Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cars of all time, the Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 and the road-going version, the 33 Stradale, have inspired Alfa Romeo’s newest supercar. Intended to offer drivers racecar performance on the road, the new-age 33 Stradale is available with either a twin-turbo V6 or an all-electric drivetrain. Both will offer a top speed of 333 km/h and a 0 to 100 km/h time of less than three seconds, Alfa Romeo claims. Details remain scant on the electric model, but it will offer 750 hp and a WLTP range of 450 km.
Meanwhile, the twin-turbo V6 engine will
deliver 620 hp with which the Alfa
shares most of its hardware including chassis components. That power will be
routed to the wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and an
electronic limited-slip differential. One way or another, the 2024 Alfa Romeo
33 Stradale will feature double-arm, active suspension that can lift the front
end to get it over speed bumps. The suspension is attached to an H-frame and
carbon fiber monocoque chassis that promises to deliver lightness and rigidity.
Higher up, a carbon fiber and aluminum
roof help support the classic butterfly doors. To help keep weight as low as
possible, the window frames are made of carbon fiber, and the body panels are
made of polycarbonate. Like the classics it seeks to replicate, the new 33
Stradale will have real motorsports bona fides. It is being developed at Alfa
Romeo’s Balocco Proving Grounds in Italy, with the help of F1 driver Valtteri
Bottas. Two driving modes will ensure that the drivers can actually use the 33
Stradale. The first, Strada (Italian for street), makes the car as comfortable and
smooth as possible, and keeps the exhaust quiet, unless you rev it over 5,000
RPM. In Pista (Track) mode, the exhaust valves open wide to provide drivers
with unadulterated engine sound, the pedals become more sensitive, and the
suspension firms up to prioritize handling over comfort.
At its most aggressive, the 33 Stradale’s
Brembo brake by wire system can get it from 100 km/h to a halt in just 33 meters. On the other end of the spectrum, launch control is
available via the Quadrifoglio button, which is located on the center console.
Unlike in most modern cars, Alfa Romeo has decided not to place the
Quadrifoglio button, nor indeed any other buttons on the steering wheel.
Designed to do nothing but turn the car, the wheel is clean and simple. To find
places for the rest of the necessary buttons, Alfa Romeo leaned heavily on the
center console and, taking inspiration from the aeronautical industry, on the
Alcántara covered roof. It says the dash and central tunnel are also inspired by
airplanes, and it has used aluminum, carbon, and leather throughout the cabin
to give the 33 Stradale a purposeful, aggressive, but still luxurious feel.
Outside, the retro look is shaped to do
more than just look good. The design has been modernized to help it achieve a
coefficient of drag of 0.375 and downforce is provided without the aid of
active aerodynamics. Limited to just 33 examples, the 33 Stradale is available
in Tributo and Alfa Corse trims, or rather was, because they’ve all been
purchased. Buyers were given the opportunity to customize theirs down to the
air intakes with Alfa Romeo’s new customer commissions team, “Bottega,” and
that means that no two examples will be exactly identical
Interestingly, Alfa Romeo clarified that
the availability of the 33 Stradale extended beyond Europe. Some examples were
indeed sold in North America and other regions. However, specific customer
numbers for each region have not been disclosed by the company. Production of
each example will be handled by the coach builders at Carrozzeria Touring
Superleggera. Alfa Romeo told us it isn’t sharing prices with media, but
estimates suggest that each example cost more than US$ 1 million.
