RE: Chris Harris video: Alfa Romeo 4C
Monday 23rd September 2013
I still think the key issue with the 4C is this choice of stellar chassis construction at the perceived expense of a special engine. Yes, the turbo four-cylinder motor isn't a patch on a great normally aspirated effort, but having had a few days to think about the 4C, I'm even more convinced that chasing the Cayman too directly would have ended in disaster.
Chris Harris video: Alfa Romeo 4C
You've read the roadtest, now see Chris Harris drive the Alfa Romeo 4C on film...
The use of struts at the rear is also even more baffling having driven the car. I still can't understand it, but then perhaps the conspiracy theorists who say the back of a 4C is merely the front of a normal hatchback have a point. Fiat isn't exactly dripping with cash right now.
Either way, because of this curious layout, when naked the 4C looks identical to a Tamiya Hornet. Which is quite a strange thing to type.
Discussion
I can't make my mind up with this car. I'm impressed with the weight and technology behind it's production but then for £45k my mind wanders onto other metal for similar money.
Can we just have a £25k version from Fiat please? Replace the fancy CF tub with a clever composite or hemp or summat.
Random thought and this comment will be flamed; BUT...what if Jaguar priced the coupe version of the F-Type (hey Jag, can we have a tiny X-Type coupe?) at £50k or within spitting distance of the 4C? I know one is a lithe drivers car and the other is a bit of a GT bruiser, but pound for pound I can't help feeling the 4C is a little too spartan for it's price tag.
Actually I'm being silly now, a mainstream manufacturer brings something properly PH worthy to the table and I'm looking at heavier, less focused metal!
Can we just have a £25k version from Fiat please? Replace the fancy CF tub with a clever composite or hemp or summat.
Random thought and this comment will be flamed; BUT...what if Jaguar priced the coupe version of the F-Type (hey Jag, can we have a tiny X-Type coupe?) at £50k or within spitting distance of the 4C? I know one is a lithe drivers car and the other is a bit of a GT bruiser, but pound for pound I can't help feeling the 4C is a little too spartan for it's price tag.
Actually I'm being silly now, a mainstream manufacturer brings something properly PH worthy to the table and I'm looking at heavier, less focused metal!
Edited by Hellbound on Monday 23 September 19:40
Personally I'm a strong anti-paddle advocate but that aside, I'm really excited about this car.
It's (relatively) small, economical for its performance (I'd guess) and it's quirky. Maybe Alfa could offer a retrofit redesigned steering wheel option and that would be the icing on the cake.
If Alfa can get their heads around using this car as the keystone of their product direction, it could be exciting times for Alfa.
I expect to see a good few of these 4C's floating around...
It's (relatively) small, economical for its performance (I'd guess) and it's quirky. Maybe Alfa could offer a retrofit redesigned steering wheel option and that would be the icing on the cake.
If Alfa can get their heads around using this car as the keystone of their product direction, it could be exciting times for Alfa.
I expect to see a good few of these 4C's floating around...
Liking this car more and more every time I see it.
I've even warmed up to the shape significantly - I've always liked the curviness, but something about the detailing didn't sit right for me - until seeing the fleet of them under the harsh lights in Chris's video, in ordinary solid, bold, red (no mucking about with metallics thanks) it looks phenomenal. I'm even warming up to the headlights, though I still think that's a missed opportunity.
I've even warmed up to the shape significantly - I've always liked the curviness, but something about the detailing didn't sit right for me - until seeing the fleet of them under the harsh lights in Chris's video, in ordinary solid, bold, red (no mucking about with metallics thanks) it looks phenomenal. I'm even warming up to the headlights, though I still think that's a missed opportunity.
Ok, I am choosing colors and trim now. But a bit baffled by the fact that there is an OPTIONAL "sport" suspension. On a car like this?
What does it mean?
Does it mean the normal suspension is soggy and the sport suspension is the one to have, and non-retrofit-table?
Or does it mean bonehard fun-destroying dampers that ruins everything?
And what version was Chris driving?
What does it mean?
Does it mean the normal suspension is soggy and the sport suspension is the one to have, and non-retrofit-table?
Or does it mean bonehard fun-destroying dampers that ruins everything?
And what version was Chris driving?
caraddict said:
Can Alfa fast forward to RWD V6 6-speed, sedans please. If the 156 GTA was RWD it would have been on my Top 10 all time favourite cars. I was looking forward to a 159 GTA also but noooo
So was i, the 159 is one of the best looking saloons ever, a 159 version would have been epic if the rumours of a maserati V8 proved true, in the end we got noting at all 
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