Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione.....'Authentic Emotions'

[Broyax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TorW If you don't own a car found on a short list of 105s or 116s with TC and carburettors (everything else, by simple deduction, is cr*p), you're not worthy of being on the same continent as those who do. Alfa is currently writing a whole new chapter in their history book. It's taking place in the first decennium of the noughties. Get with the program or STFU. We have moved forward. Let the good old days be the good old days. I will probably never drive or let alone own an 8C, but it will make regular Joe say "Alfa Romeo" in sotto voce again. That's its job. Nothing more, nothing less.

[RussianM3_dude]

Well, BMW is still an all original all-inhouse company ;-)

I think for Alfa to be considered to be more then re-badged fiats, they should go to RWD since FIAT does not offer that and in-house petrol engines. I know Alfisti whine that it is too expensive, but if you want to play with the big boys, you gotta bring the hardware or else get the hell out of the way. I think that would please even die-hards like Mr. Broyax, non?

[Broyax]

Yes I suppose

If the product was at least sporty... I think about this very good alfiat the 164 Q4 (Croma chassis) was with its responsive 230 bhp V6 (but way too expensive...).

Someone had a great idea in the latter page : the excellent Miata should be an Alfa ! but it isn't. Follow the japanese example : best money/performance ratio nowadays.

[per_einarsson]

sweet
please agree in silence

[Berlinista]

@TorW
I don't mind alfa using other makes parts. I don't mind alfa sharing platforms with fiat or whatever.
What I DO mind however is Alfa making cars that are NOT alfa's.
Read my posts. BMW has made Beemers since the sixties, AND ARE STILL DOING SO, and because of that they are succesful.
Wat I am looking for in a car is its intrinsic manufacturers qualities.
A '60 beemer has them, as a BMW, and any new beemer has those qualities too.
You cannot, however, compare any '60 Alfa to any new one. You could compare a '60's Alfa to a '30s alfa, and still find comparisons.
You can compare a '60 Mercedes to a current one.
So all I a, saying is that Alfa should get back to its owm brand qualities.
Sadly I am missing those in the current crop, and in the 8c too.
I am NOT saying a 147 is crap to drive (a GTA kicks a$$)
Just that is does not give me the Alfa feeling. And of course the points I tried to make regarding weight, technology, handling vs. price etc..

[Aghevli]

I don't think that BMW has retained much of what made them such cool cars in the 1960s and 70s. The quirky coolness that was the 2002 is nowhere to be found in a modern day 3-series. The brand, for one, has moved far too upmarket. It's latest attempt at styling has fallen flat amidst the gimmicky contours of Bangle that, if they resemble any old BMW at all, reach only the Bavaria in terms of sheer ugliness. Their only saving grace in my opinion is the limited production Z8. No car in their current range even remotely resembles the 2002, the car that put BMW on the map in the states in the 70s.

I'll admit that BMW does have platform features that are superior to Alfa (I was a big fan of BMWs last generation of cars) but my greatest fear of Fiat pushing Alfa too far toward mass appeal has only been realized in what has already happened to BMW. This is that BMW has lost many of the physical and internal characteristics of what made them cool to begin with. BMW seems to have settled in a place where cars designed by GM, Ford, and Chevy sat in 1970. Bulky styling with lots of performance. Alfa Romeo, as it is more fondly remembered in the states, is dead in a sense. But if you ask me, so too then is BMW.

[Berlinista]

core qualities of a brand name.
In that I believe that indeed BMW has lost something, but that for the consumer, BMW's perceived core qualities are the same. Ie. sporty, quality saloons, that give driver satisfaction at a high price. Good engines, RWD layout, good handling characteristics. In that there is no difference between a 2002 and say a 330d.(note: PERCEIVED)
MB: executive class transport for taxi drivers and wealthy butchers. MB has lacked in quality lately, notably with the E class, but still build very good cars with high tech solutions. It was the same 30 years ago.
Now then.. Alfa.
Where are the quirky solutions as transaxle? Boxer engines? Underbonnets full of milled aly?
Rev counters in your face? A great drive for a nice price?
Then again, Alfa never made a financial succes of just about anything, which is of course why it had to sell out to Fiat.
Yet we Alfisti like their cars, mostly indeed the '60s and '70's stuff.
For a marque to stay alive it will have to adopt to the common denominator. Enter the current crop of Alfa's.
Still, that doesn't make the 8c anymore a REAL Alfa as it is PERCEIVED to be by many Alfisti.
Serious, let's say it was never launched as an Alfa but as a Maser. It would still be cool, and good looking. And a great Maserati.
No one would say, hey, now THAT'S what a new Alfa should be like.....
(because it isn't).

[RussianM3_dude]

Well, 8C will be great, I hope. But there is a clear need for Alfa to dial the Sport to 11.

[TIM145]

Come to SA and I will let you take my GT V6 for a drive and you will apologise profusely to her for saying she is a fiat not an alfa romeo!!

The 8C is beautiful, and just what Alfa need, a car little kids will have posters of on their walls, 1.6 147 drivers will feel more pride knowing they drive an Alfa Romeo, thats what it is meant for, and it already has, and will continue to be very succesful at that.

[Broyax]

Your Fiat GT has an Alfa engine, that's all.

[TIM145]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broyax Your Fiat GT has an Alfa engine, that's all.

[RussianM3_dude]

The last real Alfa, the 75

[Gtam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RussianM3_dude The last real Alfa, the 75

[Bartek]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Broyax Your Fiat GT has an Alfa engine, that's all.

[Berlinista]

@tim145
My dad has a V6 spider. A good friend has a V6 GT, yeah, I know how they drive. Same friend also has an RZ. I know how THAT drives too........
I have, among others, a Sei and a '68 Bertone. Now those last 3 are not as good to drive as for example , my dad's Spider V6. But SO much more Alfa emotion, and the reason why I won't spend my money on one.
Even my dad's 33 sportswagon is more FUN to drive than the GT. The GT is very capable, comfortable, fast, well handling, looks OK and after 2 days driving: Yawn.....
Back into the '68 for real fun!
The comment on the kiddie poster, to that I will agree!!!