The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2024 - Issue 35

bitecars elled according to Alfa Romeo’s formal expression. The corner door openings and the sizeable wraparound sunroof give the driver a unique aircraft cockpit view. The curved front and maximum height in the middle of the roof balance its brutal rear. The rear area expresses the car’s strength thanks to the central V-shape of the truncated tail, enhancing the perception of the body colour and keeping the technical carbon fibre part at the bottom in view. The side di- rection indicators are divided into two parts: one is integrated into the centre of the rear light cluster, and the other emerges from the side of the fender. The lower headlights integrate an air intake to direct the air- flow in the right direction and feed the radiator. The support- ive arm of the rearview mirror acts as a spoiler to direct the airflow toward the side intakes to maximise their performance. Overall, the air envelops the car and follows its natural path, unhindered by edges and irregularities. This ground effect contributes to increasing stability at high speeds and produces an aerodynamic efficiency of 0.375 Cx at zero Cz without the assistance of active systems. Final Word Alfa Romeo almost doubled its new ‘fuoriserie’ (custom-build) models from the original count, with 33 produced through a dedicated program. This initiative allowed customers to de- velop functional stylistic elements with the Italian marque’s development team, including air intakes, wheels and the dis- tinctive front shield. Thus, no two 33 Stradales are identical, making them masterpieces ‘on four wheels’ with the ambition of becoming part of the marque’s history. The first three letters of the VIN identify the Alfa Romeo ZAR brand, followed by five digits defined as 33STR. Customers then customised the last eight digits as their engraved signa- ture in the central console. Alfa Romeo employed the crafts- manship of Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera, an Italian au- tomobile coachbuilder initially established in Milan in 1925, declined in 1966, but was re-established in 2006 to construct the cars. Tailor-made quality standards were ensured with ob- sessive attention to detail. Using the same philosophy as the workshops of the most fa- mous Italian coachbuilders of the 1960s, Bottega, a team of Alfa Romeo professionals, worked closely with the customers for a year to design the 33 unique and exclusive Stradale mod- els to their specifications. The potential buyers were treated to the first sketches of the car and invited to give their desired customisation for their vehicles with full respect for the found- er’s history and iconicity at the Sala del Consiglio of the Mu- seum in Arese. While the original model spearheaded the marque’s return to frontline racing in the 1960s, the modernised model enhanced Alfa Romeo’s identity, elevated their aspirations and embodied their DNA and values. As CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato said, “[The new 33 Stradale] brings Alfa Romeo back to the ‘Super- car Club’, of which we were one of the founding members. We wanted to create something that lived up to our past, to serve the brand and make the Alfisiti fandom proud.” www.alfaromeo.co.uk/models/special-series/33-stradale