ALFA ROMEO'S new Stelvio Quadrifoglio has just become the fastest SUV around the famous Nurburgring race track in Germany - where many fast road cars are developed by their makers.

The Stelvio's time of 7 minutes 51.7 seconds was set by the fastest version of the Stelvio, powered by a 510 horsepower 2.9 litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine that hurls this big car to 62mph in 3.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 176mph.

The engine was developed with help from Ferrari, like Alfa Romeo, a part of the giant Fiat auto group.

The car uses an all-wheel drive system and a specifically calibrated eight-speed automatic transmission, that shifts gear in just 150milliseconds in Race mode.

The Stelvio Quadrifoglio will optionally be available with carbon ceramic brake discs, offering a weight reduction of 17kg and greater mechanical strength, even at the highest temperatures in both dry and wet conditions.

Quadrifoglio is Italian for four leaved clover and has been used on the company's racing cars and faster versions of its roadgoing vehicles for many years.

The Stelvio Quadrifoglio will arrive in the UK in summer 2018, with pricing and specification to be confirmed nearer the time.