The former "Stig" from Top Gear thinks the Alfa Romeo 8C is the most overrated car; he prefers the Maserati GranTurismo

For many enthusiasts, the’Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione is an absolute icon of Italian automotive design. Its signature design Alfa Romeo, its limited production run of just 500 units and its Ferrari V8 engine make it a highly sought-after collector's item. However, Ben Collins, the former Stig from Top Gear, does not share this enthusiasm at all. During a lengthy interview with the YouTube channel Cars & Money, the British driver didn't hesitate to call the Italian car «the most overrated car» he had ever driven.

«A huge disappointment» despite an exceptional V8

Ben Collins does, however, acknowledge that the 8C has everything it takes to captivate at first glance. He says he was immediately won over by its design and, above all, by the sound of its naturally aspirated 4.7-liter V8 engine. «The sound is unreal—absolutely epic,» he explains. But his enthusiasm quickly faded after the first few kilometers, driven in the Swiss Alps during the filming of Top Gear with Jeremy Clarkson.

According to him, the car’s handling was far from living up to its appearance. From the very first hard braking maneuver before a hairpin turn, he felt the rear end become unstable, giving the impression that the two axles were «fighting against each other.» That sensation never left him for the rest of the test drive.

The Maserati GranTurismo as a counterexample

What’s most surprising is that Ben Collins points out that the Alfa Romeo 8C and the Maserati GranTurismo share much of their technical foundation. They have the same Ferrari-Maserati V8 engine, a similar architecture, and many shared components.

Yet, according to him, the result is radically different. «If you want the successful version, go with the Maserati,» he states bluntly. He believes the GranTurismo is perfectly balanced and demonstrates that simply fine-tuning the chassis can completely transform a car. In fact, this difference in handling surprised him so much that he couldn’t believe the two models were based on such similar platforms.

Beauty alone is not enough

Across from him, the host of Cars & Money He nevertheless defends the Alfa Romeo 8C, noting that he greatly appreciates its style, its rarity, and its character. Ben Collins never questions these aesthetic qualities. He readily admits that the 8C is «magnificent» and that its engine delivers an exceptional soundtrack. But for a driver accustomed to pushing cars to their limits, that doesn’t make up for handling that he finds disappointing.

His opinion is all the more interesting given that he spent eight years behind the wheel as the Stig, putting hundreds of sports cars and supercars through their paces on the track at Top Gear. Accustomed to comparing cars under identical conditions, Collins places the utmost importance on chassis precision and dynamic balance.

In the end, his verdict is final: despite its aura and timeless design, the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione is, in his opinion, one of the most overrated cars he has ever driven. An opinion that is likely to draw a reaction from the many admirers of the Italian coupe, but one that also highlights the often-underestimated qualities of the Maserati GranTurismo first-generation.