2023-08-31 18:10:00
Mamma mia, what were those times? Alfa Romeo, that obscure object of desire, a diva of automotive history, so beautiful to look at, so unpredictable in all its fragility.
“From the mythical Tazio Nuvolari and Enzo Ferrari to the legend of Nino Farina and Juan Manuel Fangio. From victory in the first motorsport world championship with the P2 to conquering the first Formula 1 championship with the Alfetta 158,” comment on the story – Narrator of the Italian premium brand on the Alfa Romeo homepage euphoric.
Founded on June 24, 1910 in Milan, Alfa wrote mobility history.
Aircraft engines were built, Niki Lauda drove the legendary Brabham Alfa Romeo BT46B, also known as the vacuum cleaner, and fame even reached Hollywood. In the legendary film classic “The Graduate” Dustin Hoffmann drove across the screen in the Duetto Spider.
At the tipping point
Countless stories accompany Alfa up to modern times. But the Italians did not form chapters for the present from history. Announcement policy instead of real innovations, a few highlights, such as 4 C or 8 C were interspersed, but somehow Alfa strayed toward its end. The model range too thin, the sales too meager. You were on the brink.
The Old and the New Stradale: Alfa’s history lives on © (c) Simona Alampi
When Alfa’s mother Fiat married the PSA group (Peugeot, Citroën, DS), many saw the end of the traditional brand coming.
In the realm of Big Boss Carlos Tavares and Stellantis – as the multi-brand realm is called – feelings have no place. But amateur racing driver and numbers man Tavares put his best man at the helm of Alfa: Jean Philippe Imparato, who had already brought Peugeot back into shape. Imparato, aware of the weak points, immediately set the course: quality, emotions and profitability, the guiding stars of the project.
Spectacular sign
Imparato has now made a spectacular statement in the Alfa Museum in Arese, of all places, with the new edition of the Alfa Romeo Stradale, described as the “most beautiful sports car of all time”, of which only twelve were built between 1967 and 1969 and for which more than 20 are sold at auction today million euros will be paid. The street version of the Tipo 33 was then drawn by Franco Scaglione, who curiously had previously been a tailor.
Each car is handcrafted © Alfa
Just Italian style.
Formula 1 stands guard
The comeback, accompanied in Arese by the Alfa F1 team with Valtteri Bottas at the helm and Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali, is unique because it was created in cooperation with Alfa collectors.
At the last GP in Monza, the collectors were shown the first sketches, now, just before this year’s race weekend, the car was presented for the first time. Hinged doors with large glass panels like the original Stradale 33, no spoilers, reduced to the essence of beauty.
Sold out
The 33 pieces are sold out, the lucky ones still have time to choose between the combustion (V8 biturbo, 630 hp, eight-speed double clutch, from 0 to 100 km/h in less than three seconds) and the electric version (750 hp, 800 Volt technology, 450 km range, 0 to 100 in 2.5 seconds).
Reduced to the essentials: the cockpit © (c) MAXSAROTTO
No prices are mentioned, they are in the millions. Each piece is a one-off production, two to three cars are produced per month.
bridging
It is the beginning of a new Alfa era, bridging the gap between past and present. Details such as the design language of the bonnet of the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale will be seen once more on future models.
And new models will follow: in 2024 there will be a new, small entry-level SUV. 2024/2025 Giulia and Stelvio will be relaunched, the electric Giulia will have up to 1000 hp and three electric motors.
From 2027 you will venture into the area of sporty luxury liners, a large electric SUV will follow this year. And by 2028 at the latest, the aim is to be fully electric in the model range.
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