If we talk about the sporty luxury mid-size SUV, the first thing we think of may be the BMW X3, in the BBA three models, BMW's pursuit of sportiness has always been a unique brand portrait. But in addition to bmw X3, in fact, there is a luxury brand medium-sized SUV also has a good sports gene, that is, Alfa Romeo Stelvio, as a medium-sized SUV from the same main sports performance, Alfa Romeo Stelvio is indeed a good choice when buying a luxury medium-sized SUV that pursues sports, in addition to the BMW X3.
Counting the recently released 2021 2.0T 280HP Veloce Ti Racing Edition, the official guidance price of Alfa Romeo Stelvio is 45.68-52.88 million yuan, and the whole series shares the same set of 2.0T power. This price point coincides with the BMW X3's 2.0T high-power xDrive30i model. Today we will compare these two cars and see who brings more driving pleasure as a sports mid-size SUV.
Both are 2.0T+8AT, and Alfa Romeo runs faster
First of all, let's compare the power performance of the two cars, Alfa Romeo Stelvio uses a 2.0T engine with an 8AT transmission from ZF, with a maximum horsepower of 280Ps, a peak torque of 400 N·m, and a zero hundred acceleration time of 5.8s. For a mid-size SUV, such power parameters and acceleration levels are a good result.
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio engine not only uses all-aluminum to reduce the weight of the front, but also brings better explosive power to the vehicle through twin-scroll turbocharging. And under the premise of ensuring engine performance, the timing system provided by BorgWarner also has better durability than ordinary engines.
The matching ZF 8AT gearbox, which can be said to be well-known in the market, has been adjusted more quickly and positively in the hands of Alfa Romeo, who has a deep background in sports car manufacturing and tuning.
The BMW X3 also uses a 2.0T engine with a ZF 8AT transmission power system, the maximum horsepower is 252Ps, the peak torque is 350N·m, and the zero hundred acceleration time is 6.8s. From the perspective of the entire power parameters, the power performance of the BMW X3 seems to be not as good as that of Alfa Romeo Stelvio, at least in the straight line acceleration.
However, the entire power system of BMW X3 is not weak, BMW's 2.0T engine with ZF 8AT transmission of this power combination has been playing "pure fire", although in the power parameters is not as good as Alfa Romeo Stelvio, but in the reliability of the powertrain BMW X3 has a better market base, it is worth saying that compared to Alfa Romeo, bmw X3's set of powertrain in addition to athletic performance, but also take into account the comfort of home, In other words, the power output will be more linear.
So from the perspective of power, or from the perspective of linear acceleration, Alfa Romeo Stelvio does have greater advantages, but the BMW X3 will be more linear in terms of output while taking into account the sport performance, ensuring a certain degree of comfort.
The front and back counterweights are 50:50, why is Alfa Romeo more sporty
If the power parameters determine a car's ability to be in a straight line, the chassis determines its curve performance and where its limits are.
First of all, let's take a look at the chassis performance of Alfa Romeo Stelvio, thanks to the weight control of the all-aluminum engine, the front and rear weight of this car reached the ideal ratio of 50:50, which also brought it better handling, suspension structure, it uses the suspension structure of the front double wishbone rear multi-link, in the suspension design, it takes such as the control arm made of aluminum alloy, double ball spring shock absorbing pillars, etc. to reduce the weight under the spring, which is also to improve the maneuverability of the vehicle when cornering. The suspension structure guarantees sufficient grip and comfort, and according to the official description and what we have observed, its wheels seem to be able to remain perpendicular to the ground in all situations.
As a brand that is longer than sports, BMW X3 also achieves a front and rear counterweight ratio of close to 50:50, and in the suspension structure, BMW X3 adopts a suspension structure with multiple links after the front double quarter ball. Although the structure will be simpler than Alfa Romeo Stelvio, and there is no choice of more lightweight materials, BMW is still very experienced in tuning this suspension structure, which also allows the BMW X3 to have good support when cornering. Compared with Alpha Romeo Stelvio, the SUSPENSION STRUCTURE of BMW X3 may be slightly weaker in terms of sporty performance, but in the durability of the entire structure, BMW X3 has more advantages, its structure is simpler, the material does not pursue more extreme lightweight, but uses some more durable ordinary materials.
In the four-wheel drive structure, Alfa Romeo Stelvio is equipped with a set of full-time four-wheel drive system that focuses on sports, and it is worth mentioning that it is prepared for this four-wheel drive system with a carbon fiber drive shaft that can achieve better weight reduction and transmission efficiency, which is almost "unique" in the same level.
The BMW X3 uses a timely four-wheel drive system that focuses on sports, which performs well, but it will still be inferior to Alfa Romeo Stelvio, but this four-wheel drive system has better fuel economy and is cheaper than The Alfa Romeo Stelvio, which uses carbon fiber drive shafts, is also cheaper.
Compared to Alfa Romeo, the BMW X3 space performance is more suitable for home use
Finally, for the creation of a sense of sporty atmosphere, although in the BBA's medium-sized SUV, BMW X3 is indeed the most sporty model, but on the creation of a sports atmosphere, Alfa Romeo Stelvio will indeed do better, the overall design, compared to the shape of the BMW X3 traditional SUV, Alfa Romeo Stelvio brings a more streamlined body, and in the interior construction, it is more than the BMW X3 from Italy "Sports car fan".
However, in terms of spatial performance, BMW X3 is still better than Alfa Romeo Stelvio, BMW X3 has a length, width and height of 4737 * 1891 * 1689mm, and a wheelbase length of 2864mm, while Alpha Romeo Stelvio has a length, width and height of 4686 * 1903 * 1693mm, and a wheelbase length of 2818mm. In terms of interior space performance, BMW X3 has brought better spatial performance to it in terms of both size data and shape design, and also makes it more suitable for home than Alfa Romeo Stelvio.
summary:
By comparing the Alfa Romeo Stelvio with the BMW X3, it is not difficult to see that if you want to experience a purer driving pleasure, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio will undoubtedly be a better choice, it will perform better in straight lines and corners, and the styling design is more sporty than the BMW X3. But if you want to take into account the family, comfort or the economy of the car, Alfa Romeo Stelvio is not so good a choice, BMW X3 in the premise of ensuring good athletic performance, taking into account the needs and economy of the home, for most consumers, is indeed a more suitable choice. And Alpha Romeo Stelvio, although beautiful, is really impractical and not very easy to feed.