• Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio aims to be the fastest SUV in its class
• 2.9-litre V6 Bi-Turbo petrol engine generates 510bhp and 600Nm torque
• Zero to 60mph in 3.8 seconds, top speed of 176mph
• Q4 all-wheel drive system as standard
• Alfa Connect 8.8-inch infotainment system with 3D Navigation and smartphone connectivity

WHAT do you do if you want the spacious practicality of a compact SUV but aren’t prepared to give up the powerful performance of your premium saloon or coupe? Simple. You drive the new Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

The Stelvio is Alfa’s first foray into the SUV market, and this Quadrifoglio version is specifically designed to uproot the goalposts, pop them into its’ spacious boot, and drive them to a playing field somewhere in Australia. That’s how much of a benchmark Alfa expects this car will be.

For a start this particular Stelvio uses the same 2.9-litre V6 engine as the Giulia Quadrifoglio, and it’s utterly glorious. As you would expect from Ferrari.

Alfa say it was “developed with inputs and engineering know-how from Ferrari technologies”. Really? Alfa Romeo is owned by FIAT, FIAT is owned by the Agnelli family who also control Ferrari. The 510bhp engine is basically the same as the V8 in the Ferrari California – minus two cylinders of course. A stylish SUV with a Ferrari engine should be celebrated, loudly.

In the Stelvio Quadrifoglio that glorious engine is bolted to a specifically calibrated eight-speed automatic transmission that can shift gear in just 150milliseconds, accelerate to 60mph in just 3.8 seconds, and carry on to a mind blowing 176mph. This is a seriously quick car.

It’s likely it will also expensive to run but Alfa has tried to limit the costs with an electronically controlled cylinder deactivation system and the “sailing” function, available in the Advanced Efficiency mode. Full details haven’t been released yet but this clever technology could makes the Stelvio Quadrifoglio surprisingly efficient given the amount of power it generates. Clearly not all company car drivers will be tempted but for those who are the rewards may not carry as large a price as you think.

This car is mainly about the driving experience, and to reflect its powerful nature the new Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio also gets a few styling tweaks befitting of a range-topping model.

Bonnet vents, intercooler air vents at the side, a sporty side-skirt, massive body coloured wheel arches, and the four exhaust tips should do the trick. According to Alfa the style and design are not merely aesthetic considerations but also support crucial factors including aerodynamics, speed, power and handling. All you really need to know is that it looks fantastic.

The interior of the Stelvio Quadrifoglio has been tailored like a bespoke Italian suit. Painstaking craftsmanship and premium materials including carbon fibre, leather and Alcantara are the order of the day. The centre of the dashboard is dominated by the new 8.8-inch Alfa Connect infotainment system with 3D navigation. It also incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity so business users can hurtle around the country safely.

The new Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio will arrive in the UK in summer 2018 so if your current business lease or company car is up for renewal next year bear it in mind. If you need further encouragement just picture the jealous looks in the office car park. Not that you should need any encouraging.