8C Competizione (2007-2010)

Following the success of the 8C Competizione Coupe, Alfa Romeo announced the 8C Spider at Pebble Beach in 2005. The production version was displayed at the Geneva Motor Show in 2008 with series production beginning the following year. Alfa had intended to produce 500 examples but only 329 Spiders were built in Modena. The car was sold in the UK for £174,000 making it considerably more expensive than the Coupe. The car retained the 4.7 litre Ferrari 90° V8 producing about 450 bhp. The engine is a development of that found in the Maserati Gran Turismo and is derived from the Ferrari F136 powertrain shared with the Ferrari F430 and F458 although without the dry sump and flat plane crankshaft. The car uses a rear mounted semi-automatic transaxle (known as the F1 gearbox) which is shared with the Ferrari 599. The Spider differs from the Competizione Coupe by having a reinforced chassis including a carbon fibre windscreen surround which is a stressed component. The rest of the body is made from Carbon Fibre. The 8C is known for its ‘Raucous’ sound, some media described at as one of the prettiest cars ever produced although some people favour the Coupe over the Spider. All 8C’s were produced Left Hand Drive only. Every effort was made to lighten the car which is why the Spider has the Carbon Ceramic Brakes over the standard steel versions on the Coupe.

This car is a 2010 model and is in the launch colour of Bianco Madreperla (Mother of Pearl) which is a translucent white. It was sold new in Europe in 2010 and shortly after was exported to South Korea to join a well known large car collection. It was sourced for an AROC member in 2018 and imported to the UK. The car was ordered new with a number of optional extras which made this a desirable specification. The seats (which are shared with the Ferrari Enzo) have a black leather weave which was an extra cost item and are produced by the Italian Furniture house ‘Poltrona Frau’. The brake callipers are also in Black giving the car a very ‘classy’ appearance. It is believed there are 17 8C Spiders in the UK.