Club Alfa Sport

From MotorTrend
Back in 1995, with sales dwindling and its reputation in tatters due to poor build quality, Alfa Romeo left the U.S. market to nurse itself back to health. This followed the departure of Alfa’s parent company, Fiat, 11 years earlier, and since then most fans of Italian cars have been forced to buy used vehicles or admire supercars made by Ferrari, Lamborghini, or (since 2002) Maserati from afar.

Powered by a retuned version of the 4.7L V-8 found in the Maserati Granturismo, the 8C Competizione’s 450-hp and 354 lb-ft of torque help rocket it from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.2 sec. 

Featuring classically sensuous Italian styling (penned by current Audi designer Wolfgang Egger), a luxurious cabin, and a high-tech carbon body, Alfa’s new supercar provides a high-profile halo vehicle for the brand. Though at a cost of approximately $240,000 and with just 84 examples destined to cross the Atlantic, one that will be an extremely rare sight on American roads. 

If you’ve been saving up for a new Mercedes CL65 AMG but want something with a bit more Mediterranean flair, you may be out of luck. Even before it reaches U.S. dealers the “Quadrifoglio” brand’s two-seater has already sold out. Alfa is bringing more examples of its supercar stateside, in addition to a rear-drive sedan and BMW X3-sized crossover (among others), in the form of a drop-top 8C Competizione Spider — but those who want one will have to wait until 2010.

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