Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Spider (2009)
Alfa Romeo unveiled the 8C Competizione Spider at the Geneva Motor Show (March 6-16 2008). The sports car is equipped with the new 4.7 litre 8 cylinder delivering a top power of 450bhp at 7,000rpm, with a peak torque of 480Nm at 4750rpm and a maximum engine speed of 7,500rpm. This engine has been mated to a self-shifting 6-speed gearshift with computerised gear selection via levers behind the steering-wheel, and a self-blocking differential unit. The hooded top of the two seat vehicle is fitted with electro-hydraulic automatic control. Initially, 500 models of the 8C Competizione Spider will be produced, going to the USA, Italy, Germany and Japan.
Alfa 8C Spider debuts
The captivating Alfa 8C Spider will make its debut at The International Geneva Motor Show on 6th March. Like the Alfa 8C Competizione, the Gran Turismo which received resounding global praise, the new convertible will be produced in a limited edition run of just 500.
Designed by the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, the new Spider re-affirms its position as a style icon. Many people regard the Spider’s as being among the most beautiful cars in global automotive history. Cars such as the Giulietta Spider from the 1950s, or the legendary Duetto made famous by ‘The Graduate’ from 1967 with a young Dustin Hoffman. Today, it’s the technologically advanced and beautifully styled Alfa 8C Spider’s turn to take centre stage, and carry the Alfa Romeo legacy into the future.
The new vehicle inherits all the winning features of the coupé version. Starting with the two seater setup, fascinating exterior lines characterised by the sculpted and finely designed bodywork, and of course overall mechanical excellence.
Also inherited from the coupé version is the new 4.7 litre 8 cylinder delivering a top power of 450bhp at 7,000rpm, with a peak torque of 480Nm at 4750rpm and a maximum engine speed of 7,500rpm. This engine has been mated to a self-shifting 6-speed gearshift with computerised gear selection via levers behind the steering-wheel, and a self-blocking differential unit.
The hooded top of the Alfa 8C Spider is composed of two overlapping sheets: the external one is made with a multi-thread textile designed to withstand the elements, whilst the interior has high sound-proofing qualities and is fitted with electro-hydraulic automatic control, controlled via a button on the dashboard.
ALFA ROMEO 8C SPIDER
Following up on the success of the 8C Competizione, Alfa Romeo also created a convertible version. It was the opportunity for another 500 connoisseurs to get their hands on one of the loveliest, most exclusive Alfa Romeo cars of recent years.
The Geneva International Motor Show in March 2008 saw the unveiling of the convertible version of the splendid 8C Competizione supercar: the 8C Spider.Curiously, at its debut the car was in an original white livery instead of the traditional Alfa red.The Alfa Romeo 8C Spider had virtually all its features in common with the coupé version, including the decision to build it in an exclusive limited edition of just 500 units.
It had the same transaxle layout – harking back to the Alfetta and 75 of the ’70s and ’80s – with longitudinal front engine, rear-wheel drive and gearbox mounted on the rear axle, the same 450 horsepower V8 engine and the same six-speed robotised transmission.Given the absence of the roof, torsional rigidity was guaranteed by the distinctive windscreen surround: the glass was secured to the bodywork by a tough but lightweight loop of carbon fibre constructed in a single, monolithic piece.
The exquisitely crafted interior and trims were another distinguishing feature of the Alfa Romeo 8C Spider. The choice of materials used and technical solutions adopted in the cockpit represented Italian design and Alfa Romeo style at their superlative best.
Maintaining the tradition for the brand’s convertibles, the Alfa Romeo 8C Spider was equipped with a lightweight canvas soft-top.
However, reflecting the car’s exclusive status, the choice of materials was also highly unusual. The soft-top was made from two sheets of canvas overlapped in a “Z-fold” pattern: the lining provided soundproofing while the outer sheet ensured perfectprotection from the weather. Opening and closing were via an electrohydraulicsystem with push-button control.
The carbon fibre seats built by Sparco were upholstered with deliciously soft-feeling yet tough full grain leather. The 8C Spider weighed in at about a hundred kilos more than its coupé sister, but performance was unchanged with a top speed of 292 km/h.
