RE: Alfa Romeo 4C spied testing

RE: Alfa Romeo 4C spied testing

Wednesday 16th January 2013

Alfa Romeo 4C spied testing

Baby 8C video'd on an expressway in Michigan



With anticipation about the Alfa Romeo 4C building, we were more than a little excited to see this video (doing the rounds via Autoweek) which has just emerged of Alfa’s new baby caught doing some cold weather testing in Michigan. It’s only served to whet our appetites for the new small coupe yet further.

Even under the heavy disguise it looks sharp
Even under the heavy disguise it looks sharp
While there isn't a clear view of the finished car yet, the proportions of this test mule give us a fair idea that the finished car will look extremely similar to the 4C Concept that was toured around the motor show circuit last year. Which can only be a good thing, as that was a knee-tremblingly exciting thing to behold.

The 4C will go head-to-head with the Toyota GT86, Subaru BRZ and Peugeot RCZ, thus making it a much-valued entrant into the market for small, affordable coupes. It’s expected to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, although some reports have suggested that is development may have been delayed. Either way, when it does turn up, it looks like it’ll be a mouthwatering proposition, with a turbocharged 1.7-litre engine that’ll push out at least 200hp. If it handles as well as it looks, it’ll be a pretty hard package to beat.

[Sources: Autoweek, via GT Spirit]

 

Author
Discussion

simonigrale

Original Poster:

918 posts

205 months

Wednesday 16th January 2013
quotequote all
I've put in a letter of intent at my local Alfa Dealer. I'm told that means nothing and the car may not go into production. They wouldn't even take a deposit off me!

Hopefully they'll build it !!!

Uncle John

4,270 posts

190 months

Wednesday 16th January 2013
quotequote all
Can't wait for this!!

8vFTW

415 posts

152 months

Wednesday 16th January 2013
quotequote all
I quite liked the 4C concepts, but I was never under the impression the final car would be "affordable" when compared to something like BR-Z, 370z etc.

moribund

4,030 posts

213 months

Wednesday 16th January 2013
quotequote all
Isn't going to be twice the price of the above listed competitors? Thought it was more in Exige territory?

Twincam16

27,646 posts

257 months

Wednesday 16th January 2013
quotequote all
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.

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Wednesday 16th January 2013
quotequote all
Any word on the specs and/or price recently? Are they still talking about CF tubs and other unlikely sounding things, or have they become more modest?

I'm not sure it can really compete with the cars you mention without being a 2+2, though, and I'd be quite surprised if it can match them on price.

Chickentonight

49 posts

143 months

Wednesday 16th January 2013
quotequote all
Can't imagine that being very cheap :s looks beautiful though, even when covered up smile

Bullett

10,873 posts

183 months

Wednesday 16th January 2013
quotequote all
I always thought this would be competing with the Cayman on price and configuration.

simonrockman

6,843 posts

254 months

Wednesday 16th January 2013
quotequote all
I was outside the Alfa dealer in Baker Street this week, If I'd not been late for a meeting I would have gone in to ask if they would take a deposit.

Simon

cayman-black

12,625 posts

215 months

Wednesday 16th January 2013
quotequote all
Looks nice . I hope its under 40k.

ZesPak

24,421 posts

195 months

Wednesday 16th January 2013
quotequote all
Front looks ace, even covered up. I always loved the Elise styling, but thought the front let it down.

No way this'll be a RCZ competitor, more boxter/cayman.

C.A.R.

3,967 posts

187 months

Wednesday 16th January 2013
quotequote all
Still remember seeing the mock-up / concept at Goodwood in 2011. Looked good then, but it's taking them a while to get it built!

ZesPak

24,421 posts

195 months

Wednesday 16th January 2013
quotequote all
ps:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedd...
Look at 0:30 for the shot.

Didn't they promise that they'll put it into production by 2012?

EK993

1,925 posts

250 months

Wednesday 16th January 2013
quotequote all
Posted this earlier in the other 4C thread that is running - it was announced Monday this week at Detroit that it has been delayed - again.

The comment was "The car is not where it needs to be,", whioh doesn't sound good.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130114/DETROIT/1...

angry jock

1,005 posts

198 months

Wednesday 16th January 2013
quotequote all
Scrof said:
Well if it's going to be £40k, it won't be an Elise rival, especially as the Elise is a roadster. And assuming it does use the 1.75 turbo, if it's priced to compete with Exige/Cayman et al, it's going to be seriously outgunned power-wise. Hence my pick of the above competitors.
When I was still at ALFA, they were talking about 300bhp from the 1750. Its producing 235bhp in soft tune in the Giulietta QV.
Weight wise if it even approaches ALFAs target weight of 1000 kgs it will be significantly lighter than the Cayman so power to weight will be a big improvement.
Not sure if Exige is really the target for them on this.

As has been said though, lets see if they actually build it and if we even see it RHD if they do.

will_

6,027 posts

202 months

Wednesday 16th January 2013
quotequote all
I really hope this is a sub £30k affordable sportscar.

I fear it will be a £50k disappointment.

Scrof

197 posts

153 months

Wednesday 16th January 2013
quotequote all
angry jock said:
When I was still at ALFA, they were talking about 300bhp from the 1750. Its producing 235bhp in soft tune in the Giulietta QV.
Weight wise if it even approaches ALFAs target weight of 1000 kgs it will be significantly lighter than the Cayman so power to weight will be a big improvement.
Not sure if Exige is really the target for them on this.

As has been said though, lets see if they actually build it and if we even see it RHD if they do.
Fair comment; I hadn't considered the weight aspect, actually. If what you say is true, then it will indeed be up there with the Cayman in terms of its performance; that said, I'd still love to think it'll be available sub-£30k. Wishful thinking talking? Perhaps.

Killer2005

19,595 posts

227 months

Wednesday 16th January 2013
quotequote all
ZesPak said:
ps:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedd...
Look at 0:30 for the shot.

Didn't they promise that they'll put it into production by 2012?
Looks like a mini GTR

JulianCharity

50 posts

173 months

Wednesday 16th January 2013
quotequote all
Am I the only one that thinks it looks a little bulbous???

BaronVonVaderham

2,316 posts

146 months

Wednesday 16th January 2013
quotequote all
Not a looker. Did the chap that did the Hyundai Veloster style this one too?