Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Infobox Automobile


name = Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
manufacturer = Alfa Romeo
parent_company = Fiat Group
assembly = Modena, Italy (Maserati)Cite web|url=http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/new_car_reviews/article2690495.ece|title=Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione|accessdate=2007-11-18|work=driving.timesonline.co.uk]
production = 2007-present
class = Sports car
layout = FR layout
body_style = 2-door coupé
engine = Auto L|4.7 V8
transmission = 6-speed Sequential manual
wheelbase = Auto mm|2646Cite web|url=http://www.autobild.de/artikel/Themen-Testberichte-Hier-kommt-das-Alfa-Tier_437990.html|title=Fahrbericht Alfa 8C Competizione — AUTO BILD 42/2007 — 23.10.2007|accessdate=2007-11-18|work=autobild.de De icon]
length = Auto mm|4381
width = Auto mm|1894
height = Auto mm|1341
front_track =
rear_track =
weight = Auto kg|1585
fuel_capacity= Convert|88|L|usgal impgal|0|abbr=on
front_track =
rear_track =
predecessor = Alfa Romeo SZ
successor =
related = Maserati GranTurismo
similar = Audi R8
Ferrari F430
Maserati GranTurismo
designer = Wolfgang Egger

The Alfa Romeo Competizione is a sports car produced by Italian automaker Alfa Romeo. It was first presented as a concept car at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show and later released for sale for the 2007 model year.

2003 concept car

The 8C Competizione was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2003. The lines of the twin seater are meant to echo the styling of Alfas of the 1930s and 1940s, and the "Competizione" name is a reference to the 1948 6C 2500 Competizione,Cite web|url=http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/202990/alfa_8c_competizione.html|title=Alfa 8C Competizione|accessdate=2007-09-17|work=evo.co.uk] which competed in the 1949 and 1950 Mille Miglia race and came third both times. It was in the latter of these two races that the car was driven by Juan-Manuel Fangio and Augusto Zanardi. It won the 1950 Targa Florio. A 3.0 litre prototype was built but not produced. These 6C 2500 models were among the last vehicles with links to the pre-war cars.Cite web|url=http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/1729/Alfa-Romeo-6C-2500-Competizione.html|title=Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Competizione|accessdate=2007-09-17|work=ultimatecarpage.com]

2007 production version

During the Mondial de l'Automobile 2006, Alfa Romeo announced the production of a limited series of 500 units of the 8C Competizione. The production version is very similar to the concept, with the biggest difference to the exterior being the rear-hinged hood.Cite web|url=http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/206856/alfa_8c.html|title=Alfa 8C Passion show|accessdate=2007-09-17|work=evo.co.uk] The car came in four colours:8C Red, Competition Red, black or yellow.Cite web|url=http://news.windingroad.com/car-buying/we-drive-the-alfa-8c-competizione/|title=We Drive the Alfa 8C Competizione|accessdate=2007-12-02|work=windingroad.com] The bodyshell is made of carbon fibre, produced by ATR Group.The carbon fibre body is fitted to a steel chassis, made by Italian company ITCA Produzione. The final assembly takes place at theMaserati factory in Modena, Italy.Cite web|url=http://www.italiaspeed.com/2008/motor_shows/geneva/alfa_romeo/8c_spider/0503.html|title=05.03.2008 ALFA 8C SPIDER PRESENTED IN GENEVA|accessdate=2008-03-06|work=italiaspeed.com/2008/motor_shows/geneva]

Powertrain

The car uses a modified Maserati platform and powertrain (Maserati Quattroporte, GranTurismo) and features a Ferrari/Maserati derived 90° cross-plane dry-sump lubricated 4.7-litre V8 assembled by Ferrari.Cite web|url=http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/driving/new_car_reviews/article2690495.ece|title=Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione|accessdate=2007-11-18|work=driving.timesonline.co.uk] The top engine performance figures may be summarized as a maximum power of 331 kilowatts (450 PS) at 7000 rpm, a peak torque of 480 newton metres (354 lbf·ft) at 4750 rpm (80% at 2500 rpm) with an engine redline of 7500 rpm and rev limiter of 7600 rpm.Cite web|url=http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/download/0108_Alfa8c.pdf|title=Road & Track|accessdate=2007-12-02|work=roadandtrack.com] The V8 engine has variable timing in intake valves and compression ratio of11.3.Cite web|url=http://www.automobilemag.com/features/0803_made_in_maranello/techtonics.html|title=Made in Maranello: Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, Ferrari 430 Scuderia, and Maserati GranTurismo|accessdate=2008-04-04|work=automobilemag.com]

The six–speed transaxle gearbox has computerized gear selection by means of levers behind the steering wheel and may be used in Manual-Normal; Manual-Sport; Automatic-Normal; Automatic-Sport and Ice modes. The gearbox can shift in 175 milliseconds when using Sport mode.Cite web|url=http://magazine.windingroad.com/windingroad/200801/?u1=texterity|title=Anything but anonymous|accessdate=2007-12-17|work=magazine.windingroad.com] The 8C also has a limited slip differential.

Performance

It is fitted with specially developed 20 inch tyres: 245/35 at the front and 285/35 at the rear, fitted on perforated rims in fluid moulded aluminium. The 8C brakes have been called "phenomenal" by Road & Track magazine, with a stopping distance of Convert|32|m|ft|1, when travelling at an initial speed of convert|97|km/h|mph.Cite web|url=http://www.roadandtrack.com/assets/download/0108_Alfa8c.pdf|title=Road & Track|accessdate=2007-12-02|work=roadandtrack.com] The official top speed is announced to be convert|292|km/h|mi/h but it might be higher, with estimations that it could be around convert|306|km/h|mi/h according to the Road & Track magazine.Cite web|url=http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=6168|title=Road Test: 2008 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione|accessdate=2007-12-02|work=roadandtrack.com/article] An Alfa Romeo engineer also stated that it is faster than announced top speed. [cite video |people=Mr.Domenico Martino (engineer> |date2=2008-01-21 |month2= |year2= |title=Me in Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione ... |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1vciNbpys0 |format= |medium=Motion picture |publisher=9FFturboS |location= |accessdate=2008-01-23 |time= |quote=192 this is just we declare, the car is faster... ]

References

External links

* [http://www.alfaromeo.com/8c Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione]
* [http://www.alfaromeo.com/8cspider Alfa Romeo 8C Spider]