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.

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

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.

The 8C in the United States

The 8C will be sold as Alfa Romeo's returning foray into the United States market, starting in 2008. Alfa Romeo is dedicating 99 Alfa Romeo 8C Competiziones for U.S. market sale.

External links

• 8c.alfaromeo.com