Alfa Romeo is working on a new supercar

Published 2023-02-26 by Zdravko Anticic

Alfa Romeo, the company from Turin that is famous for making beautiful road and race cars since 1910 is looking to bolster their presence in the wider auto market in the coming years. The company has struggled to be competitive in the last twenty years, mostly due to a reputation of reliability issues driving away potential customers.

While their customer base has survived, partially off the back of passionate brand supporters otherwise known as Alfisti, this would not work forever. In recent years, they seem to have got things going in the right direction again.

The revival of the iconic Giulia model came in 2015, with a several powertrain options, and a beautiful design, as is the Alfa way, and the crossover named Stelvio followed a year after. While the 4C is also part of the lineup, it is a little uninspiring, with only a turbo inline-4 engine available.

The top of the line at the time was the Giulia Quadrifoglio, coming with a twin-turbo 2.9 litre V6 pushing 510 horsepower, adding a healthy dose of sports DNA to the car. This was further pushed by the introduction of the GTAm in 2020.

It was based off the same powertrain as the Quadrifoglio, with an increase in horsepower to 540, and a weight reduction of around 100kg. Also noted was a track width increase by 50mm on both front and rear ends of the car. That, and a much more aggressive body design.

Alfa Romeo 4C

Meanwhile, they had a contender in the light sportscar segment. An apparent competitor to the Lotus Exige, and similar cars was, and still is the 4C. A lightweight two-seater, which was initially imagined as a flagship car to the US market, to rebuild the reputation of the brand. It was met with mixed reception. A beautiful design, albeit a little unimaginative with the only engine option offered being a 1750 TBi four cylinder.

Flying on the relative success of the Giulia and Stelvio, Alfa Romeo decided to diversify its offer, and break into the compact crossover SUV segment, with the Alfa Romeo Tonale, set to come out in 2022. It is yet to be seen how well the utilitarian Tonale will do.

However, helped by its’ financial performance in 2022, Alfa Romeo is now aiming to come out with several new high-end models. Namely, a new electric Giulia, an electric replacement from the Stelvio, and an E segment flagship SUV. An interesting details about the e-Giulia: the top-tier option will produce 1000 horsepower all of which will come from a purely electric powertrain, according to Jean-Philippe Imparato, the company’s CEO.

Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale

But the most interesting rumored addition to the Alfa Romeo lineup - there is a supercar in the plans.

While it is good for the brand to create SUV’s and similar cars, I think it is good to see Alfa Romeo in a sportscar or racing context. We all remember the Alfa Romeo 33 for a good reason. Or the now legendary Busso V6 engine which was the musical instrument of the 90’s Alfa Romeo cars, and the DTM championship-winning 155.

Alfa Romeo 155 V6 DTM

Currently, not much is known about the supercar project, it is said that a final decision will be made in mid-April. Exciting times ahead, with a new-old player in the supercar market. The CEO noted that “We are working on something you could put beside the 8C in our Arese museum.”

The alfa 8C was a poorly executed re-badging of the Maserati Gran Turismo. Lets hope they do not make the same mistake again.

Having Alfa's relationship with Maserati in mind, it is very likely that the new supercar might end up being a rebadged Maserati MC20.

That said, the clients are not stupid. They will understand this is a Maserati. In order for the car to succeed, Alfa Romeo must do something with the project to push it beyond the Maserati version. For example the Maserati MC12. It came out alongside the Ferrari Enzo, but in a smaller number of units built. This is why the MC12 is now more valuable than the Enzo.

If this is the route Alfa Romeo takes with the new supercar, I am all in. An ultra limited version of the MC20, badged as a special version Alfa that everyone loves. That is what I want to see.