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Alfa Romeo Stelvio to get a new rear-drive base version

Good news for those who want an Alfa Romeo Stelvio but do not have the need for all-wheel drive: Alfa is reportedly introducing a cheaper, solely rear-drive version. It will still have plenty of power. Car & Driver is reporting that there will be a new, rear-wheel-drive base Stelvio for 2019, one that undercuts the current cheapest Q4 model by $2,000. That would mean a starting price of $41,440. However, the gap will widen slightly as the all-wheel-drive cars will see a price bump for 2019. The base model's only engine option will be the four-cylinder turbo, offering 280 horsepower and 306 lb-ft of torque. The transmission is the eight-speed automatic. C&D also says that the RWD versions will be kitted out more cheaply than AWD models, as a posher Ti version will always come standard with AWD. The new base models are likely to bear Q2 badging to differentiate them from the "quattro per quattro" Q4 models. And, if you're still willng to add a little something to the RWD Stelvio, there will be an available Sport package that offers 19-inch wheels and performance-oriented accessories such as aluminum pedals, painted brake calipers, paddle shifters and more. This does almost negate the price difference between the 2018 and 2019 base models, as it is said to cost $1,800.

Alfa Romeo Giulia, Stelvio Quadrifoglio NRING Editions come with scale models and jackets

Alfa Romeo's Quadrifoglio models, both the Giulia and Stelvio, have set some quick laps at the Nurburgring. The latter holds the SUV record, while the former was recently dethroned by the Jaguar XE Project 8. To celebrate, the company has created the NRING Edition for the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio. In typical special edition tradition, it features a unique color, a matte, metallic gray, and a few other other basic upgrades, plus numbering for all 108 examples of each model. But the really special parts of these vehicles aren't actually part of the vehicles, but rather they're bonus accessories and experiences. Each car comes with a "welcome kit." It includes Sparco racing gloves, an Alfa Romeo jacket, cufflinks, shoes and a bag in which to carry everything. The last car we remember coming with its own jacket is the Mercury Marauder. On top of that, each car comes with its own 1:18 scale model. Once you've found a place for your model and are ready with your Alfa gear, you can head to Germany to participate a driving school course at the Nurburgring with your NRING Edition car. All of this makes a somewhat average special edition car something far more exciting, and as such we're not surprised it won't be available in America. All 216 cars will be sold in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. But hey, if you're a wealthy car enthusiast who has been looking at Alfas, one of these could be the way to go. Related Video:

Alfa Romeo Giulia is going electric

In an interview with Auto Express, Alfa Romeo's CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato revealed a bunch of details about the future of the company and electric vehicles. But the most interesting is that, despite the world's insatiable appetite for SUVs, the Giulia sport sedan will get another generation, and one that's entirely electric. Apparently, the car will be built on the STLA Large platform, one of several EV architectures Stellantis announced back July. Considering that there will be STLA Small and STLA Medium platforms, we're a little surprised that Alfa would go with the big option, since the current Giulia isn't particularly big. It could be that Alfa is aiming for particularly long range from the next Giulia, and maybe even more interior space. We bring up range because the Large platform is said to accept 101-kWh to 118-kWh of battery capacity and up to 500 miles of range. It may also be sharing the platform and development with the future Stelvio, like the current one does with the Giorgio platform. Imparato also talked a bit about the high-performance Quadrifoglio models. The company is definitely still open to them in the electric era, but only if they can make them perform the way they want. That seems unlikely to be an issue for a couple of reasons. One, Imparato told Auto Express that the man who helped develop the Giulia Quadrifoglio GTA is on the team developing STLA Large. The other is that Stellantis has a wild range of motors planned. At the low end will be 94-horsepower motors, but at the other will be 402-horsepower units. There should be a pairing in there that finds a good balance between raw power and finesse, especially when just one makes around 80% of the power of the current Quadrifoglio's twin-turbo V6. Stellantis aims to have its 500-mile STLA Large platform cars, among the others, ready for 2024. Odds seem good that the electric Alfas will start showing up at that time, since the brand is planning to be fully electric in 2027. That will make it the first Stellantis brand to be entirely electric. Related Video: 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid powertrain feature walkthrough | Autoblog