ALFA ROMEO 33 STRADALE - What might the design of a future Alfa Romeo supercar look like? How can we envisage the evolution of the 33 Stradale, this brand's most extreme roadgoing model?
INTRODUCTION: ALFA ROMEO 33 STRADALE
The investigation began with a series of drawings aimed at comprehending the vehicle's volumes: if the Y zero has stayed nearly constant, it is exactly in the volumetry where the first element of alienation from the 1960s model can be seen. The cockpit is hung between the wheels and resembles a "teardrop form," creating the impression of tremendous lightness and little drag, akin to that of an aeroplane.
The relationship between the inner and outer surfaces of the volumes may be seen in the drawings. These enormous volumes are made feasible by the vehicle's electric propulsion, which, without the limits of an endothermic engine, is more streamlined and contemporary. The motors are actually housed within the wheels themselves.
DESIGN STORY
After defining the volumes and the balance between full and empty, the project entered its second step, which is the study of the lines and how they interact with one another: on the drawing board, you can observe style investigations on items such as headlights or trims between materials. The mix of these components defined the car's personality. The traditional Alfa trilobal no longer has a grille, but rather a hole that allows the airflow travelling over the hood to the car's greenhouse to be managed. The lights, particularly the front ones, were a significant issue for this project.
Following the traditional direction of the preceding 33 Stradale with "big eyes" inherited from the prototype world, a decision followed by models such as 8C and 4C, or something more comparable to the current solutions of Giulia, Stelvio, and Tonale, was the choice. Finally, they decided on a more circular design with crisp LEDs within. This allowed for contemporary lighting without detracting from the Tipo33's flair.
DETAILING: ALFA ROMEO 33 STRADALE
The final phase in the project was to align all of the decisions taken and make them compatible with the Alfa DNA via convergent method, style, and character. In addition, distinguishing components such as intakes or aerodynamic appendages have been done: the rearview cameras, like in Formula 1, have the role of wings, the cut of the rear wheel arch recalls the previous model's air intake, and the diffuser, which is quite high, resembles a trilobite.
The 3D model makes these subtleties obvious, as does the treatment of surfaces and the manipulation of sunlight. In reality, the final phase has been a thorough process of surfacing to preserve the brand's canons. This is evident from the wheel arches, particularly the rear ones, which have kept true to the original 33. Other little features, such as the location of the emblem, which is in the same position as the classic models, or the cover of the charging connections, which is positioned behind the C-pillar and suggestive of an endurance vehicle, have been specified in 3D.
Finally, the 33 Stradale MY30 is a nostalgic homage to the past that does not forego new technical and design solutions, with the ultimate objective of igniting the souls of all Alfa Romeo lovers.
ABOUT DESIGNER
Marco Martino is a young designer who built the 33 Stradale Model Year 2030 during his master's degree in transportation design at IED, Turin. Martino's goal for this project was to convert old-style aspects into a current key and merge them with radical qualities characteristic of a VisionGT.
