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As the sole
representative of Fiat Auto (Fiat-Alfa-Lancia) in Australia, Alfa Romeo is
well-represented in Sydney, exhibiting no fewer than nine cars on an expansive
stand which reflects the company's 'Cuore Sportivo' advertising line.
After an absence of a few years the company returned to Australia at the 1998
Sydney Motor Show with two models, the GTV and Spider. Since that time the
company has steadily added further models to its range, beginning with the
multi-award winning 156 in 1999-2000, and continuing with the 166 and 147 and
now the GT Coupe earlier this year.
Alfa has long had a loyal following here and
in the last few years, as in many markets around the world, has established
itself as a serious rival for the premium German marques in the marketplace.
All that said, it is unlikely to be a production car which attracts most
attention from visitors to the Alfa stand over the next week - that honour will
certainly be given over to the 8C Competizione concept.
After a rendezvous on Wednesday with the oldest surviving Alfa in the world
outside the Exhibition Centre complex where the show is held on Wednesday, the
8c was revealed to the media last Thursday.
The stand emphasises the presence of
the 8c, with two overhanging banners depicting the car, and the car itself
mounted on a raised arrow-shaped plinth.
The 8c's specification is impressive. Double wishbone suspension pins up all
four corners, which should ensure the handling one expects when one first lays
eyes on the 8c, while the volumetrically-supercharged Maserati-derived 4.2 V8,
pumping out over 400bhp at 7000rpm, promises 300km/h-plus potential.
Clearly, however, even the most powerful engine is wasted without adequate
traction, so this issue has been addressed with giant 20-inch Pirelli P-Zero
Corsas, of 245/40 front and 275/35 rear section, to guarantee roadholding
commensurate with the performance potential of this Alfa.
This is the first concept car, as it appeared in Frankfurt in 2003. The car
currently showing in Paris has several production-related modifications, such as
doorhandles and different wheels.
Entrance on this particular example is
accomplished by pressing a tiny chrome button, which then automatically drops
the door glass by half an inch or so and clicks the door open. Conversely, when
the door is slammed shut, the window raises by the same amount.
So the 8c
Competizione concept has travelled round the world to Australia, and is
immediately winning new admirer's, so much so in fact, that the local importer
has announced that they have received 'serious' enquiries already.
by Shant
Fabricatorian in Sydney
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