Alfa Romeo is one of those manufacturers that exemplifies the ideals of design and performance mixed in perfect union. They also have the pedigree to back it up, being one of the original teams in the inaugural Formula One season in 1950, being regulars at the Mille Miglia and the Targa Florio, as well as racing for many years at Le Mans in the Group 6 prototype sports car class.
The original 1967 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale. Only 18 were ever produced. Image from Alfa Romeo MediaEach of those motorsports and events bore forth now-legendary designs. The achingly beautiful 1950 Alfa Romeo 158 Alfetta F1 car, perhaps the best looking car on the grid that year. The stunning 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900MM that won the Mille Miglia that year with poise and style. The 1967 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Group 6 Prototype, a low, long and sleek shape that managed to even impress one grumpy old Italian named Enzo Ferrari.
One of the best looking rear views of pretty much any car. Image from Alfa Romeo MediaIt is from that last car that the original 1967 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 Stradale (which translates literally to “road”) was borne, with only 18 highly collectible units were produced. Running a 2.0L V8 in the middle mated to a 6 speed manual, they were shockingly fast for the era they were produced, with 230 HP and able to sprint to 60 MPH in just over 5 seconds… in the 1960s!
It is with this in mind that Alfa Romeo has decided to restart their fuoriseri (custom-built) department with the announcement of the 2024 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale supercar. It is not, however, designed to compete with the likes of Ferrari or Lamborghini in a game of top trumps, who has the fastest or who has the most powerful. No, the intention of the new 33 Stradale is much more in line with Alfa’s own history as both a manufacturer and coachbuilder.
There is just something about an Alfa Romeo that makes you want to keep looking at it, to find a new curve or angle that accentuates its beauty even more. Image from Alfa Romeo MediaLimited to just 33 units, all of which have already been sold to specially selected and invited clients that were guests of Alfa Romeo at the 2022 Italian Formula One Grand Prix at Monza, it is the rebirth of Alfa Romeo’s fuoriseri (“custom series”) department. Residing at the newly opened Bottega (“boutique”) at the Sala del Consiglio at the Alfa Romeo Museum in Arese, this department comprises of the best engineers, artists, designers, and brand historians, all available to any client wishing to have a custom car made.
Just as good as the rear view from the original 33 Stradale! Image from Alfa Romeo MediaIn fact, the only thing that will be same between any of the 2024 33 Stradale units produced will the be shape. There are two engines to choose from. There are two styles of interiors, one harkening back to the 60s called Tributo and one futuristic race concept called Alfa Corse. The car will have butterfly doors. Absolutely everything else about each 33 Stradale will be bespoke to each client.
Each client can customize the materials, patterns, have custom embroidery and stitching done… pretty much whatever the client wants, if it’s doable, it’s done. Image via Alfa Romeo MediaThe aluminum H-frame and the carbon fiber monocoque are the only things that will be built by Alfa Romeo directly. The body, with whatever customizations the client wants done, will be coachbuilt by Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, who have been Alfa’s partners for almost a century.
The only bit that Alfa will manufacture themselves is the carbon fiber monocoque and the aluminum H-frame. Everything else will be coachbuilt. Image from Alfa Romeo MediaTalking about the two engine choices, the first is the 2.9L Twin-Turbo V6 that comes from the Giulia Quadrifoglio, although it has been tweaked and tuned to produce a monstrous 620 HP and 443 lbs-ft of torque, with the power transferred to the road via a ZF 8-speed transaxle, only powering the rear wheels. The other engine option is, well, not really an engine at all.
Looks just as good from straight above. Image from Alfa Romeo MediaA battery pack is placed where the engine would sit, meaning that, yes, the 2024 33 Stradale is Alfa’s first fully electric supercar, if the customer so chooses. The EV version uses a motor for each front wheel, with an axle drive motor out back. Combined, they produce 750 HP and a tarmac-ripping 996 lbs-ft of torque. It will be capable of Level 3 supercharging, and has an estimated range in Turismo (Touring) mode of approximately 280 miles (450 km).
No matter what engine the client selects, the new 33 Stradale with absolutely catapult itself down the road to 60 MPH from a standstill in less than 3 seconds. Top speed is listed as 207 MPH (333 KPH), and to haul it down from that speed, bespoke carbon ceramic brakes and rotors by Brembo will operate via a brake by wire setup. In the EV version, the rear motor will also act as a kinetic capture brake, recharging the battery as the car slows.
Big carbon ceramic brakes by Brembo provide serious stopping power. Image from Alfa Romeo MediaHandling-wise, the 33 Stradale uses double-arm at all four corners, with active dampers that can change stiffness based on driving mode selected. There is also a full front-axle lift system so that the beautiful body doesn’t scrape on driveways or speed bumps. Standard wheels are at 20 inches, but as with everything, the client can select the design of the wheels, even a custom pattern if they so decide.
Just a stunning looking supercar… Image from Alfa Romeo MediaIn case any client was worrying if the car was more show than go, Alfa Romeo F1 driver Valtteri Botas has been involved as test driver for the Pista (track) and Corse (race) modes, and much like Ayrton Senna with Honda and the NSX, he’s been providing input and feedback to dial the handling in perfectly.
Valtteri Bottas with the 33 Stradale at its launch event. Image from @ValterriBottas on Twitter/XThere is no pricing information available anywhere, as each car is quite literally a custom car, but rumors have the base price starting at nearly $1 million. The cars will be so custom, in fact, that the last thing that Alfa Romeo had each client do was customize their VIN numbers, so that it was their VIN number that will never be used again for any car manufactured by them.
The center console if the client selects the Tributo interior package, wonderfully retro-modern, almost steampunk in its design. Image from Alfa Romeo MediaNow that, ladies and gentlemen, is custom.
