by Michael Gauthier November 27, 2008 6:57 PM
Filed Under: Alfa Romeo, European
After nearly 14 years and numerous rumors of a return, Alfa Romero has returned to the United States. Leading the charge is a fleet of 85 8C Competizione's with the first having just been delivered to James Glickenhaus in Connecticut.
The beautiful 8C Competizione is powered by a 4.7-liter V8 engine which produces 450 bhp and 470 Nm of torque. It comes equipped with a 6 speed paddle-shifted gearbox, 20-inch tires, and a carbon-fiber body.
Production is limited to 500 units, and the remaining 84 individuals in the US who have already ordered one should receive their new car by the end of the year. Those unfortunate enough to miss out on the chance of owning the 8C Competizione might want to look into ordering the 8C Spider which is also limited to 500 units.
The first Alfa 8C Competizione destined for the US market has arrived in Connecticut (USA). The handover ceremony took place at "Miller Motorcars" where the owner picked up the glamorous car: his name is James Glickenhaus and he is one of the greatest car collectors in the world.
Glickenhaus declared himself particularly proud of being the first American customer to receive an Alfa Romeo. Immediately after the official handover of the keys, the customer carried out a road test in order to appreciate the main technical and dynamic features of his Alfa 8C Competizione.
With a limited production of five hundred units, the supercar has been designed by Centro Stile Alfa Romeo (the Alfa Romeo Style Centre) and is remarkable for its moulded surfaces that are the ideal attire for Alfa Romeo's engineering and mechanical excellence: a slender line that expresses all the beauty of a veritable piece of poetry in motion that harks back to the brand's glorious past while also carrying forward its attributes of engineering and emotion into the future.
The Alfa 8C Competizione is equipped with a mighty 4.7 litre 8 cylinder engine that develops 450 bhp, teamed with a 6 speed robotised gearbox and immediately turns heads due to its unmistakable Italian elegance, an absolutely unique and unrepeatable style that promises the satisfaction of a sporty drive with full respect for Alfa Romeo tradition.
The other 84 examples of the Alfa 8C Competizione destined for US clients will have been delivered by the end of the year.
Other Alfas could do well in the US too... like the 159 or even the MiTo. They're said to be planned for the american market, but these days, you never know.
But once Alfa hits the american shores, why not consider bringing other cars, like the Fiat 500, the future Topolino or even the Lancia Delta...
I think this car is gorgeous but for some reason, it reminds me a little of the inferiorly built Shelby Series 1. I've never really liked the Alfa grill design but it works beautifully on this car.
oh dear. alfa has ideas above its station. they should sort out their own back yard in europe before inflicting their substandard cars in terms of quality and reliability, not to mention the carefree attitude of the dealers. read the owners reports in the uk and you'll see they are woefully bad. and this from a luxury auto maker?! give me a break!
