Italian invasion: Alfa Romeo readying Jaguar-fighting 6C for 2017

By Andrew Hard August 22, 2014

Alfa Romeo’s stunning 4C coupe was launched in the U.S. earlier this year, and many saw it as a ceremonious end to the brand’s absence from American shores.

In reality, the larger 8C Competizione quietly landed in U.S. much earlier, in November 2008, however this was before Alfa officially broke ground in the States with a slew of new dealerships.

The 8C was more of a classic Italian than the four-cylinder 4C, with a longer, more elegant body and a Ferrari-sourced V8 pumping power to the rear wheels. To this day, I still believe the 8C to be one of the prettiest cars ever made, although the 4C isn’t exactly grotesque to look at.

The 8C, famous for inspiring Jeremy Clarkson to ask, “Can a car be art?” on Top Gear, had a limited production run of only 500 units, 90 of which ever saw American roads. It was discontinued in 2010, but there is hope for those who dream of a larger Alfa in their driveway.

Related: Alfa Romeo plans 8 innovative models by 2018

Auto Express is reporting that a new Alfa Romeo, dubbed the 6C, is headed for production to do battle with the Jaguar F-Type. It will reportedly draw styling cues from the Maserati Alfieri Concept, which houses the same 4.7-liter V8 found in the 8C.

The front-engine, rear-wheel drive 6C will reportedly feature the twin-turbo, 3.0-liter V6 from the Maserati Ghibli, however, which could be tuned to produce 500 hp or more.

According to Auto Express’ rendering, the 6C will have a much more muscular look than the 4C, with bulging fenders and sharper headlights giving the coupe a much more aggressive character. The 6C will reportedly follow the Alfieri’s 2016 in 2017.

(6C rendering courtesy of Auto Express)

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Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

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