What's An Alfa Romeo 8C Actually Like To Drive?

The 8C wasn't universally well received upon its debut, so what's it like to drive one today? Matt Farah took one out for a canyon blast to find out
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There’s no denying that the 8C looks and sounds gorgeous. But, not all road testers were fond of the way it drove upon release. Some labelled its on-the-limit handling as “eratic,” and there was one high-profile review from a certain chap called Jeremy that likened the 8C’s drive to that of a Mustang.

So, it’s interesting to see the car revisited, some 10 years on from its debut, courtesy of Matt Farah taking a drive in an 8C owned by Afshin Behnia of Petrolicious. It’s worth watching the whole thing (partly down to the ridiculously good engine noise), but suffice to say Farah is much more favourable about the way the car drives than some were back in 2007, although it is worth pointing out this is a road-based test of someone’s pride and joy where the car is - understandably - not taken to the limits of grip.

What's An Alfa Romeo 8C Actually Like To Drive?

10 years on, the 8C still sits quite strangely in the Italian firm’s history. It was the first rear-wheel drive Alfa in 15 years when it came out, although it wasn’t much of an Alfa at all. Power came from a 4.7-litre V8 jointly developed between Ferrari and Maserati, and it was the latter company that built the car in Modena. These things are even serviced by Maserati dealers: take it to your local Alfa garage, and they’ll have no idea what to do with it.

True Alfa or not though, it’s still a lust-worthy car, even now the company is finally starting to go back to rear-wheel drive with its mainstream machines.

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Comments

Tomislav Celić

Buys Alfa
Breaks down
Sells Alfa
Buys a VW
Sees an Alfa ad
Buys Alfa

06/05/2017 - 10:29 |
156 | 2
M4R10

Like father like son

06/05/2017 - 10:41 |
70 | 0
Agustín J. Ruatta

I’m not sure about the noise. Obviously I was not in the car but listening with headphones I felt the exhaust noises a bit fake. How would an 8C sound like with out the flappy valve thingy exhaust?

06/05/2017 - 14:18 |
0 | 0

Believe me the sound is awesome, I had the chance to watch and hear one start up and drive by, I still heard the car 3-4 roads away
Great exhaust sound

06/05/2017 - 15:18 |
4 | 2
Aaron 15

I remember seeing a silver 8C pull up outside McDonalds one time whilst I was in Germany. SUCH a pretty car in person! And the owner came out with 6 nuggets and a coffee XD

06/05/2017 - 20:01 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

I always thought the 4C was a prettier thing than the 8C, until the re-bodied disco volante surfaced at least

06/05/2017 - 21:10 |
4 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

[ https://youtu.be/DxF9vFJezRA ] Here’s what I mean. Not only does it feature one of the prettiest cars in recent history but it’s also a brilliantly produced film (With Ludivico’s Music!).

06/05/2017 - 21:15 |
0 | 0
hoardBoard12

Owns an Alfa 8C and wears his nan’s sunglasses… what a guy.

06/06/2017 - 15:16 |
0 | 0