Limited edition 8C Alfa Romeo Competizione

Green light for fastest Alfa ever:

-Limited edition 8C Competizione
-Priced at 100K pounds
-190mph top speed
-450bhp 4.7 litre V8
-Spearheads Alfa's return to US.

Alfa Romeo will definitely build the 8C Competizione, previously revealed as a concept for a limited edition road car at the 2003 Frankfurt motor show.

The finished version-initially to be offered only as a coupe, was revealed at the Paris show.
The 8C which will oly be available in left hand drive form, is a two seat, lightweight carbonfibre,rear wheel drive coupe powered by a 4.7 litre V8 developing about 450bhp.
It is intended as a flagship Alfa in the tradition of the limited series coachbuilt cars of the 1950s,'60s and '70s, It will cost considerably more in real terms than models like the 1965 Giulia 1600 SS, though it will also be much faster, more sophisticated and exclusive.

The Competizione's powerplant is derived from the same block that is the basis of the V8 engine used by Ferrari (in the F430) and Maserati. However, the unit has been bored out to 4.7 litres, sports Alfa designed cylinder heads and develops around 450bhp. There's no word yet on the car's weight, but it should be very light, given its high crbonfibre content, and structurally very stiff. Expect 0-60mph time below 4.5sec and a top speed of about 190mph. That will make the Competizione the fastest road going Alfa ever.

A strict two-seater, the 8C is clasically styled inside. The intruments are shrouded in Alfa's traditional hooded binnacles, while the centre console, including a beautifully sculpted grab handle, are fashioned from aluminium. A mix of leather and fashionable italian seat trim materials should lend the interior a clean and classy aura.

Although Alfa insiders say the spider version of the car, unveiled last year at the Pebble Beach concours event in California, won't be produced, there's a chance it might if the coupe takes off. Market research for the 8C was carried out in the US in 2005, and the car was so well received that the coupe, which already meets US road regulations, will be offered there, too. But a spider would make even more sense in the states. With the 8C,Alfa will return to North America after a gap of more than a decade. The car is likely to be sold through Maserati dealers.

The 8C should be the first of a series of exotic and exclusive Alfas, which should do much to burnish the firm's reputation. Alfa's long term aim is to offer occasional limited editions in the vein of the 8C, rather like Ferrari has regularly offered limited editions such as the 288 GTO, F40, F50, and Enzo. But no more models will be planned until the success (or otherwise) of the 8C becomes apparent.

The company believes the car's appeal and the strength of the brand will allow it to succeed. Insiders report that there are already orders for it.
In anticipation of building more limited editions in future, Alfa will construct the car within the Fiat Auto group. so while many parts and assemblies will be sub-contracted, the 8C will be put together in a facility at Fiat's Mirafiori plant in Turin.

Other limited-editons Alfas:

-Giulieta SZ, 1960:
After Zagato rebuilt a Sprint Veloce with a restyled, lightweight body, it was given the go ahead to produce a run of replicas named the Sprint Zagato.

-JNR Zagato,1970:
This little two seat sporthatch was designed by Zagato with 1.3 and 1.6 litre engines. Great handling and practical. Only 1100 were built.

-SZ/RZ, 1990:
Dubbed "the monster" due to its looks, the 75-based 3.0 V6 SZ was designed in 19 months and 1000 were made. Convertible was called RZ.