Most of us have fulfilled our motorcycle dreams having the CVO's.....but most of us haven't had the chance to owm the dream car and the main reason is because we can't afford and/or the Mrs doesn't allow us to have that kind of toys............
Here is mine:
2008 ALFA ROMEO 8C COMPETIZIONE
Balocco, Italy — There is certainly a natural gap between a car's presentation and its final launch. But this time, we had to wait more than four years. And we've been a bit uncertain as well: When Alfa Romeo showed the concept car 8c Competizione (initially with a small "c") at the Frankfurt auto show back in 2003, there wasn't even a production plan — just catching attention to camouflage another brand crisis.
In fact, the worldwide reaction to the 8C (for otto cilindri) has been overwhelming and Alfa finally decided to bring the 2-seater supercar to the road. The series version was displayed in Paris in late 2006 and will be delivered to its first European owners as you read this. U.S. customers will follow in mid-2008, but only 90 cars will be shipped over for the year.
Waiting time didn't harm the fascination at all: Here it is, the first real sports Alfa in a long time, with a convincing technical layout, sheer power, stunning proportions and fascinating styling. Just look at the dynamic presentation of the A-pillars, or the round taillights reminiscent of the glorious TZ of the 1960s. No doubt, the 8C is purebred, a well-balanced mixture of Alfa's design DNA and modern elements like LED foglights. Admire the paint, feel the materials and realize a build quality that is exceptionally good (something we couldn't say about every Alfa in the past).
Within, one will find hardly any plastic, but carbon fiber, alloy and lots of leather. Fit and finish are first-rate. The 8C seat shells (we know them from the Ferrari Enzo and Maserati MC12) are also made of carbon fiber, and Alfa offers three different sizes for a custom fit. Once in place, there's comfort and enough space for two people. Outward vision is good, but luggage space must have been an afterthought: Opening the rear hatch, you will see that for reasons of balance, the fuel tank blocks most of the trunk from the axle forward. To reduce the pain, Alfa offers a special set of fitted Schedoni luggage, matching the chosen interior colors, of course. And there are loads of other options, as well.
Anything to wish for? Keys, please! Kindly, Alfa welcomed us at its traditional test track in Balocco, Italy. Right then, the first thing the 8C driver realizes is that there is neither a gearshift lever nor a handbrake. All such activities are controlled by buttons in the lower center console or, driving in manual mode, by two big paddles fixed to the steering column.
No ignition key also, as one starts the engine by pushbutton. The reaction is a moaning roar that not only affects the driver's skin, but will serve as a wake-up call for your neighbors. Ah, but what an awesome sound to wake up to.
So off we go: In the first moments, the steering wheel seems too big, though one will get used to it as it allows quicker directional changes.
The 8C is a precise driving instrument, following the pilot's orders immediately. Changing gears manually is fun as well: In Sport mode, the Magneti Marelli system (Ferrari uses the same on the F430 and 599 Fiorano) operates even faster (0.2 instead of 0.4 second), while downshifts are accompanied by perfect blips of revs.
All this performance gives great confidence, and we get faster with every lap. Stunt drivers won't miss the handbrake, as the 8C doesn't need that kind of cornering support: Just use the right foot! Oversteer can easily be provoked, especially with stability and traction controls switched off. The 8C is a great drifting machine, but that's not the fastest way around a corner. So use all the track, steer sensitively, accelerate with care — and you will realize how quick the 8C really is.
We clocked 0–60 mph in 4.2 seconds and covered the quarter mile in 12.4 sec. at 115.4 mph. Driving for only a few hours, we got a rough idea about the 8C's fantastic balance and dynamic potential (it pulls 1.02g in lateral acceleration), and it is certainly among the best rear-wheel-drive cars we've ever tested.
As the 8C delivers what has been promised, we don't doubt the official Alfa figures except one — the top speed. It is listed at 181 mph, but this is probably false to keep a certain respectful distance from Ferrari. Off the record, we have been told the 8C gets close to 190 mph...
So is this coupe a true Alfa? We believe so. Yes, it has a modified Maserati engine aka Ferrari F430 power unit, but so what? Did anyone complain about the BMW power in McLaren's F1? Also keep in mind that Alfa was founded back in 1910, while the Trident came 16 years later. Not to mention the Cavallino Rampante starting only in 1947. Today, all these dreamworks belong to the same Fiat enterprise.
The Italians have created a legitimate sports coupe and a serious alternative to Aston Martins, BMWs and Porsches. It's a genuine GT with excellent comfort on the open road as well. Knowing that the Italian brand still resounds in the U.S., we sense there is certainly a lot of potential for Alfa Romeo's North American revival. Without a doubt, the 8C will prepare the public for other (less expensive) Alfa models to come. The sadness might be that you missed ordering this stunning flagship at this time.
But here's your second chance — Alfa just announced it will build 500 versions of the 8C Spider in 2009. If you can afford it, we strongly recommend you put your order in today
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Topic: OUR DREAM CAR........... (Read 4492 times)