2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti Sport Rwd on 2040-cars

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Alfa Romeo Stelvio goes on sale this summer for $42,990

The wait is nearly over for the most practical Alfa Romeo yet. The mainstream versions of the new Stelvio crossover SUV go on sale this summer, with pricing and availability for the 505-horsepower Quadrifoglio coming later. The entry-level Stelvio will start at $42,990, and the higher-trim Ti will go for $44,990. This pricing, which includes destination charges, is nearly identical to key competitors in the small luxury crossover segment. The Jaguar F-Pace starts at just $70 more with a base price of $43,060. The BMW X3 starts a bit lower than both at $41,045. Each of those entry-level crossovers makes less power than the Stelvio, though. The Jaguar makes 247 horsepower, and the BMW makes 240. The Stelvio's turbo four-cylinder makes 280 horsepower and 306 pound-feet of torque. And unlike the BMW, the Alfa comes with standard all-wheel drive. Along with the standard eight-speed automatic, the Stelvio is capable of getting to 60 mph in an estimated 5.4 seconds on the way to a 144 mph top speed. Aside from the potent four-cylinder, Stelvios come standard with leather seats, keyless entry and starting, rearview camera, 7-inch infotainment display, and 18-inch wheels. Spending the extra $2,000 for the Ti trim level will add 19-inch wheels, real wood trim, an 8.8-inch infotainment screen, and heated seats and steering wheel. Sport packages are available on both the base model and Ti. Each package includes sportier suspension, a different steering wheel, black window trim and roof rails, and aluminum pedals and paddle shifters. On the base Stelvio, the package only costs $1,800 and also adds 19-inch wheels. On the Ti, the package costs $2,500, but includes 20-inch wheels and 12-way power sport seats. The Ti also offers a Lusso package for $2,500 that comes with 19-inch wheels, 12-way power seats with nicer leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped dashboard, and a "luxury" steering wheel. Related Video:

Stellantis tells UK: Change Brexit deal or watch car plants close

LONDON - British car plants will close with the loss of thousands of jobs unless the Brexit deal is swiftly renegotiated, Stellantis has told the UK parliament, the latest in a series of warnings from the industry since the country left the European Union. The world's No. 3 carmaker by sales and owner of 14 brands including Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat said that under the current deal it would face tariffs when exporting electric vans to Europe from next year, when tougher post-Brexit rules come into force. "If the cost of EV (electric vehicle) manufacturing in the UK becomes uncompetitive and unsustainable, operations will close," Stellantis said in a submission to a House of Commons committee examining the prospects for Britain's EV industry. Stellantis urged the government to reach an agreement with the European Union about extending the current rules on the sourcing of parts until 2027 instead of the planned 2024 change. In response, a government spokesperson said the business secretary had raised the issue with the EU. "Watch this space, because we are very focused on making sure that the UK gets EV and manufacturing capacity," Britain's finance minister Jeremy Hunt said on Wednesday at a British Chambers of Commerce event. The potentially existential problem facing Britain's car industry is closely tied to the shift to EVs. Under the trade deal agreed when Britain left the bloc, 45% of the value of an EV being sold in the European Union must come from Britain or the EU from 2024 to avoid tariffs. The problem is that a battery pack can account for up to half a new EV's cost. Batteries are also heavy and expensive to move long distances. Experts have been warning since Britain left the EU at the end of 2020 that the country would need a number of EV battery gigafactories or potentially lose a hefty chunk of its car industry. Only Japan's Nissan has a small EV battery plant in Sunderland, with a second one on the way. Cost of failure Britishvolt, a startup which received UK government support for an ambitious 3.8 billion pound ($4.80 billion) battery plant at a site in northern England, filed for administration in January after struggling to raise funds. The company was then bought by Australia's Recharge Industries, which has yet to unveil plans for the site.

2024 Alfa Romeo Tributo Italiano Editions celebrate the obvious

For the first time, Alfa Romeo has a special edition meant for worldwide consumption. The Tributo Italian Edition — a "tribute to the brand's origins, Italian excellence and sportiness" — was designed for the Stelvio, Giulia, and Tonale. The upgraded spec shared among all three models includes two-tone exteriors, a black roof paired with one of three available colors: Rosso Alfa, Verde Montreal, and Bianco Alfa. Those are the colors of the Italian flag, naturally, which also appear on the black mirror caps. All ride on Alfa's adaptive suspension, come with all-wheel drive, and fit a smattering of the company's driver assistance and convenience features. Inside buyers get dual-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled perforated black leather seats with red accents and stitching, logoed headrests, premium audio, and ambient lighting.  Specific kit for the Tonale begins with the Dark Miron accents outside, like in the grille "V' insert, on the skid plate, and accents along the side. A special bodykit adds redrawn front and rear bumpers, side skirts, and wheel arches. The Tributo Italiano specials sitting just below available Quadrifoglio trims, the generous equipment level means the Tonale's 285-horsepower plug-in hybrid powertrain, red Brembo calipers behind 20-inch wheels, adaptive full-LED matrix headlights, hands-free electric tailgate, aluminum tread plates, and chrome-plated twin tailpipes. The cabin is spiffed up with a fancy "carbon design" insert. A sunroof is optional. The Stelvio and Giulia Tributo Italiano editions are both powered by the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 280 hp, the most powerful option beneath the Quadrifoglio's 2.9-liter. The Stelvio rides on 21-inch wheels, the Giulia on 19-inchers, the largest size available for the sedan.  The limited editions are coming to dealers in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2024. Alfa didn't mention production numbers nor price, but did say the Italian-themed cars will slot at the top of their respective 2.0-liter lineups. We'd guess an MSRP in the mid-50s for the Tonale, the upper 50s or low 60s for the Gilulia, and the low to mid-60s for the Stelvio. Related Video