Alfa Romeo also knows how to make 4X4s!

Alfa Romeo has combined sportiness and all-wheel drive for decades thanks to its long tradition of four-wheel drive.

While the collective imagination readily associates Alfa Romeo with the brilliance of propulsion and the lyricism of internal combustion engines, the Milanese manufacturer cultivates another expertise, more discreet yet equally vital: all-wheel drive. Far from being a simple safety addition, the Q4 system celebrates 75 years of evolution today, proving that enhanced traction can serve the pleasure of driving as much as safety.

Alfa Romeo’s 4×4 adventure is not a recent development. It traces back to 1951 with the 1900M “Matta,” a rugged reconnaissance vehicle that laid the groundwork for off-road traction. However, it was in the 80s and 90s that the brand with the Biscione logo made a strategic shift.

From the “Matta” to the DTM circuits

From the Alfa 33 4×4 to the formidable 155 Q4 – victorious in DTM and Superturismo –, all-wheel drive has become a tool for pure performance. This historical legitimacy is reflected today in the numbers: by 2025, 26% of the brand’s global sales will bear the Q4 badge, a rate that climbs to 90% on the Stelvio SUV.

Today, the Q4 technology relies on two distinct architectures depending on the platform:

• The mechanical architecture (Giulia and Stelvio): True to its sporty DNA, the system prioritizes propulsion under normal conditions. With an active transfer case (ATC), torque is delivered to the front axle in a predictive manner. The goal? To maintain the agility of a sports sedan while ensuring flawless traction on snow or slippery surfaces.

• The hybrid innovation (Junior and Tonale): Here, there is no physical connection between the axles. An electric motor dedicated to the rear axle ensures the 4×4 function. This lighter and more responsive solution allows for instant power management, as seen in the new Junior Ibrida Q4, capable of maintaining its traction even when the battery is low.

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Whether it’s the Tonale Plug-In Hybrid or the beastly 520-horsepower Stelvio Quadrifoglio, the philosophy remains the same: technology should be forgotten in favor of the driving experience. In 2026, Alfa Romeo demonstrates that 4×4 is no longer a weight constraint, but a natural and still underutilized extension of performance.

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