Alfa’s supercar is born again!

An Alfa supercar was shelved a few years back. But the new regime wants to fire it up as a last hurrah for the V6, says Phil McNamara.

THE SCOOP

A LAST HURRAH

Alfa Romeo is working on a new supercar as a swansong for its brilliant twin-turbo V6 engine. Set to break cover next year, the halo car needs to hit the market by 2024, because from 2025 all new Alfas will be pure electric. It will showcase Alfa’s new design direction and forge a clear link with its Formula 1 team.

INSPIRING HISTORY

Both Imparato and design boss Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos cite the beautiful, mid-engined 33 Stradale (pictured) from 1967 as inspiration. It influenced the design of the carbon 4C, which ran a four-pot engine. Work began on a V6 hybrid carbon supercar in 2018 but was then shelved – sounds like Alfa is rebooting the project.

POWER OF SAUBER

Alfa CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato is passionate about motorsport: ‘F1 is in parallel with where Alfa wants to be today and new product.’ Alfa’s design team collaborate with Sauber, and road cars are tested in its wind tunnel. That will be great for honing the aerodynamics of the likely carbonfibre flagship.

DARING DESIGN

Expect the V6 to be midmounted, with four-wheel drive via an electric front axle in keeping with Alfa’s electrified push. And the design? ‘Our cars are going to be daring,’ says Mesonero-Romanos, who’s promising clean surfaces and a great stance. ‘But don’t expect retro cars. Our cars are going to be full Alfa Romeo!’

No retro, says Alfa, but expect shades of the fabulous 33 Stradale.

FACT FILE

• POWERTRAIN twin-turbo V6, electrified front axle, all-wheel drive
• MAX POWER 550bhp
• CHASSIS Carbonfibre monocoque
• DUE 2023