"...But the prize for swivel-eyed lunacy goes to Alfa Romeo, which has just started to build its new £100,000 8C. What this is, most of all, is a public-relations exercise. Only 500 will be made, and the idea is that we all gasp with admiration at Alfa’s genius. You’d imagine, then, that it would be keen for the likes of me to have a go, so that I can tell the world just what a marvellous car it’s created. Sadly not. It says all 500 have been sold already, mostly I suspect to people who’ll simply lock them away in air-conditioned bunkers and never drive them.
Shame, because this is the car I was most looking forward to driving in 2008. First, it’s an Alfa Romeo, which, if you’re a disciple of all things motoring, is like the love child of every god there ever was. Lamborghinis are all right if you want to show off. Alfas are for people who don’t.
Second, this is one of the most beautiful cars I’ve ever seen. Ferrari, of late, has forgotten the importance of style. Its cars are no longer pretty. This is. So pretty in fact that in metallic cherry red, on 20in wheels, it makes my hair start to itch and my knees stop working properly.
And then, to justify the price tag, there is the technology. It has the same 450bhp 4.7 litre V8 that you’ll get in Maserati’s new coupé, and the body is made from carbon fibre and draped over a steel spine. The result is strength, lightness and speed. Sure, Nissan’s GT-R will be faster, but that’s like being married to Keira Knightley and then being jealous of someone who’s married to a horse with a first from Oxford.
Inside, you have carbon fibre seats clad in Ferrari leather, simple old-fashioned dials and a sense that all is well in your little world. This could be one of the great cars. Designed by enthusiasts and styled by gods. It’s only a shame I’ll probably never find out because it’s being marketed by absolute morons...."
Jeremy Clarkson
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