When you're hot, you're hot. Resurgent Italian automaker Alfa Romeo has earmarked the fabulous Alfa 8C Competizione concept car that debuted at the 2003 Frankfurt show for production.
Showing that he's a genuine car guy, new Alfa CEO Antonio Barravalle says, "We have cut the budget for our advertising campaign and will do the 8C instead, because it is a perfect way to promote the Alfa brand." We couldn't agree more.
The plan is to debut the production version at the Paris show in late September, where the company will start to take orders for a limited production run of 500 coupes. Apparently Barravalle is also considering a future Spider version.
Speculation is that the new 8C will follow the carbon fiber body/spaceframe chassis construction of the concept car, with a 440 hp V8 powerplant based on the current Ferrari-Maserati unit. More pictures of Alfa's road-going glory after the jump.
[Sources: 4Car, Alfa Romeo]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Eric @ Mar 6th 2006 11:41AM
Gorgeous! Any of those 500 planned to come to the US?
Joel @ Mar 6th 2006 11:48AM
Gorgeous. Does anyone think it looks a modern version of a Daytona Coupe?
DJ @ Mar 6th 2006 11:50AM
Great, one more reason to HATE the fact that Alfa's aren't sold in the US!
Source1 @ Mar 6th 2006 12:03PM
DAYUM!
FireSermon @ Mar 6th 2006 12:05PM
Sweet. I'm gonna have to start saving up my pennies!
Steve S @ Mar 6th 2006 12:06PM
Another carrot on a stick in front of the donkey.
kevin @ Mar 6th 2006 12:26PM
the professionals did a good job of fixing the students' original design. but i always liked the rear treatment.
JZeke @ Mar 6th 2006 12:47PM
kevin this isnt the same thing as the "Diva" concept at Geneva this year. This prototype is almost 2 years old, and is a product of the Alfa design team.
Pinkerton @ Mar 6th 2006 1:00PM
#2 - Yes, Ferrari definitely comes to mind, I can see some Daytona in that design.
The flowing rear fender, angled rear end, and single tail lights closely resemble Daytona's predecessor, the 275GTB.
http://nikkeibp.jp/jp/report/shared/ishi20050325-33.jpg
Jeff Crew @ Mar 6th 2006 1:06PM
Side profile is very much a C-6 Vette with better details and overall styling. This is one beautiful ride. See what I mean by GM getting out too soon... they must have known about these designs before they decided not to buy out the group. Now the FIAT group is on a roll... go figure. GM has bad luck timing things like this unfortunately.
mike_in_dayton @ Mar 6th 2006 1:07PM
Back in 2001, Alfa was slated to re-enter the US market in 2006 (due to new models and DOT crash testing - why go through the expense of certifying a car that is scheduled to be replaced next year)?
Well, here we are in 2006. GM sold their stake in FIAT and the dealer network disappeared.
And having owned a Alfa, if I bought another one, it wouldn't be my daily driver.
Steve Schaeffer @ Mar 6th 2006 1:46PM
Folks, it is taking many of its cues from Alfa Romeo's own Tipo 33 sports racer from the late '60's. Check it out!
joe @ Mar 6th 2006 1:54PM
Stunning.
milos radulovic @ Mar 6th 2006 2:23PM
There are better pictures (more life-like) at this link
http://www.eurocarblog.com/post/262/alfa-romeo-to-build-the-beautiful-8c-competizione#show_comments
DKB_SATX @ Mar 6th 2006 3:03PM
I think #11 has it right... without the ready-made dealer network GM could have offered, it would be very hard for Alfa to get back into this country. I was sorely tempted to buy a 147 when I was working in Italy (it was introduced during the time I was there) but quality questions, availability of a brand-new model and my own doubts about how long I'd be there kept me from springing for it. Still, they make some lovely, desirable machines and this one is the best yet.
SabreSlash @ Mar 6th 2006 4:23PM
Simply irresistible!!! That's one sweet ride. Now I know what happens when you cross a Corvette C6 with a Panoz Esperante! Violla, the Alfa 8C! All jokes aside, Alfa did a nice job. It's too bad that we won't see one on this side of the Atlantic. Oh well, one can always hope!
Philip Dunlop @ Mar 6th 2006 5:02PM
Yup, it really is a thing of beauty. I doubt I'll even get to see many of them, and I am in Europe. I find it hard to believe they're only going to build 500! But I guess if it's popular enough...
But the proportions and the lines are just brilliant. Doesn't really fit in with any of the rest of Alfa's current design aesthetic, but when something is that beautiful, then it doesn't matter. Not to say Alfa's other cars at the moment aren't beautiful, too. Apart from the 166.
ZoomZoomin' @ Mar 6th 2006 7:08PM
It's hotter than sex...no doubt. Alfa has been on a roll lately...I'm absolutly loving some of their designs.
len simpson @ Mar 6th 2006 7:39PM
why does it have to have that funny looking little grill?
mike_in_dayton @ Mar 6th 2006 9:36PM
len - if you have to ask.....