Alfa Romeo’s Supercar Gets F1 Winner’s Stamp Of Approval
The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is getting closer and closer to production, and an early prototype of the supercar just went through the wringer with Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas behind the wheel. Taking a spin around Alfa’s proving ground in Balocco, Italy, Bottas gave feedback on the car’s final tuning, helping Alfa engineers tweak it so that all its 33 lucky owners are satisfied with their million-dollar purchases.
Not Quite A Top Speed Run, But Close
During his time in the 33 Stradale, Bottas gradually ramped up his pace, making early assessments of its steering and braking response and his overall comfort behind the wheel. As the test sessions progressed, he began to attack the courses at Balocco Proving Ground with more ferocity, eventually hitting the high-speed track for a run that approached (but didn’t quite hit) the Alfa Romeo’s 207-mph top speed – not to worry, the Italian automaker has already verified that number.
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Bottas had good things to say about his time behind the wheel of the nearly production-ready “Prototype 00.” He praised the sound of its 620-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, and he found its performance and feedback to be accessible even for everyday drivers. We might be tempted to take his words with a grain of salt given he is one of the 33 lucky owners awaiting their Stradale and so would want to feel good about his purchase, but then again, he’s an F1 driver so he probably knows what he’s talking about.
Retro Meets Modern
Today’s Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale takes liberal inspiration from a supercar by the same name built from 1967 to 1969. The mid-mounted engine shares much of its design with the 2.9-liter V6 found in the Giulia Quadrifoglio, lending credence to Bottas’ claims of exotic engine noise. An all-electric version with 750 hp and a WLTP range of 280 miles is also on offer, although very few buyers opted for this. Whatever the powertrain, the suspension features Alfa Romeo-designed double A-arms and four-wheel steering, while Brembo provides the carbon-ceramic brake-by-wire system that will haul the Strad down from 62 mph in 108 feet.
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The coachbuilding experts at Touring Superleggera will hand-build the 33 Stradale’s carbon fiber monocoque and aluminum H-frame, mating its neo-retro bodywork to the high-tech bones underneath. Inside, the Alfa Romeo supercar’s minimalist design features hidden infotainment and large swaths of exquisite-looking, ecologically sourced Poltrona Frau leather. And speaking of, no two 33 Stradales will be alike thanks to the Alfa Romeo Bottega, an exclusive experience that allows each owner to choose their paint color, upholstery, trim, and even a bespoke VIN ending in any eight digits. Bottas didn’t cop to his specification, but one US-bound Stradale will take its design directly from the past.
