2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Coupé

2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Coupé

First seen in 'concept car' form at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2003, the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione revived a famous name from the Italian company's illustrious past when it entered production in 2006. The original 8C (eight-cylinder) Alfa engine had been designed in 1931 by the legendary engineer Vittorio Jano and was used to power Alfa Romeo's most prestigious road models, as well as its sports-racing and Grand Prix cars, until the decade's end. Styled by Wolfgang Egger, the modern-day 8C was received with universal acclaim, its gorgeous looks recalling those of Carrozzeria Touring's aerodynamic Alfa sports-racers of the late 1930s, while from the side there was more than a hint of Zagato's original Giulia TZ.

Within a couple of weeks, orders had been received for well over 1,000 cars, despite a UK price tag of £111,000. Alfa, though, stuck by the decision to build only 500 examples of the 8C Competizione coupé but later changed its collective mind and made a further 500 Spider roadsters, making a combined total for both types of 1,000 cars.

The genesis of the 8C graphically illustrates the close links between Italy's premier marques: Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Maserati, all of whom are owned by FIAT. Designed at Alfa Centro Stile in Arese, the 8C used a development of the Maserati Quattroporte double-wishbone suspension (albeit on a shorter-wheelbase chassis) and is powered by a Ferrari-built V8 engine, with final assembly taking place at the Maserati factory in Modena. An enlarged version of that found in the Maserati Quattroporte and GranTurismo, the 4.7-litre V8 produces 450bhp at 7,000rpm and drives via a six-speed, semi-automatic, paddle shift gearbox, which is located immediately ahead of the rear axle in the interests of mass centralisation. The Pirelli P Zero tyres were specially developed for the 20" alloy wheels. As is the norm with 21st Century supercars, the 8C also features switchable performance modes.

The main chassis and its engine/gearbox/suspension sub-frames are steel, with carbon fibre used for the passenger cell and external body panels. Carbon fibre and aluminium both feature in the stylish interior, which is equipped with lightweight, leather-trimmed seats by Poltrona Frau of Turin. Alfa Red or black were the standard exterior colours and there were also various options, some at extra cost.

No one buys an Alfa Romeo, and certainly not one as special as the 8C, without being interested in its performance potential. Alfa claimed a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) time of 4.2 seconds and a top speed of around 290km/h (181mph) despite the fact that an 8C had reached 186mph during testing.

Descriptions and pictures by bonhams