Currently reading: Paris show: Alfa's super-sexy supercar
Paris show: Alfa's super-sexy supercar

The fastest-ever road-going Alfa Romeo was launched in Paris today (September 28).

The stunning 190mph 8C Competizione melds the marque’s past and future: it follows the tradition of its limited-edition coachbuilt cars of the 1950s-1970s, and it’s also likely to be the first of a series of exotic and exclusive models.

“For my own taste it’s a little bit too retro,” said Richard Bremner, Autocar’s senior contributing editor. “But there’s no doubting it’s a very sexy car and I’m sure they will all sell.

“It’s about the same length as a BMW M6 Coupe but it’s a lot lower - its design influences are the 33 Stradale and Giulia TZ - and as a result looks much more lithe.”

Powered by a 4.7-litre V8 based on bored-out Ferrari F430/Maserati 4200 blocks fitted with Alfa’s own four-valve heads, this 450bhp carbonfibre-panelled semi-spaceframe coupe’s 0-60mph time should be firmly in the supercar bracket: 4.5sec.

Only 500 examples of these £100,000 machines will be built at the Maserati factory in Modena.

Available only in left-hand drive, it will spearhead Alfa Romeo’s return to the USA after a decade away.

Delivery of the first car should take place in about a year’s time.

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