First Alfa 8C Competizione Arrives on North American Soil

Alfa Romeo is one of those names most North Americans have heard mentioned, but those who aren't automotive enthusiasts aren't quite sure where to place it. Some, now older, will immediately

associate it with the little sports car driven by Dustin Hoffman in 1967 coming of age film, The Graduate, although lovers of beautiful automotive design and powerful twin-cam engines will still be panging for the brand's return, having owned or lusted after models by the name of Spider, GTV and Montreal in the days of yore, and more recently Brera and 8C Competizione.

The is a supercar the likes of which the quadrofoglio brand has never seen before, and due to its appeal, the car Alfa Romeo has chosen to mark the brand's return to North America.

The first Alfa 8C Competizione has landed, and in Connecticut, no less. Miller Motorcars took care of the “handover ceremony” with James Glickenhaus taking the keys. Glickenhaus is a renowned collector, owning one of the largest car collections anywhere, and declared himself “particularly proud of being the first American customer to receive a [modern day] Alfa Romeo,” said a press release.

As mentioned, the 8C Competizione is not just any Alfa Romeo. Its production is limited to just 500 examples with a mere 84 coming to the US and none to Canada. All feature a version of Maserati's 4.7-liter V8 (this engine derived from Ferrari's production V8) producing 450-horsepower sending torque to the rear wheels via a six-speed robotized gearbox, so it should be as quick as it is pretty.