# Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
The **Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione** is a two-seat, rear-wheel-drive sports coupé produced by [Alfa Romeo](https://www.edgepedia.org/alfa-romeo) in a limited run of 500 numbered cars from 2007 to 2008, with final assembly at Maserati's Modena factory and a Ferrari-built 4.7-liter [V8 engine](https://www.edgepedia.org/v8-engine).[1](https://www.media.stellantis.com/uk-en/alfa-romeo/press/storie-alfa-romeo-episode-9-the-8c-competizione-a-supercar-homage-to-tradition-with-one-eye-on-the-future) • [2](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/road-tests/alfa-romeo-8c-competizone-399116.html) It was Alfa Romeo's return to rear-wheel drive and to a front-engine, rear-transaxle layout, and it served as the brand's flagship and stylistic reference for the models that followed it.[1](https://www.media.stellantis.com/uk-en/alfa-romeo/press/storie-alfa-romeo-episode-9-the-8c-competizione-a-supercar-homage-to-tradition-with-one-eye-on-the-future)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Concept car unveiled at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show; series production approved by Sergio Marchionne in early 2006[1](https://www.media.stellantis.com/uk-en/alfa-romeo/press/storie-alfa-romeo-episode-9-the-8c-competizione-a-supercar-homage-to-tradition-with-one-eye-on-the-future) |
| Production | 500 coupés, all sold before production began, from 1,400 orders received worldwide in a few weeks[1](https://www.media.stellantis.com/uk-en/alfa-romeo/press/storie-alfa-romeo-episode-9-the-8c-competizione-a-supercar-homage-to-tradition-with-one-eye-on-the-future) |
| Engine | Front, longitudinal 90° V8, 4691 cc, 450 hp at 7000 rpm and 480 Nm at 4750 rpm, built by Ferrari[3](https://www.cert.museoalfaromeo.com/en-us/collezione/Pages/8C-COMPETIZIONE.aspx) • [4](https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2009-alfra-romeo-8c-competizione) |
| Transmission | Rear-mounted six-speed robotized sequential gearbox with paddle shifters, transaxle layout[3](https://www.cert.museoalfaromeo.com/en-us/collezione/Pages/8C-COMPETIZIONE.aspx) |
| Performance | Top speed 292 km/h; 0–100 km/h in 4.2 seconds per Alfa Romeo press material, 4.8 seconds per the official brochure[3](https://www.cert.museoalfaromeo.com/en-us/collezione/Pages/8C-COMPETIZIONE.aspx) • [5](https://www.stellantisheritage.com/content/dam/heritage/images/heritage/auto-in-vendita/auto/alfa-romeo-8c-competizione/brochure/Brochure_Alfa_Romeo_Spider_ENG.pdf) |
| Chassis | Pressed steel structural elements with carbonfibre body panels; double wishbone suspension front and rear[3](https://www.cert.museoalfaromeo.com/en-us/collezione/Pages/8C-COMPETIZIONE.aspx) |
| Design | Wolfgang Egger, Alfa Romeo Centro Stile[5](https://www.stellantisheritage.com/content/dam/heritage/images/heritage/auto-in-vendita/auto/alfa-romeo-8c-competizione/brochure/Brochure_Alfa_Romeo_Spider_ENG.pdf) |
## From concept to production
Alfa Romeo presented the 8C Competizione as a concept at the 60th Frankfurt International Motor Show on 9 September 2003, alongside the new Alfa 166, the Alfa GT, and the revised 156 and Sportwagon.[6](https://www.media.stellantis.com/em-en/alfa-romeo/press/world-preview-the-alfa-romeo-8c-competizione-a-sports-car-that-delivers-authentic-emotions) The concept used a 4.2-liter supercharged V8 producing over 400 bhp at 7000 rpm, with a six-speed manual gearbox at the rear axle and a top speed above 300 km/h.[6](https://www.media.stellantis.com/em-en/alfa-romeo/press/world-preview-the-alfa-romeo-8c-competizione-a-sports-car-that-delivers-authentic-emotions) The public reaction was strong enough that the company's leadership initially halted the project, and then reversed course: in early 2006 Fiat group chief executive [Sergio Marchionne](https://www.edgepedia.org/sergio-marchionne) gave the signal to launch series production, and Alfa Romeo Centro Stile under Wolfgang Egger redefined the original design in eight months for the production version shown at the [Paris Motor Show](https://www.edgepedia.org/paris-motor-show).[1](https://www.media.stellantis.com/uk-en/alfa-romeo/press/storie-alfa-romeo-episode-9-the-8c-competizione-a-supercar-homage-to-tradition-with-one-eye-on-the-future) • [7](https://www.quattroruote.it/speciali/podio-dei-capolavori/stile/alfa-romeo-8c-competizione.html)
The name carries two historical references. "8C" is the designation of the eight-cylinder cars designed by Vittorio Jano, which won races worldwide in the 1930s, including four consecutive [Le Mans](https://www.edgepedia.org/le-mans) wins and three [Mille Miglia](https://www.edgepedia.org/mille-miglia) victories; "Competizione" was the name of the 6C 2500 that [Juan Manuel Fangio](https://www.edgepedia.org/juan-manuel-fangio) drove in the 1950 Mille Miglia.[1](https://www.media.stellantis.com/uk-en/alfa-romeo/press/storie-alfa-romeo-episode-9-the-8c-competizione-a-supercar-homage-to-tradition-with-one-eye-on-the-future)
## Design
The bodywork quotes Alfa Romeo's own back catalog. The front end recalls the 33 Stradale, whose headlamps sit slightly above the bonnet line; the rear takes the truncated tail of the 1961 Giulietta SZ and the round light clusters of the Giulia TZ; and the central shield flanked by two lateral air intakes, the "trilobo" face identified in the 1930s, returned to a leading role on the 8C and has since featured on all subsequent Alfa Romeo models.[1](https://www.media.stellantis.com/uk-en/alfa-romeo/press/storie-alfa-romeo-episode-9-the-8c-competizione-a-supercar-homage-to-tradition-with-one-eye-on-the-future)
Alfa Romeo's management required the production car to look identical to the 2003 concept, which constrained the engineers; Alfa published no drag coefficient, and the company said only that the flat floor and the management of air below it press the car onto the road at speed.[2](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/road-tests/alfa-romeo-8c-competizone-399116.html) The interior uses carbonfibre bucket seats trimmed in leather, aluminum trim milled from solid blocks, and aluminum pedals, with almost no visible plastic.[2](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/road-tests/alfa-romeo-8c-competizone-399116.html)
## Engineering
The 8C is a joint product of three Fiat-group marques. The 4.7-liter V8 is built by Ferrari and is related to the V8 used in the [Maserati GranTurismo](https://www.edgepedia.org/maserati-granturismo) and Quattroporte, itself derived from the block design of the Ferrari 360 Modena; Maserati supplies much of the hardware and carries out final assembly at its Modena factory.[2](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/road-tests/alfa-romeo-8c-competizone-399116.html) • [8](https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a17012205/2009-alfa-romeo-8c-competizione-first-drive-review/) The engine produces 450 hp at 7000 rpm and 480 Nm (354 lb ft) of torque at 4750 rpm, a torque figure higher than the [Ferrari F430](https://www.edgepedia.org/ferrari-f430)'s.[3](https://www.cert.museoalfaromeo.com/en-us/collezione/Pages/8C-COMPETIZIONE.aspx) • [2](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/road-tests/alfa-romeo-8c-competizone-399116.html)
**Layout and structure.** The car follows the transaxle scheme of the Alfetta and 75: the engine is front-longitudinal, the six-speed robotized sequential gearbox is mounted with the differential at the rear axle, and drive is to the rear wheels.[3](https://www.cert.museoalfaromeo.com/en-us/collezione/Pages/8C-COMPETIZIONE.aspx) • [9](https://www.stellantisheritage.com/it-it/heritage/storie/alfa-romeo-8c-competizione) The main chassis and its engine, gearbox, and suspension subframes are steel, with carbon fiber used for the passenger cell and external body panels.[10](https://images1.bonhams.com/original?src=Images%2Flive%2F2019-07%2F29%2FS-25221-0-7.pdf) Suspension is independent double wishbones with coil springs and anti-roll bars at both axles, a development of the [Maserati Quattroporte](https://www.edgepedia.org/maserati-quattroporte)'s design on a shorter wheelbase of 2645 mm.[3](https://www.cert.museoalfaromeo.com/en-us/collezione/Pages/8C-COMPETIZIONE.aspx) • [10](https://images1.bonhams.com/original?src=Images%2Flive%2F2019-07%2F29%2FS-25221-0-7.pdf) [Motor Trend](https://www.edgepedia.org/motor-trend) measured a 50/50 front/rear weight distribution, with the engine entirely behind the front axle and the transaxle ahead of the rear axle.[11](https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2009-alfa-romeo-8c-competizione-first-test)
Published weight figures differ: the Alfa Romeo museum lists 1585 kg, while the official brochure gives 1490 kg.[3](https://www.cert.museoalfaromeo.com/en-us/collezione/Pages/8C-COMPETIZIONE.aspx) • [5](https://www.stellantisheritage.com/content/dam/heritage/images/heritage/auto-in-vendita/auto/alfa-romeo-8c-competizione/brochure/Brochure_Alfa_Romeo_Spider_ENG.pdf)
## Performance and road tests
Alfa Romeo's press material quotes 0 to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds and a top speed of 292 km/h, while the official brochure states 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds.[1](https://www.media.stellantis.com/uk-en/alfa-romeo/press/storie-alfa-romeo-episode-9-the-8c-competizione-a-supercar-homage-to-tradition-with-one-eye-on-the-future) • [3](https://www.cert.museoalfaromeo.com/en-us/collezione/Pages/8C-COMPETIZIONE.aspx) • [5](https://www.stellantisheritage.com/content/dam/heritage/images/heritage/auto-in-vendita/auto/alfa-romeo-8c-competizione/brochure/Brochure_Alfa_Romeo_Spider_ENG.pdf) The Independent's road test recorded 182 mph and a 0–62 mph time of 4.2 seconds, noting that the 8C outpaces the Ferrari F430 to 62 mph but that the Ferrari has the higher top speed, probably owing to superior aerodynamics.[2](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/road-tests/alfa-romeo-8c-competizone-399116.html)
The six-speed paddle-shift gearbox is not fast by modern standards: shifts take about 0.2 seconds in Sport mode and 0.4 seconds in [Normal mode](https://www.edgepedia.org/normal-mode), where the Ferrari F430's F1 gearbox is nearly four times faster than the 8C's unit.[11](https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2009-alfa-romeo-8c-competizione-first-test) • [4](https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2009-alfra-romeo-8c-competizione) Motor Trend's instrumented test of a 2009 car returned 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, a quarter mile of 12.8 seconds at 112.5 mph, 60-to-0 braking in 101 feet, and 0.94 g of lateral grip, and noted a lack of front-end bite on the figure-eight course despite the on-paper weight balance.[11](https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2009-alfa-romeo-8c-competizione-first-test) Reviewers consistently praised the engine's sound and the cabin's craftsmanship while finding the steering short on feel; The Independent called the car "slightly flawed, then, but hugely desirable".[2](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/road-tests/alfa-romeo-8c-competizone-399116.html) • [4](https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2009-alfra-romeo-8c-competizione)
## Variants and later developments
**8C Spider.** Alfa Romeo followed the coupé with an open-top Spider launched in 2009, of which 320 were produced.[12](https://www.scuderiadelportello.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/SDP_CARS_ENG_2021.pdf) • [13](https://www.fcaheritage.com/content/dam/heritage/images/heritage/auto-in-vendita/auto/alfa-romeo-8c-spider/brochure/Brochure_Alfa_Romeo_Spider_ENG.pdf)
**8C Competizione M.** The Italian specialist Officine Fioravanti offers a restomod conversion that replaces the original robotized gearbox with a manual transmission, at a cost of about €60,000 for the gearbox conversion and around €150,000 for full preparation; electronic remapping without the protections that preserved the robotized gearbox raises output to 460 CV, and the suspension is revised with electronically controlled adjustable Öhlins dampers.[14](https://it.motor1.com/reviews/743079/alfa-romeo-8c-manuale-prova/) • [15](https://www.quattroruote.it/news/primo_contatto/2024/11/26/officine_fioravanti_alfa_romeo_8c_competizione_caratteristiche_prova_guida_video_.html)
## Legacy and collector market
The 8C Competizione summarized the classic canons of Alfa Romeo style and became a reference for the models that followed it, including the MiTo, Giulietta, and the compact 4C supercar.[1](https://www.media.stellantis.com/uk-en/alfa-romeo/press/storie-alfa-romeo-episode-9-the-8c-competizione-a-supercar-homage-to-tradition-with-one-eye-on-the-future) In 2010 an 8C Competizione featured on the [Goodwood Festival of Speed](https://www.edgepedia.org/goodwood-festival-of-speed)'s main sculpture display alongside an Alfa Romeo P2 Grand Prix car.[10](https://images1.bonhams.com/original?src=Images%2Flive%2F2019-07%2F29%2FS-25221-0-7.pdf)
As a collector car it has appreciated well above its original price of roughly $230,000 to $240,000.[11](https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2009-alfa-romeo-8c-competizione-first-test) • [4](https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2009-alfra-romeo-8c-competizione) Hagerty's price guide for a 2008 coupé in #3 (Good) condition stood at $254,000 in October 2026, up 22.1 percent year on year, with the most recent recorded auction sale at $315,500 in August 2026.[16](https://www.hagerty.com/valuation-tools/alfa%20romeo/8c/2008/2008-alfa%20romeo-8c) Classic.com lists the highest recorded sale for a 2008 8C Competizione at $50,061,000 on 21 June 2026, a figure that far exceeds all other recorded results for the model.[17](https://www.classic.com/m/alfa-romeo/8c-competizione/)
## References
1. ["Storie Alfa Romeo" Episode 9: The 8C Competizione, Stellantis Media (17 June 2020)](https://www.media.stellantis.com/uk-en/alfa-romeo/press/storie-alfa-romeo-episode-9-the-8c-competizione-a-supercar-homage-to-tradition-with-one-eye-on-the-future)
2. [Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione road test, The Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/motoring/road-tests/alfa-romeo-8c-competizone-399116.html)
3. [8C Competizione, Museo Alfa Romeo collection](https://www.cert.museoalfaromeo.com/en-us/collezione/Pages/8C-COMPETIZIONE.aspx)
4. [First Drive: 2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, Motor Trend (Gavin Green, 2007)](https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2009-alfra-romeo-8c-competizione)
5. [Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione brochure, Stellantis Heritage](https://www.stellantisheritage.com/content/dam/heritage/images/heritage/auto-in-vendita/auto/alfa-romeo-8c-competizione/brochure/Brochure_Alfa_Romeo_Spider_ENG.pdf)
6. [World preview: The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, Stellantis Media (9 September 2003)](https://www.media.stellantis.com/em-en/alfa-romeo/press/world-preview-the-alfa-romeo-8c-competizione-a-sports-car-that-delivers-authentic-emotions)
7. [Podio dei capolavori: Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, Quattroruote](https://www.quattroruote.it/speciali/podio-dei-capolavori/stile/alfa-romeo-8c-competizione.html)
8. [2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione First Drive, Car and Driver](https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a17012205/2009-alfa-romeo-8c-competizione-first-drive-review/)
9. [Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, Stellantis Heritage (Italian)](https://www.stellantisheritage.com/it-it/heritage/storie/alfa-romeo-8c-competizione)
10. [Bonhams auction catalogue: 8C Competizione, VIN ZARJA](https://images1.bonhams.com/original?src=Images%2Flive%2F2019-07%2F29%2FS-25221-0-7.pdf)
11. [First Test: 2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, Motor Trend](https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2009-alfa-romeo-8c-competizione-first-test)
12. [Scuderia del Portello: Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione](https://www.scuderiadelportello.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/SDP_CARS_ENG_2021.pdf)
13. [Alfa Romeo 8C Spider brochure, FCA Heritage](https://www.fcaheritage.com/content/dam/heritage/images/heritage/auto-in-vendita/auto/alfa-romeo-8c-spider/brochure/Brochure_Alfa_Romeo_Spider_ENG.pdf)
14. [Alfa Romeo 8C: cambio manuale, restomod, Officine Fioravanti, Motor1 Italia](https://it.motor1.com/reviews/743079/alfa-romeo-8c-manuale-prova/)
15. [Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione M: caratteristiche, prova, Quattroruote (2024)](https://www.quattroruote.it/news/primo_contatto/2024/11/26/officine_fioravanti_alfa_romeo_8c_competizione_caratteristiche_prova_guida_video_.html)
16. [2008 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione valuation, Hagerty Valuation Tools](https://www.hagerty.com/valuation-tools/alfa%20romeo/8c/2008/2008-alfa%20romeo-8c)
17. [Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione market, Classic.com](https://www.classic.com/m/alfa-romeo/8c-competizione/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Technology and the built world › Transport and spaceflight › Road transport › Automobiles › French and Italian automobile models › Sports cars and grand tourers*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 15, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026 · Last review: Oct 15, 2026*
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