According to AutoExpress, Fiat Chrysler chief Sergio Marchionne has confirmed that Alfa Romeo’s first SUV will be named Stelvio, but what’s the meaning behind the name?
Most likely, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio is named after the Stelvio pass, a twisty mountain road that’s on the Italian portion of The Alps. Although it passes along near the Swiss border, it actually connects Italy and Austria.
In German it’s known as the Stilfser Joch and in Italian it’s referred to as the Passo dello Stelvio. Regardless, it’s pretty ambitious to Alfa’s first ever SUV after a road that regularly tests the setup of dedicated sports cars.
Stelvio is also the name of a popular Italian cheese and an Italian national park, as well as the first name of film music composer Stelvio Cipriani.
Based on the new rear-wheel drive Alfa Romeo Giulia (above), the Stelvio is expected arrive in showrooms in 2017.
