RE: Alfa Romeo 4C - first official pictures
Discussion
otolith said:
I think an Elise with chassis damage is generally a write-off.
I think the other options might have meant an uncompetitive power to weight ratio or a spartan interior or higher emissions than Alfa want. I wonder how the tooling costs play out for a relatively low volume car.
I dunno. Would of made it a bit heavier, but then it could of had a proper engine, ie V6. I think the other options might have meant an uncompetitive power to weight ratio or a spartan interior or higher emissions than Alfa want. I wonder how the tooling costs play out for a relatively low volume car.
Grovsie26 said:
otolith said:
I think an Elise with chassis damage is generally a write-off.
I think the other options might have meant an uncompetitive power to weight ratio or a spartan interior or higher emissions than Alfa want. I wonder how the tooling costs play out for a relatively low volume car.
I dunno. Would have made it a bit heavier, but then it could have had a proper engine, ie V6. I think the other options might have meant an uncompetitive power to weight ratio or a spartan interior or higher emissions than Alfa want. I wonder how the tooling costs play out for a relatively low volume car.
otolith said:
I guess I'm accustomed to the compromise of putting up with a peasant engine in order to have a light car. A six cylinder soundtrack would be wonderful, but I'd rather have the lightness. I'd have a V6 Exige or an Evora, but for different reasons.
The Exige roadster is this car's natural competitor really and it just makes a better argument for itself currently. At least it actually exists now Mostly... Trust me, this time last yr at Geneva when all I saw was empty Lotus promises on the roadster, the 4C not present "canned by Sergio" being the Mission line and Morgan telling me the EVA was no more...it was just bloody depressing. Even Merc unveiling the new ML decided not to replace the one we own. Deej - thy name is Jonah!
otolith said:
I guess I'm accustomed to the compromise of putting up with a peasant engine in order to have a light car. A six cylinder soundtrack would be wonderful, but I'd rather have the lightness. I'd have a V6 Exige or an Evora, but for different reasons.
Maserati Tipo 61 did ok with a peasant engine.Esseesse said:
They haven't really got one though have they? Although I suppose Fiat does have the option of using the Chrysler Pentastar V6 engine, which is mean't to be quite good.
They can't do that - that brings us back to SM's 'wop engine' comments, i.e. for Alfas (not just this one) to sell in the US, they have to have Italian engines.Anyway, they do have one - the Maserati V6 (built by Ferrari) as destined for the new QP. But, it'd be too heavy, and the car would have to be called the 6C.
stephen300o said:
otolith said:
I guess I'm accustomed to the compromise of putting up with a peasant engine in order to have a light car. A six cylinder soundtrack would be wonderful, but I'd rather have the lightness. I'd have a V6 Exige or an Evora, but for different reasons.
Maserati Tipo 61 did ok with a peasant engine.otolith said:
stephen300o said:
otolith said:
I guess I'm accustomed to the compromise of putting up with a peasant engine in order to have a light car. A six cylinder soundtrack would be wonderful, but I'd rather have the lightness. I'd have a V6 Exige or an Evora, but for different reasons.
Maserati Tipo 61 did ok with a peasant engine.otolith said:
stephen300o said:
You haven't heard one have you? Lol
Yes, I've heard one, but you need to put it in context - for instance, at Le Mans, with V12 Ferraris, V8 Corvettes and straight six Jaguars, Astons and Austin Healeys.stephen300o said:
Just a different type of sound, I prefer the sound of the little-ish four pot Tipo to the Healey, Aston and V8 Vettes, the V12 Ferrari is way ahead but the Alfa is a little sports car not a GT, I recon the little four banger will suit it's character well.
I think it's the only way to go for this kind of car. If there was an option to fit one of those tiny V8s built from a couple of motorcycle engines (or a proper compact ligthweight motorsport V8) or even a wankel engine, that would be fantastic, but they're just not a realistic proposition for something like this in terms of cost, durability, fuel efficiency, etc. I've done what I can with exhaust and induction to make my Elise sound a bit less boring. Still, every time I drive the 350Z I wish the Elise sounded more like that - but it can't, and fitting an engine that did would turn it into a different kind of car. I could have had a Boxster instead if I'd wanted a heavy sports car with a six cylinder soundtrack, but that's a different kind of experience.
trashbat said:
Esseesse said:
They haven't really got one though have they? Although I suppose Fiat does have the option of using the Chrysler Pentastar V6 engine, which is mean't to be quite good.
They can't do that - that brings us back to SM's 'wop engine' comments, i.e. for Alfas (not just this one) to sell in the US, they have to have Italian engines.trashbat said:
Anyway, they do have one - the Maserati V6 (built by Ferrari) as destined for the new QP. But, it'd be too heavy, and the car would have to be called the 6C.
You're right I'd forgotten about the Maserati V6. Think I read that they might end up building a small Maserati based on the same platform as the 4c, I suppose that could have the Maser V6... ~1100kg and 400+ bhp.
If they revert those front lights to the concept version - I'll buy one. However, as it stands, those are the worst looking headlights I've seen on any car. I've seen cheap Chinese replacement eBay lights that look better than that.
Shame about the loss of the Italian flag on the mirrors, but I can always paint one on. Test driving as soon as it's possible, I've got high hopes for the handling.
Shame about the loss of the Italian flag on the mirrors, but I can always paint one on. Test driving as soon as it's possible, I've got high hopes for the handling.
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