Watch as the Stelvio casually hits 115 MPH chasing an American spy plane.
If you’re a car fan and are attending the AirVenture Oshkosh air show this year, pay attention when the U-2 spy plane is on deck, you’ll notice they’re using an Alfa Romeo Stelvio as a chase car.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis unlikely choice came to light when Mindy Lindheim (@Schmiiindy on Instagram) shared her ride along video with U-2 pilot Tricia (Drift) watching as Tricia performed her duties as chase car driver.
Check out her video and an exterior shot from Instagram below.
Ever since the U-2 started flying in the mid-’50s, because the U-2’s landing gear uses a bicycle configuration and a U-2 pilot’s peripheral vision is hampered by a pressurized helmet, another pilot relays altitude and attitude information to the U-2 pilot, all from a fast chase car following close behind.
Typically, U-2 chase cars are powerful, two door American muscle cars like Ford Mustangs, Chevrolet Camaros, and, as of late, Dodge Chargers.
But, when a U-2 team is touring and far from home base, they have to make due with what they can find locally.
That means a rental and is why this U-2 team is using an Italian Stallion instead of something from the home team.
“This was the fastest rental car in the field they could find,” Linheim replied to a comment asking why an Alfa.
There are exceptions, like when U-2 planes had to be based in the United Kingdom. In that cases, the Air Force literally flew over a pair of Dodge Chargers for the task.
Although the Stelvio tips the scale at over 4,000 pounds, it’s got a plenty of power, even in base, rental form.
This one sounds like it has the 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder, good for 280 HP, 295 lb-ft and a blast to 60 MPH in under 5.5 seconds.
As mentioned, the Stelvio took no time at all to hit 115 MPH, making it an ideal chase car given the circumstances.
So, don’t get too upset at our boys and girls in green for choosing something Italian, it’s all they had to work with.
For what it’s worth, the U-2 is scheduled for another performance tomorrow, July 27.
