Swan Song for the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider in the U.S.

Jason R. Sakurai
by Jason R. Sakurai

The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider is at the end of the road in the U.S. Unlike some cases, in which models are dropped with little fanfare, FCA has decided to send the 4C out in style with the roll out of the 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo, a salute to the ’67 Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

Just 33 Stradale Tributos will be produced for North America, in Rosso Villa d’Este tri-coat paint, red carbon fiber monocoque, gray-gold five-hole 18-inch front and 19-inch rear alloy wheels, and a black suede and tobacco leather interior.

The 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo is powered by an all-aluminum 1750cc turbocharged engine with direct-injection, dual intercoolers and variable-valve timing, producing 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, backed by a six-speed Alfa twin-clutch transmission. Weighing less than 2,500 pounds, the 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo has a power-to-weight ratio of 10.4 lb/hp, and achieves 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 160 mph.

The 4C’s carbon fiber monocoque chassis appears for the first time in a red transparent finish. Much of the vehicle’s previously optional equipment is standard on the Stradale Tributo, including an Akrapovic exhaust system, race-tuned suspension, bi-xenon headlamps, battery charger, car cover, suede/leather seats and carbon fiber halo, rear wing and Italian flag mirror caps. Similarly optioned, a 4C Spider would cost thousands over its base price. Completing the refined exterior treatment are Centro Stile Alfa Romeo commemorative badges and an optional piano-black front air intake and rear diffuser.

Built in Modena, Italy, and designed by Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, in the cockpit, the Stradale Tributo has plaques on the dash, side sills and one which is numbered on the center console. Buyers also get a matching, numbered book that chronicles the 4C’s design concept, technology, and materials, as well as the 33 Stradale’s history.

Select dealers, and probably not your CDJR outlet in Kansas, will receive the 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo, with pricing starting at $79,995 US, excluding title, taxes, destination charges, and the usual dealer markup for a vehicle so rare. Interesting in buying one? You can contact sales@alfaromeo.com and they’ll tell you where you can find your unicorn.

Despite this statement from Tim Kuniskis, Global Head of Alfa Romeo, who said, “Since its introduction in 2014, the 4C has been a halo vehicle for Alfa Romeo, exciting enthusiasts around the world and spearheading the relaunch of the brand in North America,” the 2020 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo marks the final production run of the 4C Spider for North America.

[Images: Alfa Romeo]

Jason R. Sakurai
Jason R. Sakurai

With a father who owned a dealership, I literally grew up in the business. After college, I worked for GM, Nissan and Mazda, writing articles for automotive enthusiast magazines as a side gig. I discovered you could make a living selling ad space at Four Wheeler magazine, before I moved on to selling TV for the National Hot Rod Association. After that, I started Roadhouse, a marketing, advertising and PR firm dedicated to the automotive, outdoor/apparel, and entertainment industries. Through the years, I continued writing, shooting, and editing. It keep things interesting.

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  • Add Lightness Add Lightness on Dec 14, 2020

    One would be hard pressed to find a single common part between a real 33 and this 'tribute' marketing ploy. The 4C was always 350# too heavy and missing a pedal.

    • See 2 previous
    • Garrett Garrett on Dec 15, 2020

      @MRF 95 T-Bird Interesting - I had forgotten about the Boxster and Cayman. Once upon a time, I would have loved to have one of them...frankly, I’d rather have a 4C and have something special. That being said, I do wish they would have put the turbo 2.0L from the Giulia and Stelvio in the 4C. It has plenty of pep for daily driving in a Stelvio, and I imagine it would be absolutely awesome in the 4C

  • Inside Looking Out Inside Looking Out on Dec 14, 2020

    Stradale in Russian means "to suffer".

  • Redapple2 I think I ve been in 100 plants. ~ 20 in Mexico. ~10 Europe. Balance usa. About 1/2 nonunion. I supervised UAW skilled trades guys at GM Powertrain for 6 years. I know the answer.PS- you do know GM products - sales weighted - average about 40% USA-Canada Content.
  • Jrhurren Unions and ownership need to work towards the common good together. Shawn Fain is a clown who would love to drive the companies out of business (or offshored) just to claim victory.
  • Redapple2 Tadge will be replaced with a girl. Even thought -today- only 13% of engineer -newly granted BS are female. So, a Tadge level job takes ~~ 25 yrs of experience, I d look at % in 2000. I d bet it was lower. Not higher. 10%. (You cannot believe what % of top jobs at gm are women. @ 10%. Jeez.)
  • Redapple2 .....styling has moved into [s]exotic car territory[/s] tortured over done origami land.  There; I fixed it. C 7 is best looking.
  • TheEndlessEnigma Of course they should unionize. US based automotive production component production and auto assembly plants with unionized memberships produce the highest quality products in the automotive sector. Just look at the high quality products produced by GM, Ford and Chrysler!
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