Some cars are fast, others are drop-dead gorgeous. Then there’s the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione — a performance car so stunning, it wouldn’t look out of place in an art gallery next to the Mona Lisa.
Inspired by Alfa’s racing heritage, the 8C was the brand’s reintroduction to the United States market after a 13-year absence. Just 500 coupes and 329 Spiders were built, making it highly sought-after from the get-go.
Nearly two decades later, the 8C remains one of the most breathtaking and soulful cars ever made.
To make sure we brought the most accurate information for the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, we sourced our notes from the manufacturer, and where needed, from a review by MotorTrend.
A Design That Makes You Stare
Raving about the 8C’s design feels almost redundant at this point, but I can’t help myself. Something about the way designer Wolfgang Egger sculpted its silhouette makes me want to pour a glass of whiskey, sit back, and just admire it.
If you look closely, you’ll begin to notice that the 8C speaks the same design language as older Alfas, like the 33 Stradale, but with an added touch of modern flair and aggression with a carbon-fiber body draped over its steel chassis.
It also sticks to the tried and tested Alfa Romeo formula with the iconic triangle grille, wide hips, and 20-inch cloverleaf-style wheels wrapped in specially-developed tires.
Step inside, and the 8C greets you with a cockpit that’s part race car, part Italian luxury lounge. Carbon-fiber bucket seats are wrapped in Poltrona Frau leather. The aluminum console and grab handles? Machined from solid billet. And for those who wanted to travel in ultimate Alfa Romeo style, a bespoke leather luggage set was available — for an extra $5,300, of course.
Not Just A Pretty Face: The Ferrari-Built V8
In the 2000s, Ferrari, Maserati, and Alfa Romeo were like brothers who all borrowed each other’s toys. The 8C’s heart was one such borrowed masterpiece — the F136 V8 engine was originally designed by Maserati and built by Ferrari, similar to one found in the 458 Speciale.
This 4.7-liter cross-plane crank V8 produced 444 hp at 7,000 rpm and 354 lb-ft of torque, with a soundtrack so addictive, even cocaine will feel like a dull habit. Beyond 4,000 rpm, butterfly valves in the exhaust opened, unleashing an engine note so glorious, that it puts even the finest symphonies to shame.
Paired with a rear-mounted six-speed automated manual gearbox, the 8C wasn’t as quick as its appearance would have you believe. During MotorTend’s test, they discovered the 8C went from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and completed the quarter mile in 12.8 seconds at 112.5 mph.
With Alfa Romeo claiming a 181 mph top speed, the 8C is too fast to be considered a mere sports car from its era, but not quite quick enough to enter supercar territory.
Despite not being a speed demon, the 8C had its fair share of serious hardware to battle its 3,500-lb curb weight — independent double wishbone suspension, and Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes came as standard. Yet, in classic Alfa Romeo fashion, it was less about lap times and more about how it made you feel.
Personally, I don’t think the 8C ever intended to break land speed records and outrun its competition. Rather, Alfa Romeo set out to build the best-sounding, best-looking grand tourer the world had ever known, and in that regard, it succeeded spectacularly.
Investment Appeal — And Some Even Rarer Versions
In 2009, a new Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione would cost you at least $250,000. If this were a mainstream used Alfa Romeo, it would now cost a fraction of its original MSRP. However, since the 8C is anything but ordinary, its value has increased.
Hardtop examples now fetch an average of $287,478 according to Classic.com. Low-mileage examples demand even more. Less than two years ago, a red 2008 model with just 1,400 miles on the clock sold for $375,000 on Bring a Trailer. If you have a less lavish budget to play with, you can always consider the 8C’s baby brother, the Alfa Romeo 4C, but I digress.
Those who want something even more spectacular should check out the Disco Volante. Built by Carrozzeria Touring in 2013, the exclusive Disco Volante shared the majority of its underpinnings with the 8C, while taking some design inspiration from the classic Alfa Romeo Disco Volante.
Sharing the same 444-hp V8 and transaxle gearbox as the 8C, the Disco Volante was more about exclusivity than performance, with only a handful ever built.
The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione isn’t the fastest, sharpest, or most technologically advanced sports car ever made, but none of that matters. Some of the greatest cars ever built are riddled with flaws.
Alfas are more than just clinical speed machines. They’re built to make you feel something, and let your heart lead the way — something modern supercar makers struggle with.
The 8C Competizione is a rolling sculpture, turning heads even when standing still and sending chills down your spine when its Ferrari-built V8 roars to life. It’s a true testament to what makes Alfa Romeo special. It is, indeed, a work of art on four wheels.
