Casey Stoner takes to the track in a new set of wheels, but this time the 2007 MotoGP champion is not in the saddle of his Ducati superbike, rather he’s behind the wheel of the all-new Alfa Romeo supercar. The 22-year-old Australian was invited by Alfa Romeo (official sponsor of the Ducati team in 2006 and 2007) to test the Alfa 8C Competizione around the Balocco (Vercelli) track in Italy two days ago.
It took Stoner just a few laps to find himself in tune with the latest Gran Turismo car from the Alfa Romeo Style Centre. At the end of the session the young driver exclaimed: “Really extraordinary! The Alfa 8C Competizione is the best car I’ve ever driven.”
Manufactured in a limited series of just 500 units, the Alfa 8C Competizione stands out for its sculpted, finely modelled surfaces which provide perfect “clothing” for the excellent engine and mechanicals, a perfect blend of elegance and sportiness. So, a quite unique vehicle that takes its inspiration from the brand’s glorious past – as its name makes clear – projecting into the future those values of technology and emotion that have always been part of the Brand. And with full respect for Alfa Romeo’s legendary tradition, the Alfa 8C Competizione is equipped with a new 90° V-shaped 8 cylinder unit with a capacity of 4691 cc which has been designed with a very clear objective in mind: to guarantee extraordinary performance but without giving up on running smoothness and the ability to tackle any situation, on the track or in city traffic. Operating at the top of its powers, the engine offers a maximum output of 450 bhp at 7000 rpm, and peak torque of 470 Nm at 4750 rpm (maximum revs of 7500 rpm).
Sadly the 8C Competizione will not be making its way to South African shores as there are no plans currently in place to produce this mechanical marvel in right-hand drive.
