Alfa 8C Competizione
Philosopy
13-09-2006, 22:34
Alfa has decided to put into production its 8C Competizione concept. With a 450bhp 4.7-litre V8, it's due to be launched at the Paris Motor Show.
I'm normally a big fan of Alfa's; I think they have the soul that is absent from so many other modern cars. I have to admit though, while this car is being hailed as 'stunning', I find its looks to be...challenging. What do others think?
http://www.whatcar.com/Car/AlfaRomeo/Spider/12966112120.jpg
http://www.whatcar.com/Car/AlfaRomeo/Spider/12966114411.jpg
http://www.whatcar.com/Car/AlfaRomeo/Spider/12966113170.jpg
http://www.whatcar.com/news-article.aspx?NA=222300
The Nazz
13-09-2006, 22:40
I think I know where Pontiac got the idea for the Solstice now.
http://www.2bluesc.com/pictures/Miscellaneous%20Cars/Pontiac%20Solstice.jpg
Fantastic news. I think it's great looking, been wanting them to put it into production since II first saw the concept...
Philosopy
13-09-2006, 22:45
I think I know where Pontiac got the idea for the Solstice now.
http://www.2bluesc.com/pictures/Miscellaneous%20Cars/Pontiac%20Solstice.jpg
There is a similarity, but I see a lot more of Porsche in that front end.
Fantastic news. I think it's great looking, been wanting them to put it into production since II first saw the concept...
It's got a gorgeous side profile, but I'm not keen on the back at all.
Underdownia
13-09-2006, 22:46
Gets you from A to B I suppose!:p
IL Ruffino
13-09-2006, 22:51
I'd buy one.
Philosopy
13-09-2006, 22:53
Gets you from A to B I suppose!:p
It's an Alfa, so I wouldn't bet on that. :p
Cannot think of a name
14-09-2006, 08:41
It's an Alfa, so I wouldn't bet on that. :p
Ba-Zing!
Actually that's the best looking Alfa in a long ass time. Too bad I'm poor and Alfa no longer sells in the US.
Boonytopia
14-09-2006, 09:59
I don't really care for Alfas, but I do like the looks of that one. I wouldn't buy one though, even if I had the money. They have a terrible reputation for quality/reliability.
Neu Leonstein
14-09-2006, 10:39
I like it. Although, to be honest, for that money I'd get a Ferrari. Just as much soul, and just that little bit extra.
And also...450 horses isn't all that much anymore.
Also, look what I found:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAxmOvwRZlI That's a road-legal car. :p
And (and this is even better)...http://www.goapr.com.au/products/ecu_upgrade_a418t.html
Philosopy
14-09-2006, 11:18
I like it. Although, to be honest, for that money I'd get a Ferrari. Just as much soul, and just that little bit extra.
Yeah, but in a Ferrari everyone will just think you're a yuppy with a rich Mummy and Daddy. A Ferrari is clinical and precise. An Alfa has the style and sophistication, but adds into the mix the excitment of knowing that every journey in the car could be your last, before it packs up for ever. Sort of like a TVR, but with a breakdown at the end rather than a twisted wreckage.
And also...450 horses isn't all that much anymore.
It's still no sloth, though; just because a Bugatti can get 1,000 doesn't make 450 suddenly slow.
Also, look what I found:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAxmOvwRZlI That's a road-legal car. :p
And (and this is even better)...http://www.goapr.com.au/products/ecu_upgrade_a418t.html
I'd love to do the Nürburg; but I'm not sure I'd have the guts. If you ever drive round it and keep overtaking some idiot going round at 15mph, that's probably me. :p
Neu Leonstein
14-09-2006, 11:24
Yeah, but in a Ferrari everyone will just think you're a yuppy with a rich Mummy and Daddy.
Oh well, as long as you don't get a convertible, you'll be fine. And you could always get a Lambo with a Tubi-modded exhaust. Then people won't be able to hear their own thoughts about you. :D
It's still no sloth, though; just because a Bugatti can get 1,000 doesn't make 450 suddenly slow.
Yeah, but it almost seems like at least 500 is par for the course these days with serious sports cars. I guess it depends a lot on how much this Alfa will weigh, but considering that it's all carbon fibre it can't be that much. But that stuff is also expensive, so I'd expect it'll have to contend with some significantly more powerful cars in the same price range.
I'd love to do the Nürburg; but I'm not sure I'd have the guts. If you ever drive round it and keep overtaking some idiot going round at 15mph, that's probably me. :p
Hehe. I'm thinking about going back to Germany for the Christmas Holidays. I wonder whether my Aussie drivers license works there...
Philosopy
14-09-2006, 11:41
Oh well, as long as you don't get a convertible, you'll be fine. And you could always get a Lambo with a Tubi-modded exhaust. Then people won't be able to hear their own thoughts about you. :D
The new Gallardo Spyder is an awesome car, and looks absolutely drop dead gorgeous. That's a supercar you could buy without giving a toss what everyone else thought of you.
Yeah, but it almost seems like at least 500 is par for the course these days with serious sports cars.
True; the massive increase in bhp for road going cars recently has been quite amazing. It was only a couple of years ago that the Mercedes-McLaren came along with 650BHP - then we had the new Pagani Zonda S, then the Koenigsegg CCX with over 900. I wonder if those sort of hyper-performance cars will survive, or if they'll be just too expensive and die out again.
I guess it depends a lot on how much this Alfa will weigh, but considering that it's all carbon fibre it can't be that much. But that stuff is also expensive, so I'd expect it'll have to contend with some significantly more powerful cars in the same price range.
In reality though, Alfa's always sell on their looks, and little else. Who would have bought most of their range throughout their history if they didn't look so good? But you are right; a poor man's Ferrari may not be successful in a price range where they can have a real Ferrari.
Neu Leonstein
14-09-2006, 11:58
The new Gallardo Spyder is an awesome car, and looks absolutely drop dead gorgeous. That's a supercar you could buy without giving a toss what everyone else thought of you.
My pick would be the Gallardo SE. But that was a limited edition version, although they did say that most of the changes (including carbon brakes...yay!) would find their way to the standard model.
I'm not a big fan of convertibles, generally.
But you are right; a poor man's Ferrari may not be successful in a price range where they can have a real Ferrari.
Well, I'd say that the most likely competitors for this Alfa would be the Ferrari 599 GTB, various Aston Martins and maybe even the AMG SL's.
It depends on the price range, I guess, but making a whole car out of carbonfibre is usually reserved for only the most expensive supercars.
Maybe they should take this basic design, make it out of less expensive materials and put it up as a competitor for the AM V8, Maserati Gransport and the like.
It looks like a Ferrari 250 GTO cross pollenated with an Opel GT.
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/1416/250gtojpgmq9.jpg
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/9936/opelgtjy1.jpg