Monday 23rd September 2013

Chris Harris video: Alfa Romeo 4C

You've read the roadtest, now see Chris Harris drive the Alfa Romeo 4C on film...

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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.

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.

Enjoy the vid.

 

 

[Hellbound]

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!

Edited by Hellbound on Monday 23 September 19:40