Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale: our first laps behind the wheel of the new Italian supercar!

More than ten years after the discontinuation of the 8C, Alfa Romeo is making its comeback in the supercar segment with the 33 Stradale, heir to the eponymous sports car produced in only 18 examples between 1967 and 1969. The news will be just as confidential as the one from which it is inspired since only 33 units will be assembled in total, at a rate of two units per month from December 2024. Just a few days after revealing it, the Italian manufacturer invited us in its style center located in Turin (and not in Milan, as one might have imagined since the headquarters of Alfa Romeo is in this other city) so that we can discover it in real life and, better yet, ‘to try. Finally, we will tell you…

For the beauty of the gesture

On site, we were welcomed by none other than the brand’s boss, Jean-Philippe Imparato, who spoke about the genesis of this model. Yes, Alfa Romeo certainly had bigger fish to fry. Last year, the Italian manufacturer only sold 29,870 cars across Europe, a very meager score, you will agree. For volumes, however, he can now count on Tonale, whose beginnings are encouraging. In 2024, there will be a smaller and even more accessible vehicle which should allow it to return to the success of yesteryear. And then, the fact that it now belongs to the Stellantis group allows it to see the bigger picture… and to allow itself a little madness. “We had fun,” he will repeat several times about himself.

Let it be said, if Alfa Romeo “does not need the 33 Stradale to do business”, to use the words of Jean-Philippe Imparato, if it does not carry a message strictly speaking, this model ” brings a lot in terms of brand value. In addition, we will find styling lines present on this concept on the next models in the Alfa Romeo range, and in particular those which will be released in 2025 and 2026, the replacements for the Giulia and Stelvio in this case. The “V” that appears on the hood should be one of these elements, as should the particularly elaborate lighting signature.

First turns of the wheel

We are not going to go over the main stylistic features of this 33 Stradale, this has already been the subject of a previous article. If we moved to Italy, it was above all to get behind the wheel. Important thing to clarify, the vehicle that Alfa Romeo has made available to us is a model. A unique example, eminently fragile which the brand takes great care of (logical, there are no others) and powered by a small electric battery. Don’t be fooled by the exhaust outlets which are very present here, we won’t be able to hear the sweet sound of the original Ferrari 3.0 V6 which the 620 hp thermal variant will have.

Finally, it’s as if we are giving ourselves an idea of ​​the 100% electric version whose characteristics are not yet final but which should reach a power of 750 hp. Not the slightest noise when switching on. It could be the same thing on the production model since Jean-Philippe Imparato does not want artificial sound. If customers ask for it, they will be entitled to it, but his position is not to pretend.

It is impossible to get an idea of ​​either the acceleration or the dynamic behavior of this car over this short driving session as the speed will not exceed 30 km/h. Added to this is the fact that most elements are not up to par, the steering for example. To maneuver the vehicle, you need an iron fist. The only element that we will be able to judge at the end of our short journey is the driving position.

Sitting low to the ground in firm bucket seats but now perfectly in a refined universe made of leather and aluminum, you feel good in this 33 Stradale. You don’t even feel cramped as the glass surfaces are generous and give the full impression of being on board a plane, which was desired by the brand. In short, we can’t wait to get back behind the wheel.

A springboard towards the electrification of the brand

Our conversation with Jean-Philippe Imparato allowed us to know a little more about the customer profile and their wishes. It was rumored that out of the 33 lucky people who will own this car, only 2 had chosen it in electric form, the truth is more complex. In reality, everything can still change between now and the start of production. The world is changing, and 33 Stradale customers know it, which is why some are still hesitant. According to the calculations of the brand’s boss, we should arrive at 80% thermal and 20% electric in the end.

It will be impossible for us to know the exact price of this vehicle. At most we will obtain a range of around a million euros. This 33 Stradale is expensive, much more than the previous Alfa supercar, the 8C. After all, don’t we say that what is rare and expensive. Because yes, the 8C had been sold in a greater number of copies (500 in total).

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