Jalopnik: Competizione

Glickenhaus Confirms P4/5 Competizione Is Go

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:15:00 EST

James Glickenhaus just revealed that his dream of a North American Racing Team fielding a P4/5 Competizione will soon officially be a reality.

The rebirth of N.A.R.T. is a big undertaking, especially if you're going to create your own racer. Fortunately, big projects are Glick's forte. His post on FerrariChat below:

No Longer Red but a Flashing Green...
Things are starting to come together. It will take time but there is excitement and real interest.

Thanks to my Partners in this adventure!

This will be some trip and it has begun.

P 4/5 took on a life of her own.

May P 4/5 Competizione follow her example.

Ferrari P4/5 Competizione: The Work In Progress Renderings

Ray Wert — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:15:00 EDT

We're told the above image (and one more below) are work-in-progress renderings of Jim Glickenhaus's proposed Ferrari P4/5 Competizione. All we can say is... damn!

While the Michiel van den Brink renderings — both of them — were great, we've been told — by Glickenhaus himself over at FerrariChat — these renderings are closer to Jim's vision of a car that's very similar to his P4/5.

One question still remains — what Ferrari will he base this race-ready bad boy after? Top Gear seems to think it'll be the Ferrari 458 Italia. What do you think?

Corvette-Based SV 9 Competizione Wants Desperately To Be Italiani

The Auto Insider — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:45:00 EDT

The Corvette-based limited edition SV 9 Competizione wants desperately to emulate an Alfa Romeo 8C Competzione with its carbon fibered re-skin. American V8 grunt mixed with Italian sensuality? How could it possibly go wrong?

Limited to just 1000 units, the SV Motor Company SV 9 Competizione appears to be one of the more mature Italian-emulating Corvette 'kit' cars in the CG renders below, but appearances can be somewhat deceiving. While there's no questioning what lust object inspired the SV 9's designer, upon closer inspection we notice the design is lacking a tad in its execution.

The headlamps look as if they've been grabbed under the cloak of darkness from Alfa's parts bin and though the front fascia design is simplistic in its execution, we can't help but feel that there's a cancerous mass hanging off the front. Images of Jim Henson muppets immediately come to mind. Other oddities include a haphazardly sliced hood cutline on the front wing and the strange 'vent' that it awkwardly avoids as well as the faux quarter glass that appears to be painted in a similar fashion to the recently debuted Jaguar XJ's C-pillar. Thankfully, things start to get better once you turn her around. The rear design, while lacking in supple curves and a bit on the generic side of the design spectrum, is actually the nicest element of the car. The removal of the inner-most lamp from the base Corvette tail and the outboard exhaust helps to visually widen the rear as well as give it a distinctive 8C-derived look.

Powering the nearly $100k SV 9, is the base Corvette's LS3 V8, though power has been increased from 436 to 450 horsepower thanks to a revised intake and ANSA-tuned exhaust. With a 3085 lb carbon fibered body, the SV 9 is estimated to accelerate to 60 mph in 4 seconds and run the 1320 in 12 seconds flat.

SV Motors offers a full customization program with 25 unique exterior hues and various interior trim options to guarantee you won't see another car quite like yours, but with only 1000 being produced we're sure the chances of a run-in are about as likely as catching a cab during NYC rush hour. The first production SV 9 is expected to be revealed this weekend, with a public debut to occur on August 14 at the Concorso Italiano in Monterey.

[SV Motor Company via Corvette Blogger]

Alfa Romeo Officially Returns To US Market This Month With 8C Competizione

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:40:00 EDT

Alfa Romeo made it official a year ago when they announced plans to return to the US auto market after a 13-year cooling-off period. But now it's actually here, as the Italian automaker begins to rekindle its romance with the US auto market later this month, when they import 84 copies of its exclusive Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. The lusty — and already spoken-for — sports cars will be made available through the existing Maserati dealer network, with another run of 8C Competizione Spyders and 8C Competizione GTAs planned as well. As we've already told you — this impromptu return may act as the lead for additional models to hit US shores in the late-2009/early-2010 time frame (right about when the DOW will hit 200 and gas will be hovering around $9 a gallon). So that'll work well.

[MotorAuthority]

Alfa Romeo Mi.To Meets 8C Competizione In Photo Studio, Wants Some Attention Too

Wes Siler — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:40:00 EDT

This is what's known in the industry as the Halo effect. Believe it or not, Alfa Romeo aren't making the 8C Competizione because they lay awake at night dreaming about the color red combined with 450bhp V8s, but because their accountants spend all day figuring out what building such a vehicle will have on the sales of bread and butter models like the Mi.To hatch. We're pleasantly surprised to see so many design similarities between the Alfa we can afford and the one we can't, well, from the front and rear at least. Mi.To sales start in Europe this July with engines ranging from 95-155bhp. The 8C should be making it stateside later this year, heralding a return to the country for the brand, lets hope the Mi.To will follow. [via Autoblog.it]

Alfa Romeo Wants To Save US Automakers From Empty Assembly Lines

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:15:00 EDT

We already knew Fiat's Alfa Romeo was bringing the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione to the US and using the Maserati distribution network to do it. We'd also heard one option Fiat was discussing was creation of a new plant in Mexico to supply North America with volume models like the 159 sedan and upcoming Mi.To and 149 hatchbacks. But what we didn't know, if the coy allusions made in an article appearing in today's Financial Times are to be believed, is that Fiat CEO Sergio "March Madness" Marchionne may be looking at snatching up excess capacity at US automakers.

If you think about it, such a deal would be a marriage made in convenience heaven, especially given the current value of the US Dollar against the Euro. We're also fairly certain the US automakers would be eager to part ways with the cash black hole of unused auto plants. So putting the two together would be a profit-making proposal we could easily see happening. We're only hoping the UAW labor won't balk at the idea of having to meet those legendary high Italian quality levels. [FT.com]

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Spider Set for 2009 Launch

Mike Spinelli — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:17:43 EDT

Good news for the SPF-zero set. That concept version the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione sans top, shown at the Pebble Beach Concourse back in 2005, will debut in production for in 2009. That from Automotive News, which reported on a Wall Street preso in New York by Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne. The coupe, which went on sale in Europe earlier this month, will hit US shores in mid-2008. That, to coincide with Alfa's return to the states — where it's been absent since 1995. The spider convertible will meet the coupe in production volume — that is, 500 units. That's far too low to satisfy all the world's Alfisi. Expect unrest. [Automotive News via Motor Authority]

The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Revs Engine A Bit, Gets Ready To Race Grandma

Ray Wert — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 11:15:00 EDT

We know yesterday was Maximum Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Day, but we've got so much good content from our day at the Meadowbrook Concours d'Elegance, we just had to show you. For instance — the above video we somehow managed to smuggle out of the glove-switching hands of the folks at Fast Lane Daily — it's the original video from yesterday's episode of the daily show that lives life in the fast lane. And although many Bothans may have died to bring you this, it was well worth it — just so you can hear the faint engine sounds of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione as it revs its engine getting ready for a little race action versus grandma.

We Enjoyed The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione More Than Her Anyway

Ray Wert — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 15:30:00 EDT

While one of us was spending his time with a lady named Alfa at the Meadowbrook Concours d'Elegance press preview — another publication was busy checking out some other ladies. We however, know the difference between high class and not-so-much — of course that may be because we once dated the one on the left. [Autoblog]

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Live From Meadowbrook, But Why Are We Crying?

Ray Wert — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 15:00:00 EDT

Although the video's really loud — the boys from the show that lives life in the FastLane so often it's Daily snagged some video of the new Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione from yesterday's US reveal. It looks so pretty when it's moving...and you can hear the engine...wait...it's moving and I can't hear the engine. I'm hearing something else instead. What is this noise I'm hearing instead? Wait, it's a silly man with a hand-changing glove. What is he doing — why is the silly man with the hand-changing glove flapping his gums? We want to hear the car — not him! Gah! Stop! Talking! Argh! Sacrilege! Double Gah!

Mama Mia! The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Is Beautiful Like-a The Nature

Ray Wert — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:20:00 EDT

Ah, now this is more like it — the beauty of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione cannot be contained by a mere studio. No, it must be free. It must be out of doors. It must merge its beauty with the beauty of nature. Much like it's doing in these highly p-chopped press shots from Alfa Romeo. And fear not, lovers of the 8C Competizione, there is more coming — just keep your peepers peeled at our tag.

The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Gives Us A Fever Even In A Sterile Studio

Ray Wert — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 12:30:00 EDT

As Maximum Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Day continues, we're now onto the press photos released by the kind folks at the Italian automaker. For the first grouping, here are the on-set exterior press shots. They're nice, yes — but as I'm sure you can tell — if it weren't for the fact that it's the 8C Competizione, they'd be kinda plain. But because it's the Alfa Romeo phallic supercar — we're just gaga.

Hey, Grandma! I've Got Some Wheels, Wanna Race?

Ray Wert — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 11:10:00 EDT

Don't think we didn't notice the obvious hilarity in this shot we took yesterday at the US reveal of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. The best part — the driver of the $200,000-plus supercar was revving his engine. This "race" is kind of like our way of showing Maximum Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Day is totally in full gear — and don't worry — more is coming, just keep your eyes on the tag. Oh, and if you're looking for a High-Res shot of "the race" — we've got that too — right here.

The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Commercial Is So Beautiful It Makes Us Want To Cry

Ray Wert — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 09:20:00 EDT

To start Maximum Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Day off, we've got some hot commercial action for you. The folks at Alfa have put together a promo video befitting of an Italian stallion supercar — filled with beautiful shots of the 8C powering through the hills, beautiful shots of CGI engines and powertrains and beautiful operatic voices. The only thing that could be added making this commercial more appropriate would be if Alfa Romeo flashed "Molto caldo!" across the screen every few moments

Get Thee Ready For Maximum Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Day

Ray Wert — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 23:30:00 EDT

Given the amount of interest generated in our first-glance at the stateside release of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, one of us is dedicating himself to providing an absolute heap of content tomorrow on the first Alfa Romeo for US streets since 1995. So yeah, there's a storm front coming kids, can ya feel that chill on the air? If you do — watch the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione tag all day tomorrow for all the sweet Italian action.

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Stateside Debut

Ray Wert — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 11:20:00 EDT

We're out here on the rolling Rochester Hills at the site of this weekend's Meadowbrook Concours d'Elegance for the US press reveal of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. But just as important as showing the 159,300 euro (Alfa folks claim the US price will be over $200K when it hits here late in 2008), 450 HP V8-powered supercar, for the Alfa Romeo folks this is the first event for a US-bound Alfa Romeo since the halcyon days of yesterday — and by yesterday we mean 1995. We'll stop talking and let you soak in the crimson-colored beauty of these shots.

Report: Alfa Coming to US in 2009, Bringing 8C, Brera, Spider

Mike Spinelli — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 10:22:45 EDT

Oh good — Fiat's so flush, it's sending Alfa to the states earlier than expected. In fact, the UK's Just Auto says we'll start seeing launch activity by the end of 2008. The mag's also making with new details about the lineup. We already knew the 8C Competizione and its Spider sibling will be the halo cars — as if we could get our mitts on one (the first run of 500 each are reportedly accounted for). For us plebes, Alfa will bring the Alfa Romeo Brera and Spider. And in 2010, the new 159 sedan will take on Audi and BMW. Look for the first rumblings midyear '08 as Maserati gears up to ride Alfa in on its back. – Mike Spinelli

Alfa Romeo's US relaunch pegged for spring 2009 [Motor Authority]

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione at the 'Ring

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 16 May 2007 12:42:06 EDT

Sure, we've seen Alfa Romeo's 8C Competizione a few times up close, and had to cower like Quasimoto in its Esmeralda-like presence. Now it's out being flogged on Germany's Nürburgring, which is likely quite a vision. Say spies, this proto version offers a few mild changes, including air intakes, a softening around the edges and more substantial A pillars. Underhood is a 450-hp eight whose voice we're hearing in our mind's ear as a combination of The Magic Flute and a Ferrari F430. – Mike Spinelli

Alfa back to the U.S.A. [World Car Fans]

Related:
More on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione [internal]

Tease Tease Tease: More Video of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Mike Spinelli — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 11:07:10 EST

Didn't get what you wanted for the holidays? Neither did we. – Mike Spinelli

Related:
24,000 Kisses: Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Video; More on the 8C [internal]

Cold Shower Coming Up: Alfa Romeo Launches 8C Competizione Minisite

Mike Spinelli — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 16:01:13 EST

As if we needed any more teasing by the CTs at Alfa Romeo. Yeah, yeah, all the 8C Competizione models destined for production are spoken for. And yeah, it'll be 200 something grand. But did they have to design it to mimic Natalia Estrada on holiday by the Adriatic? Next thing, we'll be watching the Alfa studio with a telephoto lens from across the street, hoping to catch the fleetingest glimpse of bare sheetmetal. You are wrong, Alfa, dead wrong. – Mike Spinelli

[via Autoblog]

Related:
More on the 8C Competizione [internal]

Alfa Romeo Bringing Spider Concept to Pebble Beach

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 11 Aug 2005 11:41:27 EDT

Italy's Autoblog.it notes that Alfa will be bringing a new concept roadster (purrrrr) to this year's Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance. Dubbed the 8C Spider, the two-seater was derived from the company's 8C Competizione coupe, whose on-again, off-again production plans have bred thoughts of self-immolation for millions of car nuts (ok, us). Dare they tease us without thoughts of bringing the thing to market eventually? Could they possibly be so cruel?

Right now, we can only speculate. And gawk, lustily. The Spider's luscious curves are lifted directly from the Competizione, from which it's derived, and shares its mechanicals, particularly its including a longitudinal front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration. No other details were available about the concept, though a Concours press release noted that 62 Alfa Romeos were set to appear at Pebble Beach, including seven cars from the Alfa Romeo Museum near Milan and three of the Bertone-designed BAT (Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica) concept cars, built in the 1950s.

Alpha Romeo 8C Competizione and Spider [Autoblog.it]