Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale: daring to dream

TECHNICALS – AN UNFORGETTABLE DRIVING EXPERIENCE

• The new 33 Stradale boasts the best Made at Alfa Romeo engineering, including double-arm suspension with active shock absorbers and the evolution of the V6 engine that already features in the Italian brand’s highest-performance cars.
• Available with a 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo engine with over 620 hp and an eight-speed DCT gearbox, rear-wheel drive and electronic limited-slip differential, or in BEV configuration delivering around 750 hp, with an estimated range of 450 km (WLTP).
• An indicated top speed of 333 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in under three seconds, with braking from 100 km/h to 0 in under 33 m.
• H-frame aluminium chassis and carbon fibre monocoque: The light and rigid structure optimises the car’s agility and drivability.
• Double-arm suspension with active shock absorbers for exceptional handling and unparalleled comfort and front axle lift to deal with obstacles on the road.
• The tuning will benefit from the collaboration of F1 driver Valtteri Bottas to offer a driving experience as a track car while remaining suitable for everyday use on the road.

The Alfa Romeo team dedicated to the new 33 Stradale was assigned an ambitious goal: to offer a driving experience as a track car in everyday use on the road, where the driver could experience excitement even as a non-professional. Indeed, the new 33 Stradale is type-approved to be driven on the road but boasts superior performance levels, drivability and comfort. To ensure this, all 33 models will be developed, tested and certified by a team of dedicated engineers working with F1 driver Valtteri Bottas. The Finnish champion will support the car’s tuning at the Balocco Proving Ground in Vercelli province, thus bringing the F1 experience into everyday driving and ensuring Alfa Romeo’s unmistakable handling.

The components that contribute most to the extraordinary performance of the global Italian brand’s new special edition are below.

ICE and BEV configurations: The 33 Stradale can be fitted with a 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo engine with over 620 hp and an eight-speed DCT gearbox, rear-wheel drive and electronic limited-slip differential, or in BEV configuration delivering over 750 hp, with an estimated range of 450 km (WLTP). In detail, the internal combustion engine is the evolution of the V6 already fitted to the Italian brand’s highest-performance cars, and it is longitudinally mounted in the centre and enables the vehicle to reach a top speed of 333 km/h, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in under three seconds. Not to mention that the rider can select the drive mode using the switches on the central tunnel: Road and Track. The former is Strada (‘Road’) mode, engaged when the car is started. This ensures comfort and driving pleasure: smooth power delivery, usual pedal sensitivity, soft suspension, fluid transmission and active exhaust valves open only above 5,000 rpm. In “Pista” (‘Track’) mode, the customer chooses an adrenaline-fueled drive: the power is at its peak, the pedals are even more responsive, and the suspension is rigid; in terms of specifications, it comes with a V6 twin-turbo engine, rapid gearshift and active exhaust valves that are always open. Furthermore, the driver can deactivate all the traction control (ESC OFF) in this drive mode.

H-frame aluminium chassis and carbon fibre monocoque: dynamic development and tuning are carried out by exploiting the flexibility offered by the rigid and light structure of the 33 Stradale, for which extensive use has been made of lightweight materials, the result of a production that combines high-tech processes with the most rigorous craftsmanship. In detail, the H-frame is made of aluminium to obtain maximum torsional rigidity and to guarantee a precise and safe ride, while the monocoque is made of carbon fibre. The choice was motivated by the need to reduce weight as much as possible and optimise the car’s centre of gravity to the advantage of agility and drivability on the most demanding routes. Again, a roof structure has been engineered in carbon fibre and aluminium to ensure high rigidity and safety, with specially developed hinges for the butterfly doors. The window frames are also carbon fibre, with the rear window in polycarbonate.

Suspension: The new 33 Stradale adopts a dual-arm suspension scheme with active shock absorbers and semi-virtual steering on both the front and rear axles. This 100% Alfa Romeo technology provides optimum control of the steering wheel and the highest degree of steering precision. It also offers excellent lateral acceleration, ensuring the best handling in all driving conditions. In addition, the system can filter the roughness of the road surface to make the driver more comfortable.

Front axle lift: The system enables the lifting of the front when passing obstacles, such as bumps, rails or when entering parking lots or garages, to avoid damage to the bodywork. The driver can activate this function via the “Assetto” (‘setup’) control on the central console when driving at under 40 km/h. The hydraulic system raises the front axle by about 50 mm to overcome the obstacle, then returns it to the standard height by manually deactivating the system or when exceeding the speed limit set.

Performance controls: Certain parameters can be set to fully enjoy the exciting driving experience on board the 33 Stradale. For example, when the car is in “Pista” mode, the driver can launch the “Fast Start” procedure via the “Quadrifoglio” button on the centre tunnel. The system acts on the gearbox, traction control and power to maximise acceleration by avoiding wheel slippage. Alternatively, using the “Suspension” selector, the driver can change the suspension settings in both drive modes, switching from soft to medium when in “Strada” mode or from rigid to medium if the “Pista” function is activated.

Braking system: The new 33 Stradale is equipped with the integrated Alfa Romeo Brake-By-Wire braking system, offering both control of braking pressure and ensuring stability in the feeling of the pedal, which also depends on which drive mode is selected. Produced by Brembo for Alfa Romeo, carbon-ceramic brakes guarantee high performance and ensure reactive braking with a reduced fading effect at high temperatures. In the front and rear, the discs are ventilated and perforated with a six-piston monobloc calliper in aluminium in the show, with a four-piston system in the rear. The callipers can be customised in other colour solutions on request and the classic Rosso, Nero and Giallo colours.

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