Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Following the concept shown three years ago in Frankfurt and more recently at Villa D'Este and Goodwood, Alfa's latest sports car will make its production debut in Paris this year. Virtually identical to the show car, the 8C Competizione also retains the Maserati-derived 4.7-liter V8, which produces 450PS at 7000rpm.

The interior makes extensive use of composite materials, the two carbon-fibre bucket seats also customizable to suit the owner's physique. Though the body was designed in the Alfa Romeo Style Center, the dynamics benefit from the joint efforts of the Alfa-Maserati Sports Center instead. The coupe, with sales limited to 500 units per annum, will be followed by an open version, both sitting on a shortened Maserati Coupe platform. With a price of around $200,000, the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione will also spearhead the brands re-entry to the North American market.

Related Stories:
Alfa 8C Competitizione concept - Frankfurt 2003
Goodwood Festival of Speed 2006
cardesignnews

Alfa Romeo 8C Spider

We weren't going to publish an article on the new Alfa Romeo 8C Spider, a drop-top version of the gorgeous 8C Competizione which took home Car Design of the Year prize in our 2006 Competition, but we had a change of heart.

There is no special news to report, other than the fact that a dashboard-mounted button now effectively transforms the carbon fiber cockpit of the Alfa 8C into an open top GT cruiser. The new top is built using two layers of fabric to create a weatherproof, acoustically comfortable passenger environment, and it can also be personalized in various colors to match or contrast the car's body color.

Mechanically identical to its coupe sibling, the 8C Spider employs a 4.7-liter V8 engine - producing 450bhp - and a six-speed F1-style paddle shift gearbox to transfer power to the rear wheels. So while there is no real reason, it's still a good excuse to ogle at a car that will likely sell faster than its hardtop sibling. Especially since production is again restricted to 500.

Related Articles:
Car Design of the Year Awards Presented in Geneva
Design Review: Alfa 8C Competizione
cardesignnews

Alfa Romeo MiTo

This is Alfa Romeo's latest compact car, the MiTo. The new car draws its name from the abbreviations of two Italian cities: Milan, the city that brought the car's style into being, and Turin, which will be responsible for its industrial production.

The first new Alfa Romeo to be built since the 8C Competizione, the MiTo borrows many characteristic element from its larger 'halo' sibling: the shape of the frameless side windows, the distinctive frontal treatment, the shape of the headlights and the LED tail lights. The contemporary design is 4060mm long, 1440mm high and 1720mm wide.

Inside, a highly 'personal' dashboard and seats are said to ensure the 'ultimate expression of Italian style' for the interior. It is claimed to be welcoming yet sporty, with top-quality materials and close attention to detail; all wrapped in a compact and dynamic shape.

The new car is expected to be available in European markets by July this year.

source: cardesignnews