The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione is heading for production and the project's inside information is starting to pour out now, with ANSA yesterday quoting Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne as confirming a 500-unit build run for the sportscar was impending, split 50-50 between Coupé and Spider versions.

Influential Italian news agency ANSA reported Marchionne's comments made to Automobilismo magazine in their latest issue, which is just hitting the news stands. "It (8C Competizione) will have mechanicals derived from Maserati with a 4.2-litre V8 engine, around 400 bhp and rear wheel drive," Marchionne told the Italian magazine. "Only 500 units will be produced, 250 of the coupé and 250 of the spider. They will be priced between 120,000 and 140,000 euros," he added.

Ever since this breathtaking concept sportscar stunned the packed crowds on the occasion of its unveiling at the Frankfurt IAA back in 2003 there has been a real will there to see it put into limited production. A fascinating blend of retro and the future, it was designed totally in-house by Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, a calling card that really put them on the style map. The name '8C Competizione' harks back to a golden era when Alfa Romeo was the automotive brand name to aspire to - and this new car will put the historic Milanese brand straight back into this category. Six months later at the Geneva Salon in 2004 the 8C Competizione's doors were flung open for the first time to reveal a genuine sportscar cockpit, designed in the true traditions of the brand to be functional and driver-friendly.

However, with other important projects taking priority at Alfa Romeo, most notably getting the new Alfa 159, 159 Sportwagon, Brera and Spider into the showrooms across Europe, the 8C Competizione project went on the backburner.
 

The 8C Spider, a convertible version which reportedly got underway immediately after the coupe's Frankfurt launch back in 2003, was brought out in public for the first time at Pebble Beach last autumn to celebrate the fact that Alfa Romeo was the featured brand at the prestigious Californian Concours d'Elegance. The 8C Spider offered a totally new dimension to the 8C project and was every bit as stunning, aggressive and at the same time as elegant, as its coupé sister.

The first signs though that the 8C Competizione was back on the production agenda came in unguarded comments by new Alfa Romeo brand CEO Antonio Baravalle, which he made during last month's Geneva Motor Show to motoring journalist John Simister, and which were quickly reported by the 4Car website.

"It is my dream to do it," 4Car quoted Baravalle as saying at the Swiss motor show. "We have cut the budget for our advertising campaign and will do the 8C instead, because it is a perfect way to promote the Alfa brand. Sergio Marchionne says if the figures add up, do it." Exact details still remain scarce, but the news that Alfisti craved is now fact: the glorious 8C Competizione is gearing up for a production run.