The return of Alfa

Automotive Design & Production, Dec, 2007

Alfa-Romeo, which is part of Fiat, pulled out of the U.S. market in 1995 (11 years after the parent company gave up). But Alfa is coming back. The much-anticipated return to the U.S. in the second-half of 2008 will be marked with the arrival of the limited-edition 8C (meaning "8-cylinders") Competizione coupe. And "limited-edition" is an understatement. All 87 vehicles were sold as of last year. The $200,000-plus 8C's body is constructed from carbon fiber; power is provided via a 4.7-liter V8 producing 450 hp @ 7,500 rpm. Alfa plans to use the 8C as eye candy for its higher volume models, which are scheduled to arrive in the U.S. in 2009.

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