At a Fiat Group investor relations presentation held in New York City yesterday, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne officially announced the go-ahead for limited production of the award-winning Alfa Romeo 8C Spider, which will be commercialised in 2009.

Revealing this exciting news in North America served to emphasise the important role that this forthcoming car, and its similarly limited-run coupé sister, are set to play as 'halo' models in the brand's impending stateside re-launch. The production Alfa 8C Competizione made its official US debut at the Brook Meadow Concours during the summer, offering many potential buyers a first chance to see the dramatic sports car.

Unveiled as a concept at the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Monterey, California, the 8C Spider drew immediate international acclaim as being one of the most desirable modern exotic open-top sports cars. As with the stunning 8C Competizione coupe, the 8C Spider was developed entirely in-house by Centro Stile Alfa Romeo. Together, the 8C project cars both presented a calling-card which firmly put the Milanese design studio in the centre of the automotive styling map.

The decision to create the Spider version was made almost directly after the coupé’s launch at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show. The dramatic 8C Spider made its first European public viewing at the prestigious Villa d’Este Concorso d’Eleganza in April 2006. It was at this event where the design won the trophy as best concept car on display, following an almost unanimous public vote and backing from an international panel of leading classic car connoisseurs.
 

As with the closed-roof 8C Competizione, the following Spider version will be fitted with the same powerful 450 bhp 4.7-litre V8 engine and MTA gearbox, and will be assembled in conjunction with Maserati. The Spider will also continue the coupe’s exotic lightweight carbon fibre body construction and lavishly trimmed sports interior. The 8C Spider will weigh around 1500 kg, with a top speed in excess of 285 km/h. The soft-top will also complete the 0-100 km/h sprint in less than 4 seconds. Due to the cars generous composite dual-cast brake discs (front 360mm x 32mm with 6-piston Brembo callipers / rear 330mm x 28mm with 4-piston Brembo callipers) the 8C Spider will have a 100-0 stopping distance of around 33 metres.

The first production examples of the 8C Spider are anticipated in 2009, with the limited edition car also being hand built on the production lines at Maserati’s Modena-based factory. Priced at a €20,000 premium over the closed 8C Competizione, the Spider is expected to cost around €180-185,000.

With first deliveries to the United States in 2008, the 8C Competizione represents the first new Alfa Romeo to be officially offered in the USA since 1995, and the Spider will follow closely on its heels. A third 8C model derivative is expected,  with a project currently under development at the Zagato atelier.