RE: Alfa Romeo 4C: Review
Discussion
Great review Mr H; I've really been hoping this car will be a good drive; I love the looks (apart from the lights, but they're growing on me), the brave engineering and above all the attention to detail in saving weight.
For me a Cayman would seem disappointing where a 4C would excite me no end. I think this will prove to be a marmite car; for the time being I sit firmly in the 'love' camp...
I can't wait to see one on the road!
For me a Cayman would seem disappointing where a 4C would excite me no end. I think this will prove to be a marmite car; for the time being I sit firmly in the 'love' camp...
I can't wait to see one on the road!
So it's a good car. I get it. However, I think it'd be much better if it had a great big V8. It'd have to be bigger and heavier but that's fine. They could use an engine from Ferrari, and borrow some other bits from Maserati. Hopefully make less of them too, as 3500 a year lets every peasant have at least a dozen. Also it's late - if we could have had it about six years ago, I'd have bought one. But I won't now, because of what a disappointment it's been. Alfa never make what I want. Maybe if they do a Spider. But still no, because it'll rust.
Great review. Really informative. Thanks.
Comparing this to the Cayman seems like comparing the F40 to the 959 back in the day. Two completely different animals. But surely any real car enthusiast should be happy that Alfa has made this car. And hopefully it's a sign of things to come from them.
My dealer told me totally modified, 8C-style headlights are on the way after all the criticism these ones have received.
Speaking of the 8C... I drove one on track and as for it being "hopeless" all I can say is that in my opinion Evo's review(or Gavin Green in CAR...) was far more accurate than the Top-Gear one that seems to have misinformed a lot of people. It's a pleasure to drive fast. Clarkson's review was a farce..
Comparing this to the Cayman seems like comparing the F40 to the 959 back in the day. Two completely different animals. But surely any real car enthusiast should be happy that Alfa has made this car. And hopefully it's a sign of things to come from them.
My dealer told me totally modified, 8C-style headlights are on the way after all the criticism these ones have received.
Speaking of the 8C... I drove one on track and as for it being "hopeless" all I can say is that in my opinion Evo's review(or Gavin Green in CAR...) was far more accurate than the Top-Gear one that seems to have misinformed a lot of people. It's a pleasure to drive fast. Clarkson's review was a farce..
I didn't initially like the idea a few years back, but it is becoming increasingly obvious that the continued push for power and speed on today's roads is killing driver enjoyment.
I have had porches and fast BMW and its increasingly hard to actually get real enjoyment with the heavy traffic and speed restrictions.
It is also becoming hard to justify a big V6/ v8 / straight 6 ( and I've run each one) when emissions and fuel costs are taken into account.
I tried a twinair Mito this week, fast NO, but fun very much so, redlining it and whipping round the roads at legal speeds and doing 40 + mpg with low emissions.
Never though I would say it, but a small engine with turbo is really relevant today and will give more smiles more often than a 400 hp v8.
Still needs a manual though for me, but certainly going to give this one a try.
I have had porches and fast BMW and its increasingly hard to actually get real enjoyment with the heavy traffic and speed restrictions.
It is also becoming hard to justify a big V6/ v8 / straight 6 ( and I've run each one) when emissions and fuel costs are taken into account.
I tried a twinair Mito this week, fast NO, but fun very much so, redlining it and whipping round the roads at legal speeds and doing 40 + mpg with low emissions.
Never though I would say it, but a small engine with turbo is really relevant today and will give more smiles more often than a 400 hp v8.
Still needs a manual though for me, but certainly going to give this one a try.
A lot of very blinkered opinions on here. Re-read Chris's article and "Curates egg" springs to mind.
I would dearly love this car to be unequivocally brilliant- but I just wonder if there are too many compromises? (Width, styling, those headlights, engine, gearbox to name but a few)
Guess I'll just have to drive one- otherwise the piggy bank set aside for a 105GTA will remain intact.
I would dearly love this car to be unequivocally brilliant- but I just wonder if there are too many compromises? (Width, styling, those headlights, engine, gearbox to name but a few)
Guess I'll just have to drive one- otherwise the piggy bank set aside for a 105GTA will remain intact.
Great report as usual from Chris.
After all the hype and build up around this car, I soooo wanted Alfa to get it right, I almost couldn't bring myself to read it in case it was a disaster.
Need not have worried though, looks like it delivers on its promises, and I sincerely hope this is the start of a new era for Alfa.
After all the hype and build up around this car, I soooo wanted Alfa to get it right, I almost couldn't bring myself to read it in case it was a disaster.
Need not have worried though, looks like it delivers on its promises, and I sincerely hope this is the start of a new era for Alfa.
"And I suppose that statement kind of answers my suspicions that the 4C would have been better had it not used an expensive carbon tub and instead used the cash on an exotic motor with more cylinders."
This was my initial thought upon reading the specs too. With a small capacity v6, or even a n/a 4 and it would've become appealing in my eyes, although having an automatic gearbox renders it pointless anyway.
Quite a lukewarm review then Chris - not sure if that's because it's not as amazing as people dreamt it might be, or because the Cayman is so good.
This was my initial thought upon reading the specs too. With a small capacity v6, or even a n/a 4 and it would've become appealing in my eyes, although having an automatic gearbox renders it pointless anyway.
Quite a lukewarm review then Chris - not sure if that's because it's not as amazing as people dreamt it might be, or because the Cayman is so good.
PunterCam said:
"And I suppose that statement kind of answers my suspicions that the 4C would have been better had it not used an expensive carbon tub and instead used the cash on an exotic motor with more cylinders."
This was my initial thought upon reading the specs too. With a small capacity v6, or even a n/a 4 and it would've become appealing in my eyes, although having an automatic gearbox renders it pointless anyway.
Quite a lukewarm review then Chris - not sure if that's because it's not as amazing as people dreamt it might be, or because the Cayman is so good.
Do you often quote selectively/out of context to change to change the meaning?This was my initial thought upon reading the specs too. With a small capacity v6, or even a n/a 4 and it would've become appealing in my eyes, although having an automatic gearbox renders it pointless anyway.
Quite a lukewarm review then Chris - not sure if that's because it's not as amazing as people dreamt it might be, or because the Cayman is so good.
Chris Harris said:
And I suppose that statement kind of answers my suspicions that the 4C would have been better had it not used an expensive carbon tub and instead used the cash on an exotic motor with more cylinders. That car would just have been a Cayman wannabe, the 4C is something more direct, something new.
It isn't for everyone, but I really, really enjoyed it.
It isn't for everyone, but I really, really enjoyed it.
Interesting review, and a good read (no surprise there), molto grazie!
Car sounds very promising IMO. It wouldn't be perfect without a few little flaws (ie. bug-eye headlamps, DC gearbox
). Almost glad they have built in some "character". Think the interior looks quite good actually, and as the rest of the car, it seems to sit nicely between the more focused Elise S and the softer Cayman.
Little thing also does look really good in the flesh. Pix from IAA below and more here http://wp10923399.server-he.de/coppermine/thumbnai... .
The first Alfa I like since they moved on from the 156/147/159/GT styling principles.
Price wise it is a steal IMO @ 45k GBP.
Doubt they will have trouble selling the 3500 specimens they plan to make per year, so residuals will probably be quite high. Wish list: cheaper manual transmission version with less boost/power, perhaps even from a 1.4 Multiair. Won't happen though, absolutely certain it will sell fine like this.
Car sounds very promising IMO. It wouldn't be perfect without a few little flaws (ie. bug-eye headlamps, DC gearbox
). Almost glad they have built in some "character". Think the interior looks quite good actually, and as the rest of the car, it seems to sit nicely between the more focused Elise S and the softer Cayman. Little thing also does look really good in the flesh. Pix from IAA below and more here http://wp10923399.server-he.de/coppermine/thumbnai... .
The first Alfa I like since they moved on from the 156/147/159/GT styling principles.
Price wise it is a steal IMO @ 45k GBP.
Doubt they will have trouble selling the 3500 specimens they plan to make per year, so residuals will probably be quite high. Wish list: cheaper manual transmission version with less boost/power, perhaps even from a 1.4 Multiair. Won't happen though, absolutely certain it will sell fine like this.
TA14 said:
PunterCam said:
"And I suppose that statement kind of answers my suspicions that the 4C would have been better had it not used an expensive carbon tub and instead used the cash on an exotic motor with more cylinders."
This was my initial thought upon reading the specs too. With a small capacity v6, or even a n/a 4 and it would've become appealing in my eyes, although having an automatic gearbox renders it pointless anyway.
Quite a lukewarm review then Chris - not sure if that's because it's not as amazing as people dreamt it might be, or because the Cayman is so good.
Do you often quote selectively/out of context to change to change the meaning?This was my initial thought upon reading the specs too. With a small capacity v6, or even a n/a 4 and it would've become appealing in my eyes, although having an automatic gearbox renders it pointless anyway.
Quite a lukewarm review then Chris - not sure if that's because it's not as amazing as people dreamt it might be, or because the Cayman is so good.
Chris Harris said:
And I suppose that statement kind of answers my suspicions that the 4C would have been better had it not used an expensive carbon tub and instead used the cash on an exotic motor with more cylinders. That car would just have been a Cayman wannabe, the 4C is something more direct, something new.
It isn't for everyone, but I really, really enjoyed it.
It isn't for everyone, but I really, really enjoyed it.
What he goes on to say has nothing to do with his speculation.
I think that paragraph was rather hastily written to get the review out of the door quickly, and is a bit ambiguous.
My interpretation of it is that Chris was INITIALLY concerned that the money would have been better spent on a more interesting engine than the carbon tub, but that he NOW realises that they were right all along to spend it where they have (to provide some differentation from Cayman).
Only Mr Harris can say if my interpretation is correct :-)
On a completely different note. I am 99% sure that the stereo is a Parrot Asteroid unit. I had one in one of my previous cars, and it is certainly better than just about any OEM stereo I have had. It has no CD mechanism but it does have Android OS (to run apps), iPod connectivity, excellent bluetooth phone connectivity and music streaming, a really good class D amp and a superb screen. And whats more, due to the lack of CD and the type of amp used, all of this is packaged in a half-depth single DIN unit - so therefore, it is VERY light weight..... :-)
Cheers,
Jerry
My interpretation of it is that Chris was INITIALLY concerned that the money would have been better spent on a more interesting engine than the carbon tub, but that he NOW realises that they were right all along to spend it where they have (to provide some differentation from Cayman).
Only Mr Harris can say if my interpretation is correct :-)
On a completely different note. I am 99% sure that the stereo is a Parrot Asteroid unit. I had one in one of my previous cars, and it is certainly better than just about any OEM stereo I have had. It has no CD mechanism but it does have Android OS (to run apps), iPod connectivity, excellent bluetooth phone connectivity and music streaming, a really good class D amp and a superb screen. And whats more, due to the lack of CD and the type of amp used, all of this is packaged in a half-depth single DIN unit - so therefore, it is VERY light weight..... :-)
Cheers,
Jerry
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