Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2.0 280 Q4 AWD Milano Edizione 2017 first drive

Until the 503bhp Quadrifoglio version arrives next year, this 276bhp turbocharged petrol four-pot is the range-topping Alfa Romeo Stelvio. Having sampled it on the smooth surfaces of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ Balocco test track in Italy, we’re driving it for the first time in the UK. Built alongside Alfa Romeo’s twin-turbo V6 at the Termoli plant, the all-aluminium 2.0-litre engine is familiar from the Giulia Veloce saloon and is also available in 197bhp tune.

As with all Alfa Romeo Stelvios, there’s an eight-speed torque converter from ZF and a carbonfibre prop shaft, while drive is shared between the axles by a multi-plate clutch that’s also common across the range apart from the rear-drive 2.2-litre 178bhp diesel that props up the price list. All the engine’s 295lb ft is channelled to the rear by default, but up to half can be sent forward if conditions dictate.

Our test car comes in limited-run Milano Edizione trim – a plush, top-dollar launch specification that’s only available with this engine and the 207bhp diesel. Highlights include 20in alloys, leather sports seats that are both heated and electrically adjustable up front, parking sensors at both ends, reversing camera, heated steering wheel, enormous aluminium shift paddles and sat-nav, plus the likes of power tailgate, hill-descent control and Alfa’s DNA drive selector that feature on all Stelvios.

There’s lots to like about this engine and it makes a fine match for the athletically inclined Alfa Romeo Stelvio. It’s a relatively subdued and obedient partner during gentler sorties, the auto ’box helping it mosey through urban shuffles and easy A-road canters promptly but without undue fuss with the DNA selector in N, for ‘Natural’ (A, for ‘Advanced Efficiency’, overly retards the drivetrain). It’s suitably quiet when cruising at 70mph, too.

But it really starts to shine when pressed, with robust acceleration available from just over 2000rpm most of the way to the rev limiter at 6000rpm. Turbo lag is perfectly manageable given the engine’s healthy specific output, and while the soundtrack won’t feature on Alfa’s greatest hits LP, it becomes quite racy as revs rise and is firmly an asset more than a liability.

With DNA in D, for ‘Dynamic’, the engine’s full repertoire is unlocked, throttle response improves and the gearshifts become enjoyably brisk, giving a nice little thump on the way up that’s more often seen in cars with a sleeker silhouette. Likewise, hold the left paddle and the ZF trips through downshifts sequentially, hold the right paddle and it upshifts then slips back into auto, or pull both to find neutral for a neighbourly blip of the throttle. Combined with the steering wheel-mounted starter button, these features heighten the sensation that this high-riding five-door is more game than most.