Highlight of the opening day of the 77th Paris Mondial de l'Automobile was the unveiling of the production-ready Alfa 8c Competizione. Before a packed audience the stunning sports car, created in the finest traditions of the brand, was introduced by the Alfa Romeo CEO Antonio Baravalle, and its order book was formally opened.

Baravalle kicked off the highly anticipated Alfa Romeo press conference on Thursday with reference to the extension of availability of the Selespeed and Q-Tronic transmission systems across the range. He also mentioned the new Q2 differential which will initially be available in the Alfa 147, saying that it was devised through their experience with four wheel drive systems and that it will "improve both safety and driving pleasure". He also believes that with its new options packs - being shown in Paris for the first time - the Alfa GT Coupé is a model that can now appeal to a wider customer base.

However the packed audience had only come to see one thing: the official launch of the Alfa 8c Competizione, a new sports car the sees Alfa Romeo return to its roots. "Let's talk about the star of our stand, the Alfa 8c Competizione," said Baravalle. "It is the finest and purest expression of our brand values." He referred to its illustrious predecessors, from which it drew styling inspiration and he emphasised the technical contribution made to the project by the Fiat Group as a whole. Reeling off its impressive statistics Baravalle enthused: "It has a top speed of over 290 km/h and 0 to 100 time of in less that 4.2 seconds. It will be limited to 500 cars - and very importantly it will be introduced to the United States." Later on Baravalle clarified that it will be sold directly to US customers as the sports car will be venturing across the Atlantic prior to the brand's official re-launch there.

"This car represents a new start for Alfa Romeo, its not just an exercise in corporate image," added Baravalle, who sees the Alfa 8c Competizione not only as a global standard bearer for the brand but also a package and direction that can be built on. He also pointed out that the car's order book would open immediately after the unveiling.
 

Taking of the future he said the brand will need "products with the Alfa Romeo badge on, that combine versatility and impact." And in a clear message that the much-rumoured smaller Grande Punto-based project is on the cards he added, "natural evolution will see Alfa Romeo enter a new segment, with a product especially created for the younger buyer."

With that the Alfa 8c Competizione was introduced. Baravalle firstly invited Wolfgang Egger & the car's Centro Stile design team up to accept the plaudits. Then from where the car was positioned in a glass cage behind the raised dais, an enveloping curtain dropped and was chased backwards before the glass doors slid apart, revealing the stunning new sports car. The 8c Competizione partly rotated as the audience clapped and then quickly rushed forward to view it.

Of note was that the curving bonnet now conventionally hinges at the rear and it opens along the lines of the traditional Alfa bonnet creases; previously the model's prototypes had an entire front bodywork section that swung forward. The interior has also been reworked, including handsome new sports seats, building a very stylish production finish into the cleverly thought out driver-orientated cockpit. The single showcar in Paris is finished with a stunning read leather interior, one of four optional interior trims that will be made available, the others being beige, black and titanium. The darkened backdrop behind the Alfa 8c Competizione included glass cases with mementos of its predecessor and large guides to the sports car which featured carbon-fibre covers.

by Edd Ellison in Paris