Alfa Romeo is coming back to the U.S. and this is the car that will reintroduce the brand to American drivers. First shown as a concept at the 2003 Frankfurt Auto Show, the 2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Coupe is headed for production with very few changes.
Built on a steel chassis shared with Maserati, the 8C's body is made entirely of carbon fiber. This puts most of the weight down low, so the double-wishbone suspension can deliver optimum performance. Lightweight 20-inch aluminum wheels kept the unsprung weight as low as possible, but Alfa didn't skimp on the tires, as they measure 245/35R20 up front and 285/35R20 in back.
There's no shortage of power either, as the 8C gets an all-aluminum 4.7-liter V8. It develops 450 horsepower, while 80 percent of the peak torque of 347 pound-feet is available from 2,000 rpm. The engine redlines at 7,500 rpm, and it's guaranteed to sound very Italian thanks to electronically controlled exhaust actuators designed to deliver a sound of pure power that still manages to keep within allowable noise limits.
A six-speed transaxle handles the gearchanges, and there are shift paddles on the steering wheel. It offers three modes — Sport, Normal and Automatic — so even if you don't get to handle the shifter yourself there's still some level of interaction. A standard limited-slip differential ensures that most of the power gets to the ground, but if things get a little too slippery, there's a traction and stability control system as well.
Take a good look at the prototype in our spy video from the Nürburgring, as it could be your only chance to see and hear this stunning coupe in action. Production of the 8C Competizione is very limited, with only 99 scheduled for delivery to the U.S. in mid-2008. An open-top Spider will follow a year later, but it, too, will be sold in limited numbers. If all goes well, expect to see less expensive models from Alfa Romeo to follow, like the Brera coupe and Spider by 2010.
See new Alfa Romeo models
Built on a steel chassis shared with Maserati, the 8C's body is made entirely of carbon fiber. This puts most of the weight down low, so the double-wishbone suspension can deliver optimum performance. Lightweight 20-inch aluminum wheels kept the unsprung weight as low as possible, but Alfa didn't skimp on the tires, as they measure 245/35R20 up front and 285/35R20 in back.
There's no shortage of power either, as the 8C gets an all-aluminum 4.7-liter V8. It develops 450 horsepower, while 80 percent of the peak torque of 347 pound-feet is available from 2,000 rpm. The engine redlines at 7,500 rpm, and it's guaranteed to sound very Italian thanks to electronically controlled exhaust actuators designed to deliver a sound of pure power that still manages to keep within allowable noise limits.
A six-speed transaxle handles the gearchanges, and there are shift paddles on the steering wheel. It offers three modes — Sport, Normal and Automatic — so even if you don't get to handle the shifter yourself there's still some level of interaction. A standard limited-slip differential ensures that most of the power gets to the ground, but if things get a little too slippery, there's a traction and stability control system as well.
Take a good look at the prototype in our spy video from the Nürburgring, as it could be your only chance to see and hear this stunning coupe in action. Production of the 8C Competizione is very limited, with only 99 scheduled for delivery to the U.S. in mid-2008. An open-top Spider will follow a year later, but it, too, will be sold in limited numbers. If all goes well, expect to see less expensive models from Alfa Romeo to follow, like the Brera coupe and Spider by 2010.
See new Alfa Romeo models
Add A Comment »