Alfa Romeo is gearing up for its return to American soil, and I don’t think they could have picked a better car to do it with than the 8C Competitzione coupe. It’s classic and contemporary all at the same time, with enough of the luxury look to satisfy even the snootiest of drivers, while boasting enough juice to satisfy any need for speed. Maserati is supplying the suspension, as well as the 4.7L V8 you’ll find under the hood. The powerplant will rock your socks with its 450 horsepower and rip you around the corners with its 347 lbs-ft of torque. The suspension also comes by way of Maserati.

Switching through the gears makes you feel like you’re driving a real race-car thanks to the paddle shifters controlling the six-speed gear box. Feeling a little lazy or just want to take it easy for the afternoon? Then just switch on over to the full automatic mode. Naturally, this elegant beast is rear-wheel-drive (we wouldn’t have it any other way).

The quad exhaust pipes are simple yet stylish, and the basic round tail lights suit the car just fine, but I’m personally not a big fan of the triangle “snout” (others may disagree; I give you permission). If you want a closer look at the Alfa Romeo 8C Competitzione, then head on over to Paris for their motor show later this month.