the road with millimetre precision. The firm suspension now worked its magic, allowing the car to corner at high speed with zero body roll.

It was lovely to feel the kick in the back acceleration, especially when ‘Sport’ mode was engaged. Supercar quick in a straight line, with little need to slow down for tight corners, such was the superb body control.

Glancing down at the speedometer on some familiar roads was a constant surprise, as it was all too easy to stray above the UK speed limit. A pattern emerged – barrel into a corner, a quick dab on the now warm brakes, head for the apex, apply full power and blast off down the next straight. And repeat…

Slower weekend dawdlers were dispatched in an instant and using the paddles to hold on to each gear was an audible delight, with the sound of the delightful V6 engine and race-tuned Akraponic exhaust there to thrill.

Driven with gusto, the trip computer recorded just 17.2mpg. Alfa quotes 23.9mpg for the combined cycle, but even driven gently on a different day, breaking the 20mpg barrier was almost impossible to achieve.

Lunch was had at the mighty fine Lord Crewe Arms in Blanchland, Northumberland, much further afield that had been intended. Empty, challenging roads were the draw, with the chance to repeat after a good alfresco lunch. We did need more petrol though, which came as no surprise.

So, what else can I tell you about this dynamically engaging car? Well, there’s room to carry four or five people in comfort, the boot is large and the kit count high. When I last tested the Stelvio Quadrifoglio the list price was £69,500, so I was a little shocked to see the current headline figure of £95,890 before options. Wow!

Looking back through some old notes, I can tell you that the Stelvio Quadrifoglio’s performance figures are almost identical to that of the Ferrari 488 GTB I drove a year or two back. However, in the real world I suspect the Stelvio would leave the Ferrari for dust, especially on the twisty rural roads that make up much of my everyday driving. The raised driving position affords a better view of the road, and the all-wheel drive system allows all that immense power to be deployed whatever the weather.

Best of all the Stelvio is anonymous enough not to attract too much unwanted attention from the boy racer brigade but is special enough to delight the automotive cognoscenti.

So, there we have it – practical family car one minute, engaging sports car the next, ideal for a quick blast round the Nurburgring. When first in production, the Stelvio Quadrifoglio was the fastest SUV to lap the iconic circuit in a time of 7 minutes and 51.7 seconds. I dare say that has now been beaten, but even so.

Sadly, I don’t have £100,000 for Alfa’s finest and fastest SUV, but there are some to be had in the classifieds. Well, a man can dream.

Fast Facts
• Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
• Price £95,890 (£101,840 with options)
• Montreal Green
• 520hp 2.9-litre V6 Bi-Turbo engine
• Torque 600Nm
• 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds
• Top speed 177mph
• Combined economy 23.9mpg
• Emissions 267g/km CO2