Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
Manufacturer	Alfa Romeo
Assembly	Modena, Italy (Maserati)
Production	2007-present
Class	Sports car
Layout	FR layout
Body style	2-door coupé
Engine	4.7 L V8
Transmission	6-speed Sequential manual
Wheelbase	2595 mm
Length	4280 mm
Width	1900 mm
Height	1250 mm
Front track
Rear track
Weight	1400 kg
Predecessor	Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale
Successor
Related
Similar	Audi R8 Ferrari F430 Maserati GranTurismo
Designer	Wolfgang Egger

The Alfa Romeo Competizione is a Sports car produced by Italian automaker Alfa Romeo. It was firstly presented as a concept car at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show and later released for sale for the 2007 model year.

2003 concept car

Rear view of 8C concept car

The 8C Competizione was showed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2003. The lines of the twin seater are meant to echo the styling of Alfa's of the 1930s and 1940s, and the "Competizione" name is a pointer to the 1948 6C 2500 Competizione, which competed in the 1949 and 1950 Mille Miglia race, coming third both times. In the 1950 Mille Miglia Juan-Manuel Fangio and Augusto Zanardi drove. It won the 1950 Targa Florio. A 3.0 litre prototype was built but not produced. These 6C 2500 models were among the last vehicles with links to the pre-war cars.

At the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Alfa Romeo released the Alfa 8C Spider, a roadster version of the coupé, with different alloy wheels.

2004 concept car

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Now in production and to be imported to the US in 2007

Alfa Romeo launched the stunning '8C Competizione' concept car at the 60th Frankfurt Motor Show in 2004 to an astonished audience.

The beautiful sweeping lines of the twin seater hark back to the early styling of the Alfa's of the 30's and 40's, and the 'Competizione' name is a pointer to the '6C 2500 Competizione' the Mille Miglia race competitor in 1950, driven by Juan-Manuel Fangio and Augusto Zanardi.

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To much disappointment, the FIAT motor group decided not to produce any road-going versions of the 8C, sighting conflicting sales with the Maserati brand, of which the 8C's 4.3-litre V8 engine is derived.

2007 production version

During the Mondial de l'Automobile 2006, Alfa Romeo announced the production of a limited series 500 units of 8C Competizione. The production version features a Ferrari/Maserati derived 4.7-litre V8. The top engine performance figures may be summarized as a maximum power output of 450 hp at 7000 rpm, a peak torque of 470 Nm at 4750 rpm (80% at 2500 rpm) with an engine speed limit of 7500 rpm.

The six–speed gearbox has computerized gear selection by means of levers behind the steering wheel and may be used in Manual-Normal; Manual-Sport; Automatic-Normal; Automatic-Sport and Ice modes. It has a limited slip differential.

It is fitted with specially developed 20 inch tyres: 245/35 at the front and 285/35 at the rear, fitted on perforated rims in fluid moulded aluminium.

Engine type	V8
Displacement	4.7L - 4691cc
Power	450PS
Torque	470Nm

Production numbers and markets

The 8C will be built in a limited number of 500 and Alfa Romeo have earmarked the entire production run among several important markets. It is all sold out.

The 8C will, from 2008, be marketed as Alfa Romeo's return to the American market after Alfa Romeo's withdrawal in 1995. The first 8C was delivered to an Italian customer in October 2007.

The first 8C Competizione delivered to United States was seen November 2008, the car is using "001 USA" registration plates and it is owned by film director and stock exchange magnate James Glickenhaus. The production of 8C should be completed in the end of 2008.

Country	Number of cars
Italy	84
U.S.A.	84
Germany	81
Japan	69
France	39
United Kingdom	41
Switzerland	35
The Netherlands	10
Australia	3
New Zealand	1
Hong Kong	5
Latvia	1
Others	47
Sum	500

Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione's engine

Racing version

Production numbers of the 8c Indicate that it is a racing homolgation special, with 500 slated for production.

In 2005/2006, the computer game 'Squadra Corse Alfa Romeo' developed by Black Bean Software in conjunction with Alfa Romeo Spa. included two racing versions of the car, another indication of Alfa Romeo's intention to race. Given the car's size and power class as a GT, sports-car races such as Le Mans, Daytona and Sebring are likely deployments by Squadra Corse.

In 2008, the 8c will take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, 24 Hours Nürburgring and Rolex 24 at Daytona endurance races. It is expected that race version chassis will be made by Dallara.

8C Spider

2005 Spider concept

At the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Alfa Romeo released the Alfa 8C Spider, a roadster version of the coupé, with different alloy wheels. The Spider concept was built by Carrozzeria Marazzi. Production of the 8C Spider was confirmed by Sergio Marchionne on September 25, 2007. The Spider will most likely be built in a production run of 500 units and it will cost around €20,000 more than the coupe version.

2008 Spider production

Alfa Romeo 8C Spider

Based on the 8C Competizione. Limited production of 500 units, built by Maserati in Modena. Priced around €180,000. The 8C Spider production version was unveiled during the Geneva Motor Show in 2008.

Alfa Romeo 8 C Spider has claimed top speed of 290|km/h which is slighly lower than the coupe version. The brakes on the Spider are Brembo made carbon-ceramic type. The Spider has a two layer electrically operated fabric made roof.

8C Spider - Press Photo 2008

Rear view - Press Photo 2008

Rear view - Press Photo 2008

The 8C in the United States

The 8C will be sold as Alfa Romeo's returning foray into the United States market, starting in 2009 (hopefully). Alfa Romeo is dedicating 99 Alfa Romeo 8C Competiziones for U.S. market sale.

External links

• 8c.alfaromeo.com
• Official Alfa 8C Competizione website