Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
Alfa Romeo returned to the United States with a bang in 2007 with the 8C Competizione. After an absence from the market of over a decade, Alfas were once more free to roam the roads, from sea to shining sea. And what a model they chose to make their return with: the 8C Competizione was the first proper sports car produced by the Italian marque since the RZ, and the first coupé since the GTV.
Packing a 4.7L Ferrari-derived V8, it was clear that Alfa meant business, and wanted to win the love of exotic car aficionados, expanding their market from the young guns who loved the Alfasud. This time it was going to take on the big boys. They may not have the brand recognition of Lamborghini, or the history of Mercedes-Benz, but let me tell you this: they did a fantastic job.
Poured into a unique, slick body designed in-house, the 8C Competizione looked light years ahead of the competition. It looked individual. The driver sits far, far back along the car, emulating the look of vintage racers of times past. Only an Italian company would put this car out. With its sweeping lines and gentle curves, it wouldn’t look out of place on a Milan catwalk.
Adding to its individuality, it had an extremely limited production run – just 500 were made, and of that 500, just 90 made their way to the United States. Joining this exclusive club at the time would have set you back $259,000, and thanks to its limited run, you’re not going to be getting a bargain any time soon.
So you pay your thousands, sink into the leather-covered bucket seats, push your key into the aluminum dash, and turn, fresh with anticipation. The driving experience lives up to those anticipatory heart flutters with gusto – as well as tearing forward to a top speed of around 190mph (the official top speed is 181mph, but is thought to be a fair bit higher,) the car also takes variable road surfaces in its stride, handling bumps and roughness with aplomb.
The 8C gets to 60mph in 4.2 seconds, equalling the Porsche 911 Targa 4S of the same year, and pipping the 2006 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder to the sacred speedo mark by a third of a second. Gear shifts are met with gloriously exuberant pops and barks, and the cornering abilities and razor-sharp steering are everything you’d expect from a European racer.
You’ll likely never see another one of these on the road, so if you value exclusivity and individuality, as well as the pure experience offered by Italian marques, then you will love this machine.
Related: Alfa Romeo Giulia: The New Italian Stallion
There is one caveat to the 8C: it’s for drivers who love the driving experience, not for someone who wants a relaxed cruiser. If you want a serious driving car, and are good enough to handle it, you’re going to have a lot of fun with this machine. If you’d rather just get from A to B, then you’ll need to look elsewhere. But I know a lot of readers here love to drive, love to cruise, and love a machine that rewards skill. If that’s you, you’re going to love this Italian stallion.
