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Alfa Romeo
has started deliveries of the stunning Alfa Romeo 8C
Competizione, its unique interpretation of a super car
for the 21st century, but don’t expect to see one on a
road near you anytime soon. Just 500 are being. The 8C evokes
Alfa Romeo’s glorious past and projects the values of
technology and emotion that will be at the core of the next
generation of Alfa Romeo models, as well as spearheading
Alfa Romeo’s return to the USA.
The past is
conjured up in the name itself, which recalls Alfa’s great
motorsport tradition. In the Thirties and Forties, the 8C
name was used to identify cars, both racing and on-road,
equipped with the powerful eight-cylinder engine developed
by the legendary designer Vittorio Jano. The term
‘Competizione’ on the other hand is intended as a tribute to
the 6C 2500 Competizione, a sports coupé driven by the team
of Fangio and Zanardi in the famous Mille Miglia race in
1950.
Thus ‘8C
Competizione’ is not an invented name, but a clear reference
to Alfa’s racing history, to a legend born out of the
innumerable victories won on circuits throughout the world,
thanks to outstanding men and their competitive passion,
engine research and cutting-edge technology, and the thrill
of a challenge. It is this link with Alfa Romeo’s historical
values that underlines the importance of the name
‘Competizione’, which is projected into the future,
representing the sense of constant dynamism of a brand that
strives for excellence, increased competitiveness and
technological innovation. This explains the role of the new
car, which is not an end in itself but a starting point to
underline Alfa Romeo’s unique position in the world: the
ability to combine the emotion of the styling with the
entertainment of driving its cars.
Styling and aerodynamics: tradition and innovation
The captivating,
original lines developed by the Alfa Romeo Style Centre for
this 2-seater makes it unique in the GT segment. Thanks to
the excellent work done by the designers, the demands of
aerodynamics and performance did not modify the car’s
original concept. In fact the styling maintains the
incredibly clean lines, free from any elements that might
disturb their harmony. The solutions adopted on the Alfa 8C
to achieve the highest levels of aerodynamic efficiency do
not stop at the design of its shape. The air envelops the
car and follows its natural route, not hindered by
protruding or irregular elements. All the surfaces and
profiles of the uprights and the windows, as well as the
shape and position of the wing mirrors, have been optimised
both by mathematical calculations and by tests in the wind
tunnel and on the road. A great deal of attention has been
focused on creating a ‘ground’ effect, which made it
possible to achieve a negative drag coefficient (Cz) which
helps to increase stability at high speed, as it does on
racing cars.
The compact
dimensions heighten the aggressive nature of the car, which
was designed to guarantee maximum driving efficiency. The
surfaces have been carefully sculpted and expertly modelled,
and the body is given extra dynamism by the horizontal
furrow ‘cut’ into the side above the front wheelarch. The
large tyres and the powerful, muscular rear wings accentuate
the impression the model gives of a strong, forceful
personality, but without detracting in any way from the
elegance of the lines that run smoothly, underlining the
beauty of each element of the exterior: the drop-shaped
light clusters set into the front bumper like precious
stones, the LED rear lights that epitomise technology and
rational design, the essential styling of the door handles.
And the characteristic Alfa Romeo styling elements on the
front, the ‘whiskers’ and the shield, have been given a new
look. The innovative styling anticipates elements and
proportions of future Alfa Romeo cars, but it is also full
of emotions and references to the past: the 33 Coupé
Stradale, the Giulia TZ and numerous other icons from
motoring history. And finally, the Alfa Romeo Style Centre
has developed new colours to set off the line of the 8C
Competizione, which blend with the car’s sinuous styling
while they express modernity and high technology.
An 8-cylinder 4.7 litre engine: Italian ‘belcanto’
The engine is
the pulsating heart of every Alfa Romeo. In this case it is
a new 4691 cc 90° V8 unit which was developed with a clear
goal: to guarantee extraordinary performance, but also to
ensure that the car is smooth and exploitable in all
situations whether on the racetrack or in town traffic. The
car’s performance is summed up by a maximum power output of
450 bhp at 7000 rpm, peak torque of 470 Nm at 4750 rpm and a
top engine speed of 7500 rpm. The fluid dynamics and the
cylinder head cooling system were designed to make the ports
really permeable, effectively cooling the intake to maximise
volumetric efficiency and engine performance.
The harmonised
intake and exhaust geometries, combined with continuously
variable valve timing on the intake cam axes, the optimised
combustion chamber and the calibration of the engine itself,
together ensure that 80% of peak torque is available at just
2000 rpm. When driven hard on mixed routes, the engine
responds extremely rapidly, thanks to the high permeability
of the intake and the low inertia of the flywheel-twin plate
clutch system. The propeller shaft, which has the
counterweights set at 90°, is perfectly balanced thanks to
the selection of conrods and pistons, and ensures that the
engine produces virtually no vibration. The cylinder block
and base are made of aluminium with 5 journals to maintain
the rigidity of the structure and to minimise losses due to
friction; the cylinder heads are also made of aluminium
alloy. All the ducts (water, oil, secondary air) are cast
directly with the engine which makes for an extremely rigid
system, taking up less space and ‘safe’ to assemble, which
enhances reliability.
Incorporating
the accessory systems into the main engine castings, and the
extremely rigid design of all the elements ensures that the
engine generates less noise and enhances the reliability of
the components. Great care also went into the longitudinal
packaging of the engine, epitomised by the adoption of a
single chain timing system, which guarantees exceptional
‘lifelong’ reliability. And finally, particular care was
dedicated to the definition and acoustic intonation of the
intake and exhaust, to achieve a timbre that would point up
the character of the car, and make it unmistakable. The
result is a characteristic, full sound, emphasised by a very
permeable intake system and an exhaust system with
electronically controlled actuation valves, which enhances
the sound of the car but respects homologation and
environmental standards.
Transmission, robotised gearbox and self-locking
differential
On the 8C
Competizione, the engineers propose a layout that Alfa has
used on several previous occasions: a transaxle architecture
with the gearbox on the rear axle. This achieves excellent
dynamic performance, without detracting from Alfa Romeo’s
proverbial active safety. The engine-transmission unit
adopts the transaxle architecture, with a weight
distribution that is very effective for the handling of the
car. Thanks to the small axial measurements, and the fact
that the chassis elements were incorporated from the first
stages of its design, the entire power pack was housed far
to the rear of the car, a position worthy of sporty
credentials. The six-speed gearbox, with computerised gear
selection by the levers behind the steering-wheel, was
developed for very fast gear changes, and can be used in
Manual-Normal, Manual-Sport, Automatic-Normal,
Automatic-Sport and Ice modes. And finally, the self-locking
differential lets the driver control acceleration and
stability in any situation with extraordinary efficiency.
Suspension,
wheels and braking system
In the best Alfa
Romeo tradition, the technical solutions on the car were
borrowed directly from racing experience. The suspension
system of the new model is no exception. It envisages a dual
wishbone layout with hub carriers and arms made of forged
aluminium, with a supplementary strut to control toe-in. The
braking system mounts perforated, ventilated discs with
aluminium callipers to guarantee powerful, effective braking
even with very intensive use. What is more, specially
developed 20” tyres were chosen, because they could
guarantee excellent performance, really ‘gluing’ the car to
the road: 245/35 at the front and 285/35 at the rear,
mounted on perforated special aluminium wheels which are
lighter and make brake ventilation more efficient. And
finally, to ensure that the car is entertaining and safe to
drive in all conditions, the 8C Competizione uses the latest
edition of the Alfa Romeo VDC system, an evolved stability
and traction control system, which ensures that the driver
and the car are always on the same wavelength.
A rigid, light
structure
A structure that
is rigid and light is essential when designing a good car
with high performance. And it was certainly the inspiration
for the 8C Competizione. The compact chassis is made of
steel for maximum torsional rigidity, guaranteeing precise,
safe steering at all times, while the bodyshell is made of
carbon fibre. This choice was motivated by the need to keep
weight to a minimum, but also to lower the car’s centre of
gravity, enhancing agility and driveability on more
demanding routes.
Interior:
personality and technology
Composite
materials were used extensively in the interior, in
particular for the facia and interior panelling. It was a
technical decision but one that also underlines the spirit
of the car and highlights its personality. This is borne out
by the anatomical seats, made of carbon fibre, which can be
adjusted and customised according to the shape and size of
the driver (a feature once only available on racing cars).
Everything has been studied and manufactured to guarantee an
extremely ergonomic position for the driver and whoever
wishes to share the experience with him: relaxed driving,
instruments that are always visible and intuitive, and
levers for the robotised gearbox on the steering column
where they are easily reached without taking one’s hands off
the sporty steering wheel. The care and attention that goes
into the finishing elements allow the customer to customise
the car to his wishes, choosing between different
environments and internal styling solutions. The attention
to detail and the craftsmanship are obvious, for example, if
we observe the luxurious leather chosen for the seats and
for the central part of the door panels, or the exclusive,
innovative treatment of the upholstery, which features
leather interwoven with a natural fibre cloth to create an
aesthetic effect of great depth and impact. The customer can
even choose the colour of the stitching, just one example of
the many ways he can adapt the interior to his own taste.
The absolute
pleasure of fast driving
Look at it and
love it: wide tyres, low stance, and aggressive, balanced
styling. Just beautiful in other words. You hear the engine
and it speaks to you: a mechanical, full, convincing sound.
Now all you have to do is sit at the wheel, engage first and
try out the Alfa 8C Competizione. But there is still one
doubt: how do you drive a sports car with a 4700 cc
8-cylinder engine under the bonnet, which releases 450 bhp
and 470 Nm of torque when you press the accelerator. The
unexpected reply is: very easily, maybe even more easily and
instinctively than you are accustomed to doing with your
everyday car. Provided you take the time and pleasure
(because it is a pleasure) to familiarise yourself with the
controls, which are more direct, and the responses, which
are more instinctive, gradually unveiling the personality of
the new Alfa 8C Competizione. On a mixed road, or better
still on the racetrack where speed and transverse
acceleration are more demanding, it produces sensations that
only a true sports car is capable of. The Alfa 8C
Competizione announces that it is a true Alfa through and
through, with uncompromising control and driving enjoyment.
Driving comfort and dynamic behaviour have always been
inherent in Alfa Romeo cars; and in this car they become
real strengths.
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