RE: Alfa Romeo 4C spied testing

[kambites]

JulianCharity said:

Am I the only one that thinks it looks a little bulbous???

No, I'm not keen on the styling of the concept at all. The overall proportions seem to mimic the Elise quite closely (which isn't really a good thing, the Elise is rather stubby looking) but it looks like it's been inflated like a balloon.

Also what the hell is that line across the middle of the bonnet on the rendering. It's completely asymmetrical and doesn't exist on the concept as far as I can see. Same with the line across the roof.

[ZesPak]

BaronVonVaderham said:

Not a looker. Did the chap that did the Hyundai Veloster style this one too?

each to their own, I like the look of both.

[Mr E]

Twincam16 said:

Are you sure about the 'head-to-head with the GT86, BRZ & RCZ' thing? I thought it was going to be a £40k Elise rival.

cayman-black said:

Looks nice . I hope its under 40k.

So do I, but I can't see it if it has a carbon tub.
I really hope it's aggressively priced and sells well.

[kambites]

My guess would be that it'll be priced hard against the new Cayman, so 45k upwards?

Either that or the weight will rise and it'll end up with ~200bhp/tonne priced at abut 35k.

[chunkymonkey71]

Looks excellent, but it'll only go down the road of all the other Alfas these days. Gorgeous but totally outclassed by the opposition.

That said, it really does look great!

[YsterSwart]

Hi guys,

I have some inside info on this car.. I know a few people at Alfa Romeo.

Firstly.. The US version of the 4C is delayed slightly.. AR feels the 4C in US needs some tweaking compared to the Euro version.. So the European version of the 4C will not be delayed.. It will make its production spec launch and reveal at Geneva in March 2013.

There will be a launch version of the 4C.. Specific colour and content that won't be available on the full production car.. 100 of these launch versions in LHD and 100 in RHD

The circa weight is below 900kgs..

It will have the new 1750cc engine (this has aluminum block whereas the current Giulietta QV doesn't have this. This engine is some 30kga lighter and in heavy tune can make 300bhp). But if weight is less than 900kgs it's highly unlikely this car will make more than 250bhp

Will have launch control

Will have the Alfa DNA system

Strong likelyhood that there will be a button to disable the DNA system (or at least disable the traction control. Since you currently can't disable this with the DNA system).

I was told I'll get more details and specs end of the month.. I shall post it here as soon as I get it..

[kambites]

Any chances of a manual gearbox and/or a normally aspirated version of the engine?

I really can't see 900kg unless it ends up as stripped-out as the Elise.

[richyd]

wo-hoo..!!! 900kg would be amazing in a modern, all geographies car....

Bet the launch colour is that deep metallic red that the publicity shots show....

I have registered my interest, lets see if it comes to anything

[ZesPak]

chunkymonkey71 said:

Looks excellent, but it'll only go down the road of all the other Alfas these days. Gorgeous but totally outclassed by the opposition.

That said, it really does look great!

Depends what you mean by "outclassed" imho.

Outclassed in terms of styling? I don't think so.
Interior? Eye of the beholder, but Alfa has had some very nice class-leading interiors (159 for example).
Engine? Fiat is making some of the most efficient powerful engines, and the 1750 TBi is one of the best sounding 4-pots.

So maybe built quality, dynamic ability? We'll see, but to say it's "totally outclassed" is presumptuous imho.

[Frimley111R]

YsterSwart said:

The circa weight is below 900kgs..

My Elise weighs about 850kg with a/c fitted and a few other nice bits. I just don't believe for a moment it'll be under 1000kg unless they are weighing it without wheels. The only way I could possibly see it getting near 1000kg is it if does have a CF main structure. If it does then £££!

[YsterSwart]

Richyd..

I can put you in contact with someone if you want a launch edition? Can you send me a private message or something?

It does have a cf tub..

Costs I was told will be a 'little' more than 45K Euros.. But little is relative and it might be 50K Euros in the end.

It will not have an NA engine in and it will only have the TCT transmission

[kambites]

Oh well. I suppose once they start to depreciate, an engine and gearbox swap might be possible.

[Strawman]

YsterSwart said:

It does have a cf tub..

Ace, have they managed to reduce the costs of this through production-ising the process more?

[V6Alfisti]

YsterSwart said:

Hi guys,

I have some inside info on this car.. I know a few people at Alfa Romeo.

Firstly.. The US version of the 4C is delayed slightly.. AR feels the 4C in US needs some tweaking compared to the Euro version.. So the European version of the 4C will not be delayed.. It will make its production spec launch and reveal at Geneva in March 2013.

There will be a launch version of the 4C.. Specific colour and content that won't be available on the full production car.. 100 of these launch versions in LHD and 100 in RHD

The circa weight is below 900kgs..

It will have the new 1750cc engine (this has aluminum block whereas the current Giulietta QV doesn't have this. This engine is some 30kga lighter and in heavy tune can make 300bhp). But if weight is less than 900kgs it's highly unlikely this car will make more than 250bhp

Will have launch control

Will have the Alfa DNA system

Strong likelyhood that there will be a button to disable the DNA system (or at least disable the traction control. Since you currently can't disable this with the DNA system).

I was told I'll get more details and specs end of the month.. I shall post it here as soon as I get it..

Having read lots of information from insiders/press e.t.c the above is a good summary of what we know about the 4C so far.

The 4C is also purported to have sharper creases on the door, but that information is more 50/50.

Also noise about well...the noise. Insider's are saying it's being setup to sound like an Alfa should and not like more recent efforts.

The Giulietta QV also has launch control, Alfa just forgot to tell anyone!

The interior is supposedly lighter than the concept, although I have only read this one and would take with pinch of salt.

If the sub 1000kg, 230+hp engine, use of CF, Alfa noise, Alfa design are on offer for sub 50k. I think it should be a very interesting car indeed (in fact one of the only cars of recent years I would consider buying new). Yes a little pricier than some would like, but I suspect you would struggle to find anything else new with the same exotic materials, stand out design, RWD, power to weight.

Closest is of course the Exige, I don't really count the Porsche's as a direct competitor as I suspect/hope this will be more of a compromise than a Cayman.

Edited by V6Alfisti on Wednesday 16th January 15:14

[otolith]

Frimley111R said:

YsterSwart said:

The circa weight is below 900kgs..

My Elise weighs about 850kg with a/c fitted and a few other nice bits. I just don't believe for a moment it'll be under 1000kg unless they are weighing it without wheels. The only way I could possibly see it getting near 1000kg is it if does have a CF main structure. If it does then £££!

It would appear that the carbon fibre tub has gone, but there is still substantial structural use of carbon. Frankly, given what an early S2 Elise weighs, a modern interpretation using lightweight materials to offset a plusher interior should be able to come in at 900kg.

In terms of cost, CF is rapidly moving to the mainstream. The BMW i3 is going to be a carbon fibre passenger cell sat on an aluminium chassis, and is expected to launch this year priced around the top end of 1-series money.

[otolith]

YsterSwart said:

It does have a cf tub..

Interesting - it was being reported that it is only part CF, with aluminium front and rear?

[nickfrog]

YsterSwart said:

It does have a cf tub..

That's amazing, thanks for the info.

I found it funny that you remembered those other bits before telling us it had a CF chassis though !

"Will have launch control
Will have the Alfa DNA system
Strong likelyhood that there will be a button to disable the DNA system (or at least disable the traction control. Since you currently can't disable this with the DNA system)."

[YsterSwart]

Okay let me corret myself..

Most of the tub is carbon.. The rest is SMC. But I am told its mostly cf to keep the weight down.. Alfa's main aim is low weight..

And remember this car is small.. Less than 4meters..

I'm told cf is getting cheaper as more car manufacturers use it and more people start producing the stuff..

And yes this car will sound the part... So it won't just look sporty it will sound like and Alfa.. I am trying to get a video clip of the noise but no luck

There are a few exterior changes but it's minimal.. Mostly the lights, the door handle, fog lights and the air intake

V6alfisti your name looks familiar... You on alfaowner?

The TCT GiuliettAs and MiTos have launch control.. As for as I know the manual cars don't

If I get more details on the car I'll post it here..

Edited by YsterSwart on Wednesday 16th January 15:23

Edited by YsterSwart on Wednesday 16th January 15:25

[ZesPak]

YsterSwart said:

I'm told cf is getting cheaper as more car manufacturers use it and more people start producing the stuff..

Hmm, as far as I remember, it's also a very labour-intense process to manufacture carbon parts, hard to automise as well.

And if Alfa can do that honestly I'd be amazed, from companies with monster budgets like MB, BMW or VAG, I wouldn't be surprised, but from Alfa. (although they have some knowledge from ferrari maybe?)

[iSore]

will_ said:

I really hope this is a sub £30k affordable sportscar.

What, something thousands of people will be able to buy? Sounds a bit to sensible for Alfa!

As for Elise rival - who buys Elises? About 40 folk a year?