Modern Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale hits 207 mph at Nardò

• Alfa Romeo has completed some of the final tests for its modern 33 Stradale supercar
• Final testing for the 33 Stradale is taking place at Italy’s Nardò and Balocco proving grounds
• Only 33 examples are planned for production, which will be handled by coachbuilder Touring Superleggera

Testing of Alfa Romeo’s modern 33 Stradale reached a high point recently when a prototype was taken to a top speed of 207 mph on the high-speed oval that forms part of Italy’s Nardò Technical Center. The test was part of a series of final dynamic evaluations for the supercar ahead of the start of deliveries in late December.

First shown last year, the 33 Stradale is a modern take on the iconic Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale of the 1960s, and shares a lot in common with the MC20 supercar from fellow Stellantis brand Maserati, including its carbon-fiber chassis and 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Alfa Romeo actually started work on the car late last decade, when it planned to launch it as an 8C successor.

Alfa Romeo gave up on launching a supercar as a regular production model, and instead decided to offer one as a limited-edition model. Just 33 examples of the 33 Stradale are destined for production, and all build slots are taken. Alfa Romeo won’t build the car, however. That task will be outsourced to Italian coachbuilder Touring Superleggera, the same company that built 2013’s stunning Alfa Romeo Disco Volante on the chassis of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione supercar.

The 33 Stradale’s engine is a mid-mounted twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that Alfa Romeo says is an evolution of the twin-turbocharged V-6 found in models like the Giulia and Stelvio, rather than the engine in the MC20, which is also a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6. The Alfa Romeo engine is rated at 620 hp, which matches the output of the Maserati engine. Drive is to the rear wheels only, via an electronic limited-slip differential, and Alfa Romeo said 0-60 mph acceleration can be achieved in less than three seconds.

Alfa Romeo has also promised an electric powertrain for the 33 Stradale. At last year’s reveal, Alfa Romeo said the electric powertrain would deliver 750 hp. However, the automaker hasn’t said whether any of the 33 buyers have opted for it. Maserati also plans an electric version of the MC20.

Beyond the high-speed testing, Alfa Romeo engineers also recently signed off on testing for the car’s balance, braking system and road handling, both at medium and high speeds. Those tests took place on the historic Balocco Proving Ground in Italy. It’s where Alfa Romeo’s Autodelta motorsports arm tested race cars, including for Formula 1 and DTM. One of the results of the brake testing was the ability to bring the car to a halt from 60 mph in less than 108 feet, thanks to a combination of brake-by-wire technology and Brembo carbon-ceramic rotors.