In case you did not know that much about Alfa Romeo, we will provide a quick overview. It was established in 1910, and it started racing its creations the next year. Enzo Ferrari, the man who started the brand that wears his name, used to race cars for Alfa Romeo, and even made his first race cars based on Alfas.
The first car branded as anAlfa Romeo was sold in 1920, after the entrepreneur named Nicola Romeo, who led the company during World War I. Before that moment, the automakers had sold its products as ALFA, which stood for “Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili,” which translates to “Anonymous Lombard Automobile Factory.”
Today, Alfa Romeo is owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and the company does not have the most excellent image in the automotive world. Some love it to death, while others think its products are inferior to those made by its competitors. The real problem with Alfa Romeo these days comes in the form of profits and sales figures, which must increase rapidly over the next few years to keep things running.
We made a list of our favorite Alfa Romeo cars ever made. Unlike other articles in this series, we did not go to extremes, but we chose automobiles that will put a smile on your face in any day of the week. Only five cars were selected in the end, but each of these will make for an enjoyable drive, no matter the distance.
Alfa Romeo 4C Spider
This version of the 4C was revealed in 2015 during the Detroit Auto Show. It is a roadster with a carbon fiber tub, and it uses the same 1.75-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine from its Coupe brother. The same twin-clutch automatic gearbox is employed, but not even purists have been offended by this fact.
The Italian roadster can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.5 seconds, and its top speed is an incredible 160 mph (257 km/h). The engine is placed behind the occupants, and it exclusively powers the rear wheels. Meanwhile, the front end comes without a servo-assisted steering system, which promises a level of purity that only becomes upsetting during parking maneuvers.
Whatever your feelings about Alfa Romeo, this car looks happy to see you when you meet it in the car park, and you will be satisfied once you enjoy it on the road. It is not perfect by any means, but it has a formula that you will not encounter anywhere else.
Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
If the 4C has not melted your heart by now, the 8C Competizione should do the trick. While it was launched ahead of the 4C, we placed it below its smaller brother on our list because it is trickier to get your hands on one. Only 500 of these cars were made, and each of them came with a 4.7-liter V8 cross-plane engine that was developed and assembled by Ferrari, but the car was assembled in the Maserati factory.
This stunning vehicle has three top Italian brands on its resume, and only Lamborghini could have stepped in to make it even more outstanding than it already was. Alfa Romeo sold both Spider and Coupe versions of the 8C Competizione, and the former is slightly slower than the latter, but only regarding top speed, which sits at a respectable 180 mph (290 km/h) for the Spider.
While its 450 HP might not be a level of power that could impress anyone today, there’s more to that to enjoying this Alfa. Getting your hands on an 8C these days will be tricky, because most of the examples have ended up in the hands of collectors. FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne reportedly owns both body styles of this model.
Alfa Romeo Brera
Except for the 4C and 8C, Alfa Romeo mostly sold front-wheel-drive cars in its recent years. Some of those models were available in all-wheel-drive versions, but that was about it. The Giulia changed that, but the Italian brand has had a few invigorating cars with an FWD configuration.
One of these models is the Brera, which was designed by Georgetto Giugiaro in collaboration with Centro Stile Alfa Romeo. It is a 2+2 Coupe built on the platform of the 159, and there was also a convertible version derived from it, which was named Spider. While it may not be the best handling front-wheel-drive car in the world, or the most powerful, it will bring a grin to your face.
Just look at the Brera. There is at least one styling cue that you love about it. Some people like the back of this car, which reminds people of the Giulietta Sprint, while others like its front end. This model was available in a broad portfolio of powertrains, ranging from a 170 HP diesel to a 260 HP V6, which was also available with an all-wheel-drive setup.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
If you have not heard much about Alfa Romeo until 2015, this car has undoubtedly passed by your radar. It is the first all-new sedan from this brand in years, and it comes with a rear-wheel-drive platform dubbed Giorgio. The Italians have big plans for this car, and the Quadrifoglio version is its star.
Just like any other Alfa Romeo, its design is distinctive, and you are sure to like a few of its lines. Most people love its aggressive front end, while others like the profile. The rear of the Giulia equally enjoyable, so we can say that we have a looker on our hands.
You can get this model with all-wheel-drive (not the Quadrifoglio version), and it comes with a reasonable range of powertrains. The best one is a Ferrari-inspired twin-turbo V6, which sits in the performance version. It has 510 HP, 600 Nm (442.5 lb-ft) of torque, and it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds. That should be enough to make your heart race.
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale
If you thought the 8C Competizione was a rare model from the Milanese brand, this one will knock you on your back. It is named 33 Stradale, and it is a mid-engined sports car that could have passed as a supercar in its day. Only 18 of these were built, and each one is treasured today.
Those fortunate to ride in one of these kn
ow that it can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.7 seconds, while its top speed is 261 km/h. As you might have observed, the 4C can surpass those values, but the 33 Stradale was built in the late 1960s, so there’s no comparison here.
If you are somehow not impressed, you should learn that this hand-built model comes with a 2.0-liter V8 unit, which is something that you will not find everywhere. Furthermore, its sound is equally impressive, in spite of the fact that it is rated at 230 HP. Keep in mind that this V8 can rev up to 8,800 rpm, which is enough to raise the hair on your hands. Did we mention it was the first car in the world with dihedral doors?
We hope you enjoy our selection of the five Alfa Romeo models that are guaranteed to change that frwon upside down. Whether you are driving them, riding in the passenger’s seat, or simply admiring their design, any one of these cars should brighten your day.
