Mind-blowing Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale unveiled
Alfa's heavily previewed supercar has arrived. It doesn't disappoint...
If there’s one car guaranteed to get the Alfisti weak at the knees, it’s the 1967 33 Stradale. One of the most beautiful Alfas ever made - one of the most beautiful cars, period - it represented both the brand and 60s’ sportscar racing at its peak. Stunning automobiles, epic races and superstar drivers made for an unforgettable period of motorsport. So there was only one car for Alfa to bring back for its first supercar in generations.
This 33 Stradale isn’t a restomod, however - it’s a whole new thing, albeit one steeped very strongly in history. And when the back catalogue looks as it does for Alfa Romeo, why on earth not? It’s the work of a new bespoke department called Bottega, which will be responsible for future small-scale projects as well. Construction will be by Touring Superleggera. This will absolutely not be the last of the spectacular, limited-run Alfa Romeos then...
To the important stuff. The 33 Stradale is a carbon-tubbed, rear-drive supercar with a 620hp 3.0-litre turbo V6 mated to an eight-speed DCT. Which sounds quite a lot like a Maserati MC20, but then there are far worse supercars out there to share vital bits with. It’ll reach 62mph in less than three seconds and 206mph. But that’s not the only engine option, as the 33 customers of the 33 will also be offered an EV version promising 750hp from a not yet fully detailed combination of batteries and motors with an estimated range of 280 miles.
That much was a surprise; indeed the car is described as ‘the ideal link between internal combustion and electric powertrain, achieved by tastefully and respectfully reinterpreting the design of the original car’. What a quandary to face - preserve the old ways with the V6, or embrace the future with outrageous EV performance…
Further indicating this is very much a style and substance supercar from Alfa Romeo are features like Brembo ceramic discs, launch control, a Pista (track) drive mode and lightweight materials including aluminium and polycarbonate in the construction. Alfa says the 33 Stradale is ‘without compromise in terms of comfort and drivability’, which makes it sound a bit soft as far as end-of-era supercars go, but there is also the option of an Alfa Corse spec (alongside Tributo), which sounds quite racy, and the interior is described as ‘an experience of pure driving pleasure’. A steering wheel without buttons is highlighted (bravo, folks), with carbon and Alcantara used throughout.
Not that you’ll want to get in too quick, of course, because that’d mean putting a stop to looking at the 33 Stradale. Quite something, huh? Even with Alfa having not produced anything like this for so long, it’s instantly recognisable as something that ought to have Quadrifoglios on. Those rear lights, for starters, couldn’t have come from anywhere else, and the influence of the original is clear in the ‘complex elliptical-base lighting’. Oh sure, there’s some MC20 in the silhouette but, again, that’s hardly a disastrous supercar to bear a passing resemblance to.
To elevate the Alfa as something a little more special than the Maserati, customers will be heavily involved with the Bottega team to make each of the 33 unique. They will choose ‘functional stylistic elements’ including intakes, wheels and shields; even the chassis number can be chosen by the owner. Alfa is promising ‘obsessive attention to detail’ from Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera. It’ll come as no surprise to learn that all 33 are spoken for, Alfa having first previewed the idea to select clients at last year’s Monza Grand Prix - and had money against all of them within a few weeks. How much money? Well, as much as 3m euros if the early word is to be believed.
“With the new 33 Stradale, we wanted to create something that lived up to our past, to serve the brand and to make the Alfisti fandom proud. Such a result could only have been achieved thanks to the expertise, hard work and passion of our team, with the support of management who have the clear ambition to contribute to writing chapters in the brand's future, in full respect of its unique history,” said Jean-Philippe Imparato, Alfa CEO. “This is the brand's first fuoriserie (custom-built) car since 1969, and I promise it won't be the last.” Wonder what they might resurrect next…
I’m also struggling to not see a scowling owl in the rear shots at the moment.
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