What does McLaren P1 designer Frank Stephenson make of the Alfa 33 Stradale?

Frank Stephenson is a car designer with more hits than the Beatles, including the Escort RS Cossie, first BMW Mini, Maser MC12, numerous Ferraris and the McLaren P1. These days he runs his own consultancy – Frank Stephenson Design. Here he shares his views on Alfa's new 33 Stradale with Top Gear

It takes a lot of courage to go out and redesign a true icon of automotive design. The original 33 Stradale is widely considered the Mona Lisa, so any attempt to reinterpret the iconic shape into a modern package is no mean feat.

But my goodness, the team at Alfa’s Centro Stile have made a heck of a job of it. It’s easily one of the most stunning releases of the past few years, but still not perfect.

I feel it misses the ultimate mark because of a few critical design choices.

In some areas, the details appear overly complicated – the side intake, the edgy bonnet, the fussy rear end. The OG 33 is one of the most pure and simple forms in automotive history, an ode to beauty in its most stripped-back form.

We’re talking about a £1.7 million supercar here, so sadly only a select few will be able to buy one. But that’s the beauty of good design - we all get to enjoy it so long as owners use them in the wild and don’t lock them away forever.

Room for improvement then, but still a smoking hot effort from Alfa.

Very complex surface treatment. The front graphic is a fantastic modernisation of the original. Thinner A-pillar to reduce visual weight? Black mirror cap to blend into glass area? Rounder, more organically shaped headlights? Intake design is much more aggressive than the original!

Rear plate position could be lowered to make it less of a focal point. Overcomplicated design [bottom half of rear light signature]! Reflector position is too generic. Not enough for this surface [rear three quarter carbon to side of wheel arch]

The proportions are not as unique as the original 33. The rear is much higher!

Verdict: HOT