11/09/2010. This car is not a new model but it is a rare model a limited edition of just 500 and certainly the most beautiful car to emerge from the Alfa stable in recent years. We were fortunate to stumble upon this model in the showroom of Romans in Surrey. Without doubt it is in our top ten of desirable cars.

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. The name refers to the 8 Cylinder (Cilindro in Italian) engine (8C) and Alfa Romeo’s racing pedigree (Competizione, Italian for ‘Competition’)
The lines of the twin seater are meant to echo the styling of Alfas of the 1950s and 1960s, and the “Competizione” name is a reference to the 1948 6C 2500 Competizione, which competed in the 1949 and 1950 Mille Miglia race and came third both times.

PowertrainThe car uses a modified Maserati platform and powertrain (Maserati 4200, GranTurismo) and features a Ferrari/Maserati derived 90 degree cross-plane wet sump lubricated 4.7-litre V8 assembled by Ferrari. The top engine performance figures may be summarized as a maximum power of 331 kilowatts (450 PS) at 7000 revolutions per minute, 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.[12] The V8 engine has variable timing in intake valves and compression ratio of 11.3.

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 Wet modes. The gearbox can shift in 175 milliseconds when using Sport mode. 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 32 metres (105.0 ft), when travelling at an initial speed of 97 kilometres per hour (60 mph).

The official top speed is announced to be 292 kilometres per hour (181 mph) but it might be higher, with estimations that it could be around 306 kilometres per hour (190 mph) according to the Road & Track magazine. An Alfa Romeo engineer also stated that it is faster than the announced top speed.

8C at 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Specifications

Top speed 292 km/h (181 mph)

0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) 4.2 seconds

1/4 mile (~400 m)12.4 seconds @ 115.4 mph (185.7 km/h)

Type V8

Displacement 4.7 L (4691 cc) (286.8 cu in)

Power 331 kW (450 PS; 444 hp) @ 7000 rpm

Torque 480 N·m (350 lb·ft) @ 4750 rpm

Lateral Acceleration (200 feet (61 m) skidpad) 1.02g