First Impressions: Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Alfa Romeo has been around since 1910.  It has a long history as a automotive production company and racing manufacturer.  Enzo Ferrari worked for Alfa Romeo before creating his own automotive company.  Alfa Romeo did not come to the United States until the mid 1950s when Matt Hoffman imported an Alfa Romeo Giulietta, which he had converted into a spider.  Alfa Romeo then imported more of its cars to America in 1961.  Alfa Romeo stopped importing its vehicles in 1995.  Then in 2008, Alfa Romeo made its return with the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.  

I first saw the Alfa Rome 8C Competizione on June 7, 2010, Classy Chassis: Concours d'Elegance, being held on the floor of Relient Stadium.  In a stadium with Ferraris, Lambos, and Shelby Cobras, like the Veyron, I could not take my eyes off this car.  Along with the Ferrari California, this was one of the most beautiful cars at the event. This is a piece of art with no bad angles on the car.

Powering the 8C is a 4.7L V8 that produces 444 hp and 358 lb-ft of torque.  It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and accelerates to a top speed of 181 mph.  The cost for a car that marks the return of Alfa Romeo to America is $282,000 with all 50 cars imported to America sold in 2007.

The Alfa Romeo 8C competizione was review by Jeremy Clarkson of Top gear, saying that is car is a work of art.  Motorweek also reviewed this car.  Both reviews can be found on Youtube.  This car was drivable in Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit.  Police got the coupe version, (you had to pay to drive it as a racer) and the racers got the spider version.  It is also playable in Test Drive Unlimited 2

Final Thoughts:  It is a work of art.  There are no bad angles on the car.  This is a great car to mark the return of Alfa Romeo in America.  It captures the beauty, passion, and racing heritage of the Alfa Romeo brand.  I cannot wait to see what Alfa Romeo brings over in 2012.

CarJunkie
Photo taken from a camera phone