Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale - Return from the past

After debuting 56 years ago at the temple of speed, Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Alfa Romeo’s iconic 33 Stradale has made its return from the past to the road. With a flashy Formula One livery to mark the release of this limited-edition coupe, it’s no surprise that all 33 models have already been snapped up by customers. What sets this exclusive car apart from the rest?

The original Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale was one of the world’s first supercars. Derived from the Tipo 33 sports prototype that raced for the Italian marque between 1967 and 1977, and designed by celebrated Italian engineer Franco Scaglione, this incredible machine’s sleek exterior and naturally aspirated 2.0 L V8 engine made it a race car for the road.

Much has changed between 1967 and 2023, and today’s 33 Stradale is more of a spiritual – rather than literal – successor to the original supercar.

Returning to their philosophy of “fuoriserie” custom-built cars, Alfa Romeo offers customers a choice between a V6 twin-turbo engine delivering 620hp or a battery electric vehicle configuration producing over 750 hp. Both powertrains enable the car to reach a top speed of 207 mph and accelerate from 0-62 mph in under three seconds.

With a double-arm suspension featuring active shock absorbers and a front axle lift, the car emphasizes comfort and handling, making it perfect for everyday driving as well as exhilarating days out at the race track. The car’s tuning features input from current Alfa Romeo F1 driver Valtteri Bottas and a team of dedicated engineers, giving it a unique prototype feel that sets it apart from other limited-edition vehicles.

The 33 Stradale is characterized by “necessary beauty”, a design principle which highlights aerodynamic and cooling efficiency without compromising on style. Its powerful front and striking rear echo that of the original 1967 33 Stradale, with air inlets and modern carbon-fiber aerodynamic elements merging seamlessly into the fiberglass bodywork. This lies on top of a carbon-fiber monocoque and aluminum H-frame, both of which have been carefully designed to maximize chassis rigidity and safety.

In keeping with the “fuoriserie” philosophy, many elements of the 33 Stradale’s exterior can be personalized: air intakes, front grilles, carbon fiber finishes, logo locations, and a choice of three exclusive body colors and a tribute Tipo 33 livery.

With a cockpit-like wraparound sunroof that blends into the 33 Stradale’s hinged butterfly doors, drivers and passengers are treated to unique views of the road around them – and an attention-grabbing way to get in and out. It’s safe to say that this car is certainly one for the bold!

Alfa Romeo has placed minimalism at the heart of the 33 Stradale’s interior, with only a limited number of controls present on the center console, a telescope-like instrument cluster, and a sports steering wheel without any additional buttons.

Whilst this may seem like a rather unorthodox choice, the Italian marque deserves credit for going in a different direction to many other automotive manufacturers. The result? An immersive, distraction-free driving experience.

The car’s upholstered seats feature six-way electric controls and four lumbar positions, maximizing comfort whether you’re on the road or at a circuit. Two base trim levels are available on today’s 33 Stradale: the leather and aluminum Tributo and the carbon-fiber and Alcantara Alfa Corse.

Each trim features a range of color options to suit the tastes of any owner. Alfa Romeo’s personalized approach to the design of these limited-edition car is what makes it incredibly special.

While all 33 models of the 33 Stradale have been sold to buyers, expect to see more limited-edition Alfa Romeo models in the future with the same “fuoriserie” custom-build approach.

In the meantime, you can catch the special Stradale tribute liveries on Valtteri Bottas’ and Zhou Guanyu’s Alfa Romeo F1 cars during the 2023 Italian Grand Prix.