Performance Review: Alfa-Romeo 8C Competitzione Spider - [2008]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Alfa-Romeo 8C Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Alfa-Romeo 8C Competitzione Spider is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2008. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2008 Ariel Atom V8 500 and the 2008 SSC Ultimate Aero TT.This particular Alfa-Romeo 8C has a 4691cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 8C shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 8C's Rear Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1650 kgs (3637 lbs) this makes the Alfa-Romeo 8C Competitzione Spider in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Alfa-Romeo 8C shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp)

In terms of power the 4691cc 32V V8 engine produces 444 bhp (331 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 347 lb-ft (470.4 Nm) @ 4750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Alfa-Romeo 8C you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1996 Dodge Viper GTS (293.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Alfa-Romeo 8C.

The Alfa-Romeo 8C has a Power to weight ratio of 269.0 bhp per ton and 210.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2008 8C competing with the 1996 Dodge Viper GTS (293.9 bhp per ton) or the 2002 Ferrari 575 M Fiorano (293.6 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Alfa-Romeo 8C generating around 210.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2007 Bentley Continental GT Speed 2d Auto (235.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 BMW X6 M 4.4 V8 Turbo F86 (235.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.4 secs, this made the Alfa-Romeo 8C Competitzione Spider as fast as the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the or the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (4.30 secs). This Alfa-Romeo 8C Competitzione Spider is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2020 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the and the 2020 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 8C and the 1969 AMC AMX 6.4L V8 7030

When talking about the performance of the Alfa-Romeo 8C on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.64 secs @ 108.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1969 AMC AMX 6.4L V8 7030 (12.59 secs), the 1991 Porsche 928 GTS 5.4L V8 (12.60 secs), and the 2006 BMW Alpina B3 3.0 Bi Turbo (12.60 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2008 version of the Alfa-Romeo 8C Competitzione Spider has a maximum speed of 180mph.

Top Speed of the 2008 8C equals the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (191 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2008 Alfa-Romeo 8C Competitzione Spider then how about the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (191 mph), the 2022 BMW 4 Series M4 CSL 3.0 Twin Turbo G82 (191 mph), or the 2021 Nissan NSX Type S 3.5L V6 (191 mph).

Related Links:

2008 8C Rivals List.

A Brief History of Alfa-Romeo

Car Comparison