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Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione IFor Americans, the phrase "Italian Sports Car" evokes images of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Maseratis. But once that also included the Alfa Romeo brand. Until the mid 90's, Alfa was a way of enjoying Italian motoring style without mortgaging the house. Now, after 15 years Alfa returns to America with the heart-stopping, 8C Competizione. Only this time, your mortgage may not be big enough! What's not to love about testing a beautiful new coupe from Italy? But this one is extra special. We haven't been behind the wheel of an Alfa in a very long time. The 8C Competizione gets its name, sexy lines, and heritage from the supercharged Alfas of the 1930s and 40s. These were the cars that ran the Mille Miglia open road endurance race back in its heyday. Today's 8C bowed as a concept at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show and then in production dress at the 2006 Paris Show. A run of just 500 units were built at parent company Fiat's Maserati facility in Modena, Italy. Less than a hundred came to the US and they were sold out about as quickly as Bocelli at the Coliseum.
Not only is the 8C built at Maserati, it's is also based on Maserati underpinnings. To that the 8C adds sleek Wolfgang Egger-designed carbon fiber body panels that are both sleek and muscular. Visually, the beauty of the 8C is a product of artful aerodynamics. From the front angle of incidence to the curvy rear haunches, it's all about supreme air flow. Behind the front wheels sits the heart of the 8C's. Maserati's Ferrari-built aluminum block 4.7-liter V8. With 444 horsepower, 354-pound-feet of torque, and an exhaust note that's the automotive equivalent of an aria sung by a world-class tenor. For optimal balance, the 3500 pound 8C uses a transaxle setup with gearbox and differential housed inside the rear axle. The gear change is a six-speed electro-hydraulic automated manual, controlled by F1-style steering column-mounted paddles. Power lays down to 'P Zero Corsa' racing tires, which carry the 8C from zero to 60 in a blinding 4.2 seconds. Alfa claims a top speed of 181 miles per hour and we believe it. On open country roads, the 8C roars to life. Power has been tuned for a steady delivery as opposed to a Ferrari which is biased to the higher-end of the band. Shifts are smooth and perfectly spaced, with short controlled bursts at each interval. The 8C's rigid steel chassis borrows its front and rear wishbone suspension from the Maserati GranTursimo. Driving dynamics are a suburb mix of response and compliant, offering an enjoyable middle ground tuning between a stiffly sprung Ferrari and daily driver Maserati. So, out of the box handling is tight, while ride is never harsh. But, when you want to take it up a notch, throw on 'Sport Mode' to firm things up further, while deepening the exhaust note and gaining even quicker throttle response. It's so easy to lose yourself to the 8C. But, Electronic Stability Control helps you maintain a safe focus. And it operates with minimal interference as to not spoil the experience. And for clamping down on gobs of momentum, the 8C is equipped with large perforated and ventilated discs with aluminum six-piston calipers at the front, and four-piston at the rear. High speed stops are short and sweet. The 8C's two-seat cockpit is a symphony of leather, aluminum, and carbon fiber, with deep gauges and quaint toggle switchgear. The carbon fiber seats, with hand stitched leather covers, are ultra-deep and super firm to provide maximum lateral support. Behind them is just enough space for a couple of small overnight bags.
The retro classic feel of the 8C interior is met with modern technologies such as high-end audio and navigation. But, even if you can afford the $282,000 base price of Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, you can't have one. They're sold out, as is the Spyder at about $28,000 more. So, you'll just have to live this Italian dream vicariously through us! The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizone is both unique and classic, and an exciting ice-breaker to the brand's return to America with more mainstream delights. Fifteen years is a long time, and the wait is almost over.
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Alfa has now followed up with an even rarer drop top version, the 8C Spyder. Only 35 of these are slated for the US.
Throughout the cabin, shiny glints of eye-catching metal include a branded brushed-steel kit plate, bright sport pedals down below, aluminum grab handles, and a console-mounted "limited edition" plaque.