New Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is brand's last combustion supercar

It uses a tri-motor four-wheel-drive set-up similar to that featured in the new Granturismo Folgore from sibling brand Maserati. Like that car, it is also available with a petrol V6.

The Alfa's combustion powerplant is an updated version of the 2.9-litre unit used in the Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglios, albeit bored out and boosted by 131bhp. It drives the rear wheels through an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, with no manual offered.

In petrol guise, the 33 Stradale promises a 0-62mph time of less than three seconds and a top speed of 207mph (a more name-appropriate 333kph). The EV posts a time of "under 2.5 seconds", according to Alfa Romeo's VP product manager, Daniel Guzzafame.

Drivers can choose between Strada (road) and Pista (track) mode. Alfa Romeo said it had the "amibitious" goal of ensuring the car was as at home on track as on the road, thus giving the driver a more comfortable ride in road mode with slower throttle response, softer suspension and – on the V6 car – exhaust valves that don't open until 5000rpm. Track mode, meanwhile, sharpens the throttle response, stiffens its front and rear double-wishbone suspension and keeps the exhaust valve open constantly.

Manoeuvrability on road and track is helped by a four-wheel steering system that has been developed in-house by Alfa Romeo and is described as "semi-virtual". The firm claims this aids precision and can filter out rough road surfaces to make the driver feel more comfortable.

Stopping power comes from carbon-ceramic ventilated Brembos, with six-piston calipers at the front and four-pots at the rear. 

To help keep weight down, the 33 Stradale's monocoque chassis is made out of carbonfibre and its body frame from aluminium. The window frames are also carbonfibre and lightweight door hinges are fitted for the Stradale’s striking butterfly doors.

Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato said: "With the new 33 Stradale, we wanted to create something that lived up to our past, to serve the brand and make the Alfisti fandom proud. 

“Such a result could only have been achieved thanks to the expertise, hard work and passion of our team. This is the brand's first 'fuoriserie' car since 1969, and I promise it won't be the last."

In the design of the 33 Stradale, Alfa Romeo has tried to match the proportions of the original car as closely as possible. From the front, it uses the familiar 'V' shaped grille, called the Scudetto Shield, with an overall profile optimised for aerodynamics and “necessary beauty”, the brand claims.

The emphasis on aerodynamics includes the use of an air intake integrated into the headlights and a rear spoiler directing air into the side intakes to make the car as slippery as possible. Guzzafame confirmed that the 33 Stradale's new-style 'V' shaped grille, elliptical bonnet and LED lines in the headlights will be carried over to future cars from the brand.

As with the exterior, its cockpit employs lightweight materials such as aluminium and carbonfibre, while extensive use of Alcantara reinforces its supercar billing.

Imparato previously told Autocar that Alfa would ensure its interiors remain "driver-centric", and the 33 Stradale cements this pledge with very few buttons hosted on the centre console, and a 3D head-up display (said to be an industry-first) serving as the main digital interface, designed to distract the driver as little as possible.

The steering wheel does without buttons entirely, with certain physical controls instead mounted above the driver’s head on the ceiling - a feature that, Alfa says, is designed to make the interior feel like an aeroplane cockpit. 

The seats, meanwhile, are inspired by those in the original 33 Stradale.

In keeping with the pure and simple ethos, just two specifications are available – Tributo and Alfa Corse – and three colours: blue, red, and a white and red livery paying tribute to the design of the 33 Stradale racer.

"Every detail is designed to create an exclusive and engaging environment, maintaining the aesthetic and technical heritage of the 1967 33 Stradale," said Alfa Romeo.

Each car has been designed to be different from the last, to the extent that buyers can even select the last eight digits of their car’s VIN number. Further modifications are available for the grille, rear badge and air intakes.