Tag Archives: stelvio
Next-Gen Jeep Grand Cherokee Will Be Based On Alfa Romeo Stelvio Platform
The Jeep Grand Cherokee, together with the Dodge Durango, has been using a premium platform gifted by Daimler since 2011. But that’s about to change now as the next-generation Grand Cherokee will underpin the same platform used on the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.
This was confirmed by company CEO Sergio Marchionne during the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles investor conference in Italy last week. Marchionne confirmed reports that the Grand Cherokee is using the same platform used by the Stelvio and the Giulia sedan.
The original architecture has been modified and extended to accommodate both the two-row and the three-row Grand Cherokee, Marchionne said. The Jeep plans to release both five-seater and seven-seater for the new iteration of the Grand Cherokee. But more than that, the company CEO also revealed that Jeep is planning to come up with a three-row E-segment mid-sized SUV by 2022. That vehicle might be called the Grand Cherokee as well, though we’re not exactly sure where it will sit in the lineup.
Based on the company’s plans, the new Grand Cherokee will be the first vehicle in the lineup to have Level 2 self-driving capability. That means it will be able to brake, accelerate, steer, and change lanes on long highway drives, similar to what the Cadillac Super Cruise system can do. That semi-autonomous driving capability may arrive in 2020, though a Level 3 self-driving technology is slated to appear sometimes by the end of 2021.
There is no specific timeline yet for the next-generation Grand Cherokee, though the work on the new platform has already started. That means that the new vehicle might arrive by 2019 or 2020 at the latest, which is at the end of Jeep’s ambitious five-year plan.
The self-driving technologies might appear on this next-generation vehicle. At least, that’s what makes sense to us. It’s going to either be a 2020 or 2021 model.
Alfa Romeo To Add Full-Sized And Crossover SUVs In 2022 Lineup
Given the growth of the crossover’s popularity, it’s pretty interesting to know that Alfa Romeo only has one crossover in its lineup, the Stelvio. That is about to change as the company revealed it will get two new SUVs—a crossover and a full-sized, three-row SUV—in 2022. That’s four years from now, but let’s hope that the automaker will fulfill its promise of two additional SUVs.
During the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ capital-markets day in Italy, Alfa Romeo announced that in the next four years, investors and fans of the brand should be ready for the brand-new SUVs.
The subcompact SUV crossover will be in competition with the Audi Q3, BMW X1, and Mercedes-Benz GLA Class. The three-row SUV will try to take a chunk out of the market dominated by the Audi Q7, BMW X5, and Mercedes-Benz GLE Class. Alfa Romeo’s Stelvio, on the other hand, is in direct competition with Mercedes GLC Class, BMW X3, and Audi Q5.
There are no details yet about these two new SUVs for 2022, but we can expect the full-sized SUV to use the rear-wheel-drive-based architecture of the platform currently used on the Giulia and the Stelvio. There will also be a hybrid powertrain seeing as this is a segment that Alfa Romeo is keen to enter.
The smaller crossover will use a front-drive layout that will be more space efficient considering that most crossovers could only fit in five people max. The platform is going to be shared with the upcoming Giulietta compact car.
In the past, there have been problems about Alfa Romeo’s ability to meet its deadline (sounds familiar, Tesla?), and this ambitious new project could meet some surprises and challenges along the way, too. Alfa Romeo is working to reenter the US market, and this could be the trigger that would reopen the door. There’s going to be a new GTV and 8C sports car, too.
Top 3 Features of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio
It is a cross between a sports car and an SUV. Well, at least that’s what they say about the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is one of the hot attractions right now at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. Here are its key features based on a report:
1. Engine
The new Alfa Romeo Stelvio is offered in two engine trims. The first is a petrol-fed 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It produces 280 hp and 306 lb-ft of torque. All that power is distributed to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
The output allows the Stelvio to accelerate from zero to 62 mph in just 5.7 seconds. The top speed of the auto is at 144 mph. The video at the bottom of this article highlights the petrol model of the vehicle.
The diesel model of the vehicle houses a 2.2-liter four cylinder engine. Not much was said yet about this particular unit but we will surely follow up on this one once more information is available.
2. Design
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio carries many styling elements found in the Giulia like its body lines, rounded nose and front grille. However, the similarities between the two end from the B-pillar portion to the rear where SUV factors already come into play. Of course, the Stelvio is higher and bulkier than the Giula because of its crossover form.
3. Competition
The Stelvio is Alfa Romeo’s new fighter in the SUV coupe segment of the market. The vehicle is the brand’s challenger to the Porsche Macan, Jaguar F-Pace and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe.
Photos
Check out the official photos of the new Alfa Romeo Stelvio at the 87th annual Geneva International Motor Show in the gallery below:
Video
Press play in the video below to watch the Alfa Romeo Stelvio as it is driven in the Italian Alps: