Yum. I almost don’t care what’s under the hood or on the inside, I’d be happy to cast my gaze over that funky matte red finish all day long. Thankfully the 4C concept has more depth to it than it’s surface-level beauty, which is fairly substantial as it is.
The 4C is the successor to the 8C Competizione, which was an exorbitantly expensive Maserati-based RWD coupe. While the 8C was unbelievably pretty and single-minded, it’s ridiculous pricetag prevented it from actually meaning anything to sports-car enthusiasts of realistic means, besides poster fodder.
Mechanically, the 4C focuses on lightweight construction and sophisticated technology rather than brute force for it’s performance. In order to keep weight down, the 4C is unusually compact and uses some clever materials. The body and chassis are made of carbon fibre, while the rear subframe and crumple zones (a sign this car has production intent) are aluminum. Overall dimensions are tiny, the 4C stretching just over 4M in overall length (13.1′) and 2.4m wide (9.7′). To put this into perspective, a new (R56) Mini Cooper is 3.7M long, but only 1.6M wide – meaning the 4C has a low, aggressive stance. Total weight is remarkably low at under 850kg (1873lbs), comparable to an Elise.
The engine is a transverse mid-mounted 1750cc “MultiAir” Turbo four cylinder from the Guilietta Quadrifoglio hot hatch, mated to Alfa’s new TCT twin clutch automated gearbox, driving the rear wheels. With over 200 horsepower available, the 4C doesn’t need a lot of power to post 0-100km/h times in the 4-second range, meaning it’s about on par with the 8C acceleration-wise with half the power. Technology is amazing.
Suspension-wise, the 4C uses a “high quadrilateral” front setup (4-link independent?) and MacPherson struts at the rear, which is pretty typical. Weight distribution front-rear is a typical 40:60 for a mid engine car, and the wide stance means this sucker will probably eat corners alive. Of course, the 4C includes Alfa’s DNA drive-mode selector, which juggles parameters to fit your driving style.
Now, the world isn’t exactly overrun with mid-engine 200bhp turbo-four-cylinder cars, but I can’t help but be reminded of something when looking at the 4C’s specs on paper:
MR2 Turbo. Still, a good idea is still a good idea even if it’s an old one. What’s the best part though? After reading through all these mouth-watering specs and looking at these drool-inducing pictures, I suffered from TGTBT sydrome – too good to be true. There’s no way Alfa is going to put a mid-engined 1800lb turbo sports car with curves like Pamela Anderson into production. But err, to quote directly from the press release:
“This car is not simply an exercise in style created for the Motor Show; it will be on sale in 2012 and is set to reinforce Alfa Romeo’s global growth.”
Praise be to the great god Marchionne, who smiles down upon us in his benevolence. For while he may seem to wear the same creepy turtleneck and be adverse to shaving, the man knows how to build cars people want. I would expect the 4C to be priced comparably with cars like the Audi TT, Peugeot RC-Z, and likely the Nissan 370Z, as well as within spitting distance of a base-model Cayman or a 135i. If this car is how Alfa Romeo plans to kick-start their resurgence in the US market, I can’t really think of a better way. Alfa: PLEASE offer Matte Red as a paint option. And a stick shift. I’ll get in line.
Live images courtesy: 1) carscoop.blogspot.com and 2) Autoblog.com. MR2 Turbo picture from Google Images via Cargurus.com. Sadly Alfa only released 3 press pictures of this gorgeous car. You shoulda seen the booth models.
Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Engine With The Top Speed
Red Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Engine On The Red Carpet
Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Engine Detail
Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Engine Show Up
Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Engine View Detail From Every side
Elegant Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Engine
Alfa Romeo 8C Spider Engine Hatchback
Mechanically, the 4C focuses on lightweight construction and sophisticated technology rather than brute force for it’s performance. In order to keep weight down, the 4C is unusually compact and uses some clever materials. The body and chassis are made of carbon fibre, while the rear subframe and crumple zones (a sign this car has production intent) are aluminum. Overall dimensions are tiny, the 4C stretching just over 4M in overall length (13.1′) and 2.4m wide (9.7′). To put this into perspective, a new (R56) Mini Cooper is 3.7M long, but only 1.6M wide – meaning the 4C has a low, aggressive stance. Total weight is remarkably low at under 850kg (1873lbs), comparable to an Elise.
Suspension-wise, the 4C uses a “high quadrilateral” front setup (4-link independent?) and MacPherson struts at the rear, which is pretty typical. Weight distribution front-rear is a typical 40:60 for a mid engine car, and the wide stance means this sucker will probably eat corners alive. Of course, the 4C includes Alfa’s DNA drive-mode selector, which juggles parameters to fit your driving style.
MR2 Turbo. Still, a good idea is still a good idea even if it’s an old one. What’s the best part though? After reading through all these mouth-watering specs and looking at these drool-inducing pictures, I suffered from TGTBT sydrome – too good to be true. There’s no way Alfa is going to put a mid-engined 1800lb turbo sports car with curves like Pamela Anderson into production. But err, to quote directly from the press release:
Praise be to the great god Marchionne, who smiles down upon us in his benevolence. For while he may seem to wear the same creepy turtleneck and be adverse to shaving, the man knows how to build cars people want. I would expect the 4C to be priced comparably with cars like the Audi TT, Peugeot RC-Z, and likely the Nissan 370Z, as well as within spitting distance of a base-model Cayman or a 135i. If this car is how Alfa Romeo plans to kick-start their resurgence in the US market, I can’t really think of a better way. Alfa: PLEASE offer Matte Red as a paint option. And a stick shift. I’ll get in line.
To begin with, in 2012 , Alfa Romeo will certainly officially help make the entire pledged introduction for the All of us industry, with the fresh Giulia mid-size style. The auto will likely be accessible in both sedan along with lorry form, and may work with a Fiat 2.4-liter inline-four cylinder powerplant, with all the fresh MultiAir technological innovation, as well as the Pentastar V6 via Chrysler. The autos will probably be filled with front-wheel travel normal as well as all-wheel generate as a possible selection. Your body shades are specially meant to highlight the equilibrium and also purity with the automobile’s lines. Alfa Romeo has evolved a progressive piece of art method regarding the using an initial cover involving starting colors, as well as another coating associated with shaded mica particles designed to enhance the actual luminosity from the color. One more coating is then placed on give a larger, a lot more translucent search. Competizione Reddish is then through with the use of a new clear varnish to emphasise the shades degree.
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeosophisticated along with ageless. Along with that is certainly their cultural commitment to be sure that they’re able to utilize technologies in making their own cars give off below the typical amount of exhaust established from the Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, essential will be the presence of the catalytic ripping tools in every Alfa Romeo.Alfa Romeo idea automobiles get mostly emphasized overall performance in combination with historic convention. The Nuvola Idea, along with the on their own made Queen Idea autos have got established that this particular ethos is the actual center of Alfa conceptualisation. The Centro Stile web site also offers designers excellent direction in terms of the mix of collection and also type Alfa would rather notice inside style technique of its automobile’s body-work.
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeohe fresh MultiAir technological innovation, as well as the Pentastar V6 via Chrysler. The autos will probably be filled with front-wheel travel normal as well as all-wheel generate as a possible selection. Your body shades are specially meant to highlight the equilibrium and also purity with the automobile’s lines. Alfa Romeo has evolved a progressive piece of art method regarding the using an initial cover involving starting colors, as well as another coating associated with shaded mica particles designed to enhance the actual luminosity from the color. One more coating is then placed on give a larger, a lot more translucent search. Competizione Reddish is then through with the use of a new clear varnish to emphasise the shades degree.
Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeoour aesthetically gorgeous cars that easy modest, sophisticated along with ageless. Along with that is certainly their cultural commitment to be sure that they’re able to utilize technologies in making their own cars give off below the typical amount of exhaust established from the Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, essential will be the presence of the catalytic ripping tools in every Alfa Romeo.Alfa Romeo idea automobiles get mostly emphasized overall performance in combination with historic convention. The Nuvola Idea, along with the on their own made Queen Idea autos have got established that this particular ethos is the actual center of Alfa conceptualisation. The Centro Stile web site also offers designers excellent direction in terms of the mix of collection and also type Alfa would rather notice inside style technique of its automobile’s body-work.
