Alfa stuns with ICE and BEV powered 33 Stradale

ALFA ROMEO has launched its highly anticipated and ultra-exclusive two-seat supercar at this week’s Italian Formula 1 Grand Prix, the 33 Stradale to be available to just 33 buyers – all are sold.

Built under Alfa Romeo’s fuoriserie (custom-built) program, the curvaceous supercar resurrects the 33 Stradale name that was affixed to arguably one of Alfa Romeo’s most stylish and coveted models from 1967.

It will be offered with a choice of V6 petrol or fully electric powertrains.

Along with the name, the 33’s curvaceous styling exhibits head nods to the original; though it also channels cues from other more recent Alfas. Alfa Romeo says the new car “respectfully celebrates the brand’s history and takes it forward into the future”, but the fact remains it looks every bit 2023 and not so much 1967.

The hand-made 33 Stradale is built at the Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, a bespoke coachbuilding facility in Rho outside of Milan, to high quality standards that “guarantee obsessive attention to detail”.

“Each car is designed to be a unique and unrepeatable work of art, with the ambition to become part of Alfa Romeo history,” said Alfa Romeo in a statement.

The 33 Stradale is intended as much for track driving as for road use delivering what Alfa Romeo says is “outstanding performance on the track, but … with no compromises in terms of comfort and ease of use, including on an everyday basis”.

That point is heavily underlined by both ICE and BEV model’s performance data that is, urm, impressive.

Buyers have been able to specify their 33 Stradales bespoke with an unprecedented level of customization to create almost unique examples of the model. Even the chassis number plaque is engraved with the build technician’s name.

It is a dream car, as Alfa so succinctly puts it, stunning to look at and capable of providing a scintillating driving experience highlighted by sub 3.0 second 0-100km/h sprints for both powertrain variants.

“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,” said Alfa Romeo CEO, Jean-Philippe Imparato.

“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.

“This is the brand's first custom-built car since 1969, and I promise it won't be the last.”

As expected from such a car, the 33 Stradale boasts a super slick interior in a minimalism idiom dedicated to provide the greatest possible engagement and driving experience.

The cockpit was designed with the purpose of minimising components that could distract the driver. However, in a first-of-its-kind interaction, deftly disguised new technology is provided through a 3D “telescope” cluster in front of the driver.

The steering wheel is devoid of all its usual buttons and is for steering alone. Like a plane, controls are located at different levels to prevent confusion and to facilitate quick selection. Two interiors are available in “Tributo” and “Alfa Corse”.

Power comes from either a 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo engine delivering over 460kW or a tri-motor BEV configuration with over 560kW. For some reason, information on the new 33 Stradale places a much greater emphasis on the ICE model rather than the BEV…

The ICE is similar to that under the bonnet of Alfa’s Giulia Quadrifoglio… with the wick turned up. Power goes to the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission on the ICE and direct drive on the BEV.

Without clarifying, Alfa Romeo says the 33 Stradale has a v-max of 333km/h and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in under three seconds. Presumably that is for both powertrain variants…

It rides on a double-arm suspension with active shock absorbers and front axle lift to ensure handling and comfort over bumps. Brakes are the Alfa Romeo brake-by-wire system on Brembo carbon-ceramic rotors and pads.

The unusual chassis configuration utilises an aluminium H-frame and carbon fibre monocoque to guarantee rigidity and lightness. The roof is in carbon fibre and aluminium with hinged butterfly doors while the window frames are also made of carbon fibre with the rear window in polycarbonate.

Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas has been on hand to finely tune details on the 33 Stradale bringing F1 experience into “everyday” driving.

“The 33 Stradale project has come about as a result of the passion and dedication of a small team of designers and engineers at the Alfa Romeo Centro Stile,” said Alfa Romeo head of design, Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos.

“The design is inspired by Franco Scaglione’s masterpiece of 1967, with a bold look to the lines of future Alfa Romeo models.”

“The result is made possible by the expertise and the best tradition of Italian design. A true manifesto of ‘essential beauty’: a limited number of lines, sensual and at the same time powerful capable of arousing desire and strong emotions.”