Uh oh, says Maserati.

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[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
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To Alfa fans this could be a dream come true: Alfa Romeo's 2003 Frankfurt show car, 8C Competizione, finally got greenlight for production. This will be Alfa's first V8 sports car since Montreal, and the most exotic Alfa since Tipo 33 Stradale. In fact, its name points to the best breed of pre-war Alfa Romeo racing cars, 8C2300 to 8C2900 series. The car was originally no more than a styling concept, but since Karl-Heinz Kalbfell became CEO of Alfa-Maserati last year, he wanted to build it in small numbers as an image booster to the brand and lead Alfa Romeo back to United States.

[/SIZE][SIZE=-1]To make the small scale production commercially viable, Alfa cleverly utilizes the Maserati coupe platform - a logical choice as Maserati is now managed by Alfa. The car will be produced by Maserati alongside the next generation Maserati Coupe and shares many of its mechanicals, such as the front-mounted V8 and rear-mounted automated manual gearbox. Its 32-valve 90° V8 is a development from the current Maserati 4.2-liter V8, but enlarged to 4691cc - whether Maserati will follow suit is yet to be seen. Power increases from Maserati's 400hp to 450hp at 7000rpm, along with 347 lbft of torque at 4750 rpm (up from 332 lbft). 80 percent of maximum torque will be available from 2000rpm, thanks to a continuous VVT system at the intake camshafts. The engine will also feature lightweight flywheel to ensure instant throttle response.

Like Maserati's Cambiocorsa / DuoSelect, the transaxle gearbox has 6 speeds and operates in 5 modes: normal manual, sport manual, normal auto, sport auto and ice mode. The rear axle is equipped with limited slip differential to handle the tremendous power. If that's not enough, there is still a VDC stability and traction control as a safety net.

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[SIZE=-1]The steel chassis is believed to be derived from the next Maserati Coupe as well. However, it is clothed with a full carbon-fiber body designed by Alfa Romeo Style Centre. This ensure lighter weight and lower center of gravity. The suspensions are all double wishbones plus a toe control link, with forged aluminum arms and hub carriers to reduce weight. They rides on 20-inch wheels wearing 245/35 front and 285/35 rear tires.

Alfa did not mention when the car will go on sale and how many will be built, but the production car to be shown in this month's Paris motor show will undoubtedly stir much interests in the automotive world.
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Source.
All I can say is: Yes! Best looking FR Italian car on the market.
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Toronado
All I can say is: Yes! Best looking FR Italian car on the market.[/font][/size]
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No, this is not the best looking FR Italian car on the market.....

IT'S THE BEST LOOKING ANYTHING ON THE MARKET!!!!

Holy crap, that is the most beautiful car I think I have ever seen. Its strong and sporty, yet very flowing and sexy at the same time. OH so pretty.

And, as weird as this sounds, I kind of hope this DOESN'T come to the US. I certainly can't afford it, so its not like I'd be missing out. And, once you see things like that on the road a few times, they lose the flair and mystique. Its kind of like TVR. I know they aren't the best cars, and over in Europe I'm sure you'd see them on a fairly regular basis. But, if I ever see one, I'll probably crap myself. I would like this sweet Italian to be the same way.

Hilg
 
JNasty4G63
IT'S THE BEST LOOKING ANYTHING ON THE MARKET!!!!
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It's certainly a contender.

And, as weird as this sounds, I kind of hope this DOESN'T come to the US. I certainly can't afford it, so its not like I'd be missing out. And, once you see things like that on the road a few times, they lose the flair and mystique. Its kind of like TVR. I know they aren't the best cars, and over in Europe I'm sure you'd see them on a fairly regular basis. But, if I ever see one, I'll probably crap myself. I would like this sweet Italian to be the same way.
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Nope, TVR's are rare period. I see one regular because someone near me owns one, I never get tired of seeing it though. Other than that one I see other TVR's at a rate of perhaps one a fortnight.
 
live4speed
Nope, TVR's are rare period. I see one regular because someone near me owns one, I never get tired of seeing it though. Other than that one I see other TVR's at a rate of perhaps one a fortnight.
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Well, for a car of that level, I would consider that pretty frequent. I wasn't talking about seeing them as frequently as you see Mondeos and Rovers. Just that, even for a fairly exotic car, they are out there in decent numbers.

Hilg
 
JNasty4G63
Well, for a car of that level, I would consider that pretty frequent. I wasn't talking about seeing them as frequently as you see Mondeos and Rovers. Just that, even for a fairly exotic car, they are out there in decent numbers.

Hilg
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If you live near to (the same town/city as) a TVR dealer, you'll see more than if you live where there isn't one - if that doesn't sound obvious.

Where i grew up and where i live now have both had TVR dealers at some point, although i'm pretty sure they've both (HHC & Hillfoot) closed now. When they were still trading you'd see plenty of TVRs around, now they've closed you just don't see as many. They're not as every day as a Boxter or even a 911 but they're not uncommon. In fact i saw a nice purple Tuscan only an hour ago.
 
TheCracker
They're not as every day as a Boxter or even a 911 but they're not uncommon.
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Exactly. Thats what I meant. If this Alfa were sold here in the states, I'm sure over time, I would see them a decent ammount. But, not seeing them except in magazines and on the net makes it that much more amazing and exotic to me.

Hilg
 
JNasty4G63
Well, for a car of that level, I would consider that pretty frequent. I wasn't talking about seeing them as frequently as you see Mondeos and Rovers. Just that, even for a fairly exotic car, they are out there in decent numbers.

Hilg
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I see Lamborghini's and Ferrari's far more frequently than TVR's, that's including the one I see almost every day. But that's because of where I live. In Blackpool you'll likely see TVR's daily, in Mansfield I've never seen one any time I've been over there. TVR only builds about 400 cars a year and not all of them stay in the UK. Like TheCracker said, they arn't uncommon to the extent that you almost never see one, but at the same time the UK is only a small place, and seeing one every fortnight in the UK could well translate to every so many months or even one every year or two should you take thoes 400 and odd cars per year to the states.
 
I'm suspecting another "TIM" car.

Nice but dim.
 
I think Alfa will make thi s ajoy to drive, probably not as fast as it's figures suggest it should be but I think in terms of driving pleasure Alfa will hit the nail on the head. Regardless of that, mostpeople who would buy this will probably be buying it for it's exclusivity and looks, not track performance. At the end of the day this car is a work of art, not a technological landmark.
 
An FR V8 Alfa sounds great to me. 👍

As for the styling, I thought I was going to be the odd man out until I read Poverty's post. :lol: It certainly isn't an ugly car, but it isn't the greatest thing to ever grace this blue planet, either. It's just a neat, unique, odd-looking little car. One that looks way too much like an unfinished concept, but decent nonetheless.

First Aston Martins, now this...I honestly don't understand what you people see in them. :confused:
 
Wolfe2x7
An FR V8 Alfa sounds great to me. 👍

As for the styling, I thought I was going to be the odd man out until I read Poverty's post. :lol: It certainly isn't an ugly car, but it isn't the greatest thing to ever grace this blue planet, either. It's just a neat, unique, odd-looking little car. One that looks way too much like an unfinished concept, but decent nonetheless.

First Aston Martins, now this...I honestly don't understand what you people see in them. :confused:
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In the interests of curiosty, could you give me an example of a car that you think is so beautiful you'd dribble at the mere thought?

In the meantime, that Alfa... certainly a gorgeous car.
 
Roo
In the interests of curiosty, could you give me an example of a car that you think is so beautiful you'd dribble at the mere thought?
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I second that. Please let us in on the Wolfe standard, so we can poo-poo it :p
 
Alright, commence the poo-pooing. :lol:

The most beautiful car in the world:


A couple of runners-up:



Also, note that I like to distinguish between cars that are "beautiful" and cars that are "handsome." For example, I think most BMWs are handsome, but not beautiful by any means.
 
Wolfe2x7
Alright, commence the poo-pooing. :lol:

The most beautiful car in the world:


A couple of runners-up:



Also, note that I like to distinguish between cars that are "beautiful" and cars that are "handsome." For example, I think most BMWs are handsome, but not beautiful by any means.
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Pooooo!

Saw a 360 this morning, strangely. It's nice, but not the best. Still, each to their own :) And I do like the RX7.
 
Toronado
Come on Wolfe! The 360 over the 348/F355? Crazy! :sly:
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I like the 355 better than the 360, and would probably take it over the Modena, but the Modena is more beautiful. The 355 strays a bit more onto the "handsome" side of the equation, as do most older cars that I love. :)
 
360's are okay but they arn't beautiful at all, they're meerly okay looking in a kind of odd but okay way. They are beaten by a large number of cars, notably this, Aston Martins, the Pugeot 406 coupe and every TVR on sale today.
 
Not a fan of the ass end of this car at all. It is, however, an impressive looking car. Alfa Romeo sure hit the nail on the head with this one. 👍
 
Looks alright. But the most important thing is if Alfa builds it you know it's going to be a blast to drive. Approval rating of 90%.
 

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