Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale: A Tribute to the Iconic Tipo 33 Race Car
Deemed as one of the world’s first supercars and a model that was derived from the Tipo 33 sports prototype, the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale of the late 1960s remains a masterpiece of automotive art and engineering that is highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors.
Sadly, only 18 units of the 33 Stradale were built for deserving customers across the globe. However, 56 years later, the Italian manufacturer is reviving the nameplate with the modern 33 Stradale, which is no less lustworthy than its iconic predecessor.
It nods to its name, and with that said, only 33 units of the supercar will be made; unfortunately, you can’t buy one as all were sold out within weeks after the 2022 Italian Formula 1 Grand Prix at Monza on September 11, 2022, for about R40 million each.
To make the 33 Stradale even more special, Alfa Romeo offers a wide range of personalisation options, such as a custom-picked VIN number with eight digits and functional styling elements that the customers have developed, such as air intakes, wheels, and even the distinctive front shield.
With all the personalisation in place, Alfa Romeo says that ‘no two cars will be identical’.
Bridging the gap between the brand’s past and future, the 33 Stradale’s retro-modern styling cue remains gorgeous when viewed from all sides, thanks to its low-slung stance, flowing lines, butterfly doors, and a glass canopy that adds an airy feel to the interior.
Then you get the interior, which is available in two configurations: the Tributo, which pays homage to the classic car, and the Alfa Corse, which focuses on the sportiest expression. The interior features a combination of leather, carbon fibre, aluminium, and Alcantara while also boasting a minimal approach, thanks to fewer buttons and switches for front-axle lift, the launch-control system, and the drive-mode selector.
The new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale comes in two variants: a full EV and an ICE-powered version for those seeking the thrills of hearing an engine note reverberating at the rear. The good thing, though, is that the performance is outstanding in both versions.
Starting with the EV, it comes with an electric powertrain that consists of a 102kWh battery pack, an all-wheel-drive setup, and a range of about 450km. Alfa Romeo says the BEV’s power output will be in the region of 559kW and will accelerate the supercar to 100km/h in under 3 seconds.
The ICE-powered variant, on the other hand, is said to be the brand’s last supercar to have an internal combustion engine, and it gets a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine with over 462kW sent to the rear wheels via the same 8-speed dual-clutch that is present in the MC20.
The Italian carmaker doesn’t share many details about the powertrain but says it’s the evolution of the V6 already fitted to the Italian brand’s highest-performance cars and will allow the supercar to hurtle from 0-100km/h in less than 3 seconds before hitting the top speed of 333km/h.
With up to 559kW of power, the 33 Stradale is a formidable contender in the supercar arena, and it can challenge the likes of the Aston Martin Valour and the McLaren 720S, to name a few.
The stopping power comes courtesy of the brake-by-wire braking system and Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes that consist of 6-piston callipers at the front and 4-pot units at the back.
While Alfa Romeo says that it has worked extensively to reduce the weight of both cars through the use of carbon fibre, it expects the ICE-powered variant to tip the scales at roughly 1,500kg, which will make it 200kg lighter than the MC20. The Turin-based carmaker is targeting a weight of close to 2000kg on the BEV due to the inherently heavy battery packs.
According to Alfa Romeo, the car’s tuning will benefit from the expertise of F1 driver Valtteri Bottas, who will test it on the iconic Balocco track. That said, the 33 Stradale should deliver an exhilarating performance that will leave customers breathless.
The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale pays tribute to a model that forms part of the brand’s significant history, and not only that, it’s the marque’s first custom-built car since 1969. It’s that special.
