2024 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale

The 2022 Italian Grand Prix was more than just a Formula 1 race; Italian automaker Alfa Romeo used the event to meet with a special group of enthusiasts about its latest project. While the details were kept hushed from the rest of the world until now, that meeting sold out all the cars the brand was planning on producing. The car in question is Alfa Romeo's new street-legal supercar, the 2024 33 Stradale. With exquisite looks and two powertrain options that unleash either 612 horsepower from a twin-turbo V6 or 740 hp from an electric setup, the new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale was inspired by the Tipo 33 race car from the late 60s. And while it comes with the latest tech under the hood, it's also a throwback to the driver engagement and simplicity that typified supercars of the past before technology took over. The 33 Stradale is the "future mirroring the past" - and that future looks decidedly rosy.

The first meetings held regarding the 33 Stradale occurred at the Formula 1 race at Monza in September 2022, and shortly after, all 33 of the models planned for production were sold to the hand-picked client base. As for a release date, the first Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale will be delivered in December 2024.

A public debut will occur at the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday, 3 September 2023, at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza.

There's no word on the exact price of the 2024 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, and since all 33 models are already spoken for - and each has been hand-built and highly customized by the owners - it's likely to be vast in scope. Rumors indicate that it will cost around €1.7 million (equivalent to approximately $1.85 million at the time of writing) before taxes, so even if the general public could purchase one, very few would have the means to.

It's hard to find rivals for such a rare automotive work of art, but the expected price places it in the realm of the Ferrari Monza SP1/SP2. These Ferraris aren't even street-legal in the USA due to a lack of a windshield, though. Like the Alfa, the recently unveiled Aston Martin Valour is also a final celebration of combustion power for that brand (at least in terms of V12 engines), looks to past models as design inspiration, and will be rare (only 110 Valours will be made). But other mid-engined supercars to consider include the iconic Porsche 718 Cayman - a true delight, but not considered quite as rare or exotic - or the McLaren 720S with 710 hp. Those who aren't phased by Italian flare can get a home-grown Chevrolet Corvette C8 for a much more affordable MSRP.

One thing you can expect from the iconic Italian marque is the drama and beauty in the design of its products. The new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale coupe is the epitome of the company's 'beauty with purpose' motto, having been designed with a balance of proportions and surface properties in mind.

It's expectedly low slung as a supercar should be, with dramatic butterfly doors and a low, long hood that culminates in an understated grille area. The wide-set, large LED headlights are not just arresting with their unique lighting signature, but the housing is functional as it sits atop air intakes that direct airflow through the wheel arches and along the sides of the car. Large air intakes ahead of the haunches make no bones about the fact that this isn't a touring car, as do the muscular yet curvaceous haunches. This sweeps up the rear.

The tail end is all theatre with distinctive afterburner-style taillights with a 'lidded' look, like fierce eyes glaring at you. There's an X-theme to the rear end with a large diffuser flanked by twin tailpipes at each lower corner.

The 33 Stradale exterior features a large wraparound sunroof that furthers the aircraft theme, creating a cockpit view from inside. A unique design element is that the maximum height is in the middle of the roof, with no active aero bits and pieces on the tail that give it more height.

While aerodynamics have clearly played a role in this design, its simple, elegant beauty isn't tainted by massive spoilers, wings, or fins. 20-inch wheels with staggered-width tires fill the arches, and while we aren't clear on design options, these bronze ones are lovely.

Exterior colors for the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale are likely to be just as varied, considering all 33 models were developed in consultation between the brands 'Bottega' team and each buyer, meaning none will be the same.

Dimensions for the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale show off its supercar intentions. Length comes in at 182.6 inches and it stands just 48.3 inches in height. An axle-lift system is included to help drivers navigate bigger undulations in the road and works at speeds of up to 25 mph to raise the nose by almost two inches.

Other core measurements include a width of 77.4 inches excluding the mirrors (85.5 with mirrors included) and a wheelbase of 106.3 inches.

Curb weights are kept low by the extensive use of carbon fiber and polycarbonate for the rear glass, and the result is that the V6-powered Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale weighs just 3,307 pounds. The BEV version is significantly heavier at around 4,630 lbs.

Some enthusiasts may have been gnawing on their fingernails, considering that the new supercar from Alfa Romeo could be an EV, but regardless of personal opinions, electric is the way forward. The brand knows this, and in its quest to bridge the gap between the past and the future, they've provided two options: a gas engine for the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale in the form of a twin-turbo V6, or a fully electric version.

The 3.0-liter V6 option makes 612 horsepower (620 CV) and uses an eight-speed DCT to send power via an electronic limited-slip differential to the rear wheels. The BEV option makes as much as 740 hp (750 CV). Performance specs are impressive, with the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale dispatching the 0-62 mph sprint in under three seconds. The automaker notes the BEV will be even quicker - possibly by as much as half a second. Top speed is set at 333 km/h for the V6 model - a noteworthy figure, which translates to just under 207 mph. The electric version can reach 310 km/h (193 mph).

With a carbon fiber monocoque and aluminum H-frame to ensure rigidity and lightness, the 2024 33 Stradale is destined to drive as an emotive Italian supercar should. F1 driver Valtteri Bottas was extensively involved in developing the driving feel, underscoring the brand's emphasis on racing heritage for this project.

There are two driving modes for the new Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale supercar, with Strada being the default, comfort-oriented mode that will ensure driving pleasure on the road. This provides mild pedal sensitivity and a compliant suspension. Pista is the track mode, featuring an open exhaust valve option while unleashing peak power with increased pedal sensitivity and firmer suspension settings. Launch control (Fast Start) is standard, and carbon ceramic Brembo brakes will bring the car to a stop from 62 mph in 33 meters (around 108 feet).

The manufacturer tells us that the BEV is engineered with unique sounds that aren't "that different from the V6".

We haven't been given any firm specs for gas mileage, but it's not likely to be an important factor for those who have already bagged one of these. The gas models will have a 15.8-gallon fuel tank, and the BEV model has a targeted range of 450 km on the WLTP cycle (around 280 miles) - this will likely be a lower figure when translated to EPA ratings.

Battery size in the BEV 33 Stradale is a 102-kWh unit (90 kWh usable), and this model utilizes 800V architecture, so rapid charging speeds are expected.

Once again underscored by the philosophy of past-meets-present, the interior of the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is a nod to the iconic car that inspired it. Simplicity is key here, and even the steering wheel is devoid of buttons, dials, and unnecessary technology. The entire cockpit is aviation-inspired, too, with some of the control buttons and dials on the center tunnel and some positioned overhead.

The less-is-more idea is evident inside the 33 Stradale, and while it's beautiful enough, it's also very straightforward with a minimalistic design to promote driver engagement. The automaker has purposefully limited the number of controls and there's no infotainment to speak of. What you do get is a feeling of being wrapped in the car itself, and while the driver has a 3D telescope display ahead of them, there's not much else to distract them.

The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale seats just two occupants, and each of the 33 interiors is likely to be completely different. A team of professionals has been appointed to design and build each unique car in consultation with the buyer; this 'Bottega' will likely consult on all the available interior colors and materials you can have your Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale in. We do know materials like aluminum, carbon fiber, leather, and Alcantara feature heavily inside the cabin.

There is no word on how much cargo space one can expect in the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale. However, these practical aspects are hardly vital for a machine that will likely spend much of its life on display.