Test Drive Alfa Romeo 8c Spider since 2008 coupe

Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione against Nissan GT-R Speckv: Comparative Test Drive

Why exactly GT-R and 8C CompetiZione?

Unlike the multifunctional Nissan GT-R, the SPEC V version has a limited scope of application. These are only racing loops and winding roads. For SPECV service, personnel with very highly specialized knowledge is required, and this service is produced in specialized centers (7 centers throughout Japan). On a month, only 30 copies of SPECV are produced.

The Concept of the 8C Competiization model was first introduced in Frankfurt back in 2003. Classic body forms are made of hydrocarbon fiber, and since the car is manufactured at the Maserati plant in Modena, it has a lot of common features with Maserati Gran Turismo. For Japan, 70 copies of 8C in the body of a coupe (in the photo) were allocated. In April 2009, in Japan, the Rhodster of the 8C Spider Rhodster was announced at a price of 26,750,000 yen ($ 297,400).
   

Of all cars, ever serially produced by Japanese automakers, the most powerful and most expensive is, of course, Nissan GT-R Speckv. This supercar is equipped with a 3.8-liter V6-engine with two turbines capable of developing power up to 485 hp. Acceleration time up to 100 km / h is not yet officially announced. The north loop of the Nürburgring GT-R route passed in 7 minutes 20 seconds. The price of a car in Japan is unprecedented: 15 750,000 yen (about $ 175,000).

The second hero of our review is Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione: V8-engine with a volume of 4.7 liters, maximum power up to 450 hp, the time of passage of the northern loop is unknown. According to powerful indicators, the car loses slightly, but it does not prevent it from demonstrating super-results: 100 km / h in 4.2 seconds, the maximum speed is 292 km / h. And the price tag in Japan is completely stunning: 22 590 000 yen (approximately $ 250,000).

When our turn came to the test drive GT-R SPECV for the press, I thought that you could, of course, devote the article to him alone, but isn't the character SPECV, and in general GT-R will not appear most brightly in confrontation with another car? .. On the other hand, who can compete with SPECV under power? One of the automotive magazines chose Porsche 911 GT2 as such an opponent. And this is quite explained: both tops are topped with their manufacturers, in addition, both with turbines.

But we decided to go to others and elected a little unusual opponent for GT-R. Alfa Romeo 8C Competization is a double compartment with an atmospheric eight-cylinder engine driven by the rear axle, streamlined carbon elements of the body. It would seem that in general this typical Italian with all-wheel drive turbochargen Nissan GT-R? In that idea: such a contrast will help the temperaments of both cars to play even more brighter paints.

8c Comfortable sports car

In the frames of the seats and internal panels are also used carbon. Leather upholstery of the seeding of POLTRONA FRAU and aluminum trim central console continues the traditions of the Alfa family, started in the model 159.

Fully aluminum 4.7-liter V8-engine with collapse of 90 degrees. The six-speed semi-automatic gearbox with an integrated rear differential is located in the rear of the car the so-called transaxle layout scheme. The transmission is almost similar to Maserati Gran Turismo S.
   

And once in the morning I find myself in the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Cabine. The cabin of the double coupe seems very close, but it turns out that two adults can accommodate here even with some comfort. The seats are located a large shelf on which you can throw, for example, a jacket and a briefcase. True, in a tested car, this place was occupied in the complete set of red leather suitcases from Scheduoni, so the personal stuff was somehow not accustomed.

Thin and flat pillows of wheelchairs, covered with skin, are somewhat wide for the middle Japanese, but I liked it anywhere does not click anything, it is pretty comfortable. Position of the steering wheel and seats can be fully configured for itself the adjustment function allows you to do so with ease, but choosing the most lower seat for me, I noted that due to the bulky dashboard, visibility is worse.

Click on the START button located on the center console. I hear the deaf roding of the starter, and in a few moments, the engine awakened the engine, the heart of our true Italian. I am involuntarily coming to the Association with WEBER carburetors that fed Ferrari V12 power installation. I choose the automatic switching mode of a 6-speed mechanical two-selected box Q select. Switching to increased transmissions are noticeable, but do not annoy. In my opinion, go in the machine mode more pleasant: the steering wheel is easier, the gas pedal is militant. Riding so for some time, noticed that instinctively looking for a transmission pedal.

The turnover goes to the rise, the engine roar is heard more and more. Here I press the Sport button, and the music of the eight-cylinder engine is already forcing me to break up in a satisfied smile: this is the sound of the real European sports car. Likuya, I on one breath I spend the way from Tokyo to the Izzu Peninsula (a distance of about 100 km).


Restrained and severe Specv

Like the standard GT-R, Specv received the seats produced by Recaro, but here they were supplemented with a tilt adjustment mechanism. To reduce the weight of the rear armral pillow, they were removed, only a steady upholstery remained. As an option, the salon is equipped with a BOSE acoustic system.

Forged Rays discs on SPECV even easier than the standard GT-R. The Bridgestone Potenza Re070R rubber (with Run Flat technology) is also featured with a tread pattern and design. But the most interesting is the original carbon-ceramic brakes created under the guidance of Brembo. On GT-R brake calipers were gilded, the Spec V also received their more modest version of silver plated. The diameter of the front brake discs is 390 mm, each weighs 5 kg. If necessary, replacing precious brakes, for new such such you will have to put 4,700,000 yen ($ 52,300). The suspension is also exclusive from Bilstein.
   

On GT-R Spec V we see new bucket seats that he received instead of unpopular standard. These seats are produced in Japan and, of course, take into account the subtitle anatomy of the average Japanese, unlike those on 8C. However, apparently, in order to justify the high cost of the chairs, they were made suspiciously soft, and this, in my opinion, goes against the Spartan character to whom the salon of the sports car should have.

As you know, the current GT-R model originated from the sedan, and this historical relationship is well traced in the location of the seats is not as low as in 8C, which, in combination with a raised dashboard, it seems quite reasonable. Specv is actually a double car, as the pillows of the back chairs are removed, and they can now use them only to accommodate a small luggage.

The launch of the 3.8-liter V6 motor did not cause me such a delight, as in the case of 8c: everything is used here. SPECV is equipped with an automated manual transmission with two clutches. And although the start seemed slightly clumsy, the transmissions are switched here easier and smasher than 8C. The response of the engine is more acute, torque without complaints, the speed is recruited even more crawling than I expected. The sound of the SPEC V motor is more discreet, on an amateur of ascetic mechanical noise here is no longer heard of the Aria, which performed the 8C Competization engine for me.

But a more visible SPECV differs from 8C on the road. The efficiency of carbon-ceramic brakes and lightweight wheeled wheels is not as obvious as a rich launch on an uneven road. According to the developers, the SPECV version was initially concealed for riding on tracks, so the front springs are tougher here than on the standard GT-R.

So, on GT-R Spec V I got from Tokyo to Izu at an increased adrenaline not to compare with quiet happiness, with whom I ruled 8C Competization on the same route.

As for the brakes, there is nothing to say: SPECV brake discs Chief Engineer GT-R Cadzutoshos Midzuno calls the best carbon-ceramic brakes in the world indeed, they are even embarrassing with brakes that running 8C completed.



Hidden dangers

Wheels 8c with a diameter of 20 inches, rubber 245/35 R20 (front) and 285/35 R20 (rear). Brakes are also from Brembo, discs are not at all of the cast iron, but from the molybdenum alloy. Pendant levers (double transverse levers) are made of wrought aluminum.

The devoted idea of \u200b\u200bweight loss by at any cost, 8C CompetiZione boasts the carbon trim and panel of the gearbox selector. In the front row in the middle, the engine start button, on the left of the buttons (starting with the Far) reverse (R), automatic mode and sport, right danger, wet road and the disabling button of the VDC dynamic stabilization system.
   

So, two cars arrived on the Izu Peninsula, popular among riders thanks to the most interesting mountain serpents. Here everything should finally get up in place.

First, the series of aggregates on 8C Competization. As it is supposed to be a real European sports car, the car holds on the road as alina, neither the slightest extension either vertically, nor horizontally, the car with glitter passes all turns, demonstrating a small steering force and the minimum return from irregularities in the steering column, but in general Excellent stability and handling.

8C Competization is a shift in a super-rubber Pirelli pzero with a diameter of 20 inches, giving excellent clutch with an expensive, which allowed me to pass the devices at very high speed. With the exception of one case, which occurred during the photography of the next viege. Approaching the right turn, I switched the transmission with the third to the second. It happened that I was driving then a little faster than usual, and because of this a little did not guess with the moment of switching the transfer. As a result, I could not enter the turn by the usual Slow in, Fast Out formula (Slow input, quick output) I simply flew into it! Throughly byverting the steering wheel, being already at the extreme point of rotation, I realized that the rear wheels of the car simply soak in the air ... I suffered the same fear! At that moment, I had a dynamic stabilization system (VDC), which made the situation even more critical. So here is uncomplying, the usual super-sports car 8C Competizione found its potential danger even within the roads of public use. And for some reason I am not sure that VDC is able to actually save a similar situation.



Stunning speed. Final choice

The SPECV automatic transmission selector has the same design as on the standard GT-R. In general, with the exception of the seats, the SPECV cab is almost no different from that as standard. If you look good, it can also be noted that the panel closing the central rear wobbly is made of carbon, which has a positive effect on sound quality. In general, getting rid of the rear seats and installing carboxylic details (spoiler, part of the bottom of the bottom) managed to reduce the weight of the car by 60 kg.

At the top of the central console, the SPECV is located a multifunction display with the ability to display information about acceleration, slowing, control, transmission, fuel consumption, and onboard log. It is possible to customize each mode.
   

Next, I transplant on GT-R Specv and, having left for the already familiar serpentine, we have a real celebration of speed. SPECV is heavier than 8C exactly 100 kilograms, but overclocking before smooth, that the driver can forget about how the massive is actually this car. Entering the turns (this time on the corresponding speed situation), I again noted the characteristic splitting of the body.

The slow motion I clicked on the R button on the central console now the transmission will be switched faster, and also changed the settings of the VDC system and left again to all the same serpentine, and this time I increase the turbocharger pressure as necessary. The car tightened tightened and began to move even more confidently, and bullet departed from turns. Song!

However, the output is all the same: like 8c, SPECV is not intended for active ride on shared roads. It happens that, cope with such a monster is given very few. GT-R SPECV has endless possibilities, deep inner world and harsh temperament, although extremely charming.

So what do we have? On the one hand, GT-R with excellent indicators on the northern loop of Nürburgring. With another 8c, the main mission of which is not ephemeral numbers, but the real convenience for the driver. What kind of two supercars is better? I was very touched by the depth of the nature of Nissan GT-R Speckv, but still, being a Greater grandfather (and I have already exceeded 60), I choose the comfortable classic of Alfa Romeo 8C Competization. However, the case is not at the age of my choice fully divides the 30-year editor of our publication.


Specifications Nissan GT-R SPECV

Full length: 4 650 mm.
Full width: 1 895 mm.
Full height: 1 370 mm.
Wheelbase length: 2,780 mm.
Weight: 1,680 kg.
Drive: Full.
Engine: 3.8-liter V-shaped 6-cylinder DOHC with two turbocharger; The maximum power of 357 kW (485 hp) at 6,400 rpm, the maximum torque is 558 nm (70 kg-M) at 4,500 rpm.
Transmission: 6-speed DCT (with two clutches).
Price in Japan: 15 750 000 yen (about $ 175,000).


Specifications ALFA ROMEO 8C Competization

Full length: 4 380 mm.
Full width: 1 895 mm.
Full height: 1 340 mm.
Wheelbase length: 2 645 mm.
Weight: 1,660 kg.
Drive: rear.
Engine: 4.7-liter V-shaped 8-cylinder DOHC; The maximum power of 331 kW (450 hp) at 7,000 rpm, the maximum torque is 480 nm (48.9 kg-m) at 4,750 rpm.
Transmission: 6-speed semi-automatic (with one clutch).
Price in Japan: 22 590 000 yen (about $ 250,000).

Source: carView.co.jp.