Anyone have any 'inside' info on the Alfa 4C?
Discussion
RichB said:
Well I would assume the starting point would be to talk in person to your preferred Alfa Romeo dealer. For example I would talk to the chaps at SGT because I know them. So as I say it depends on where you live who you want to deal with.
I got a letter a month or so ago from SGT saying that they'd closed down as they sold the site for development. Apparently the Alfa sales have been taken over by Fiat in Slough
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4qNLC29Jjc&sns...
Stupid music overlay plus I drove that hill faster in a MiTo Twinair last December.
Still, stunning. Glad my LE arrived today
Simon
Stupid music overlay plus I drove that hill faster in a MiTo Twinair last December.
Still, stunning. Glad my LE arrived today
Simon
In the last two years, I've registered on the Alfa website 4 times, liked their Facebook 4c page, emailed my dealer.....but I've not received any info at all.
Maybe Alfa are playing it cool, rather than just being incompetent
If it had been Porsche, they'd have had a pinstriped ex-Foxtons slime merchant on my doorstep in seconds.
Maybe Alfa are playing it cool, rather than just being incompetent
If it had been Porsche, they'd have had a pinstriped ex-Foxtons slime merchant on my doorstep in seconds.
Squadrone Rosso said:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4qNLC29Jjc&sns...
Stupid music overlay plus I drove that hill faster in a MiTo Twinair last December.
Still, stunning. Glad my LE arrived today
Simon
That is lovely, even nicer on the move. I am not a 'New' car buyer historically but this is one of very few cars where it makes you think twice and just tempts you to put an order down.Stupid music overlay plus I drove that hill faster in a MiTo Twinair last December.
Still, stunning. Glad my LE arrived today
Simon
- Tries to find a way of putting a block on any payments to Alfa Romeo UK*
I popped down to my local Alfa dealer this morning to check out the situation with the 4C they only had a four page colour photocopy detailing the Launch Edition.
I have decided not to put down a £1K deposit as I really need to sit in it and get out comfortably and until I can do this with an actual production car I'm reluctant to part with my money.
I may break with my tradition of buying cars when they are about 4 years old so as to not get shafted with depreciation with the 4C and actually purchase a new car, the last time I did this was with the original M5 don't ask how long ago that was.
I have decided not to put down a £1K deposit as I really need to sit in it and get out comfortably and until I can do this with an actual production car I'm reluctant to part with my money.
I may break with my tradition of buying cars when they are about 4 years old so as to not get shafted with depreciation with the 4C and actually purchase a new car, the last time I did this was with the original M5 don't ask how long ago that was.
Rythmic slapping said:
My Top Gear magazine arrived the other day and they have mentioned that the 4C will be reviewed or driven in the next issue out in October. So there must be some cars knocking about.
I think in the next few days they are bringing all the press together to have a drive, keep your eyes peeled.Redlake27 said:
In the last two years, I've registered on the Alfa website 4 times, liked their Facebook 4c page, emailed my dealer.....but I've not received any info at all.
Maybe Alfa are playing it cool, rather than just being incompetent
If it had been Porsche, they'd have had a pinstriped ex-Foxtons slime merchant on my doorstep in seconds.
Two months on ....and further registrations on their website, Facebook page and dealer page.....I still don't have any info from Alfa.Maybe Alfa are playing it cool, rather than just being incompetent
If it had been Porsche, they'd have had a pinstriped ex-Foxtons slime merchant on my doorstep in seconds.
In that time, Porsche have sent me a Cayman brochure, let me drive one for 90mins at Silverstone and invited me for a Vol-au-vent or two .
I want to try the Alfa. But Alfa won't let me. They need to fire their marketing agency....
Latest video from Alfa with Fisichella driving at Balocco, sounds good!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AHiiQz4Gy8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AHiiQz4Gy8
Latest press release
ALFA ROMEO 4C DETAILS ANNOUNCED
 Alfa Romeo 4C marks a return to lightweight sports coupés for the brand
 Advanced materials and construction ensure lightness and rigidity
 Compact, agile and engineered for pure driving satisfaction
 Supercar performance with impressive economy and emissions
 Priced from £45,000 OTR
Designed, engineered and built as a pure driving machine, the all-new Alfa Romeo 4C is an uncompromised thoroughbred that marks the return to the world of lightweight sports coupés for the Alfa Romeo brand. Its natural beauty is defined by function; the need to wrap the engine and chassis in a compact, aerodynamically-efficient shape, making it a worthy descendent of one of the most beautiful coupés of all time: the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.
Designed and engineered by Alfa Romeo and built at the Maserati plant in Modena, the mid-engined Alfa Romeo 4C employs the latest technologies of Alfa Romeo's newest models: The new, all-aluminium 1750 Turbo Petrol engine; the latest-generation ALFA TCT dry twin clutch semi-automatic transmission and the Alfa D.N.A. driving mode selector - now with a new “Race” mode.
Carbon-fibre was chosen for the one-piece monocoque due its high levels of structural rigidity and exceptionally low weight – just 65kg – and is built using sophisticated Formula 1-derived technologies, evolved especially for Alfa Romeo. SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound), which is lighter than both steel and aluminium, is used for the bodywork while even the thickness of the glass has been slimmed down by 15% to help reduce the Alfa Romeo 4C’s overall weight.
Less than 4m in length and with a wheelbase of 2.38m, the Alfa Romeo 4C’s compact shape accentuates its remarkable agility: With a dry weight of 895kg and a 40:60 front-to-rear weight distribution, the Alfa Romeo 4C is capable of generating 1.1g of lateral acceleration and in excess of 1.2g of deceleration force.
To optimise handling, its double-wishbone front suspension is secured directly to the monocoque while the rear uses a performance-tuned MacPherson arrangement. The brakes, engineered with track use in mind, employ a patented aluminium/cast iron hybrid construction complete with ventilated, cross-drilled 305mm/292mm discs (F/R) clamped by Brembo® calipers. 17-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels are standard, while 18/19-inch wheels with Alfa Romeo’s signature five-hole design are optional.
Power comes courtesy of a new four-cylinder turbo engine which, thanks to its aluminium block, is 22kg lighter than the engine that powers the Alfa Giulietta Cloverleaf. Turbo-charged and with direct injection, this new1750 Turbo Petrol unit sets new torque and specific power records for this size of engine, at over 200Nm- and 137 bhp-per-litre respectively. Its maximum power output is 240 bhp at 6,000 rpm while its maximum torque output is 350Nm (258 lb ft.), available between 2,100 and 4,000 rpm. To underline the flexible nature of this new engine, 80% of its torque is available from just 1800 rpm.
Accelerating from 0-62 mph takes just 4.5 seconds in the new Alfa Romeo 4C and top speed is 160 mph, but this supercar performance isn’t at the expense of the environment. Due to its light weight and advanced engine and transmission technologies, the emissions of the Alfa Romeo 4C fall well within the strict limits of Euro 6. Its official combined-cycle fuel economy figure is 41.5 mpg and its CO2 emissions are just 157g/km.
Being an Alfa Romeo, the driving experience is more than just raw statistics. The exhaust has been tuned to emit a full, rich sound and particular attention paid to the seat design so the movement and reactions of the car can be 'felt' properly. The unassisted steering is progressive, direct and engineered to convey as much feedback and feel as possible. The steering ratio (16:2) is such as to allow 90% of bends to be taken without having to take your hands off the steering wheel. Both brake and throttle response have also been tuned to match the dynamic nature of the Alfa Romeo 4C.
Inside the Alfa Romeo 4C, the exposed carbon-fibre chassis and driver-oriented controls leave you in no doubt as the purposeful nature of the car. In place of traditional dials, a multi-function TFT digital display occupies the instrument panel and the steering wheel is a bespoke, flat-bottomed, two-spoke item with integrated gear-shifter paddles. The remaining controls are grouped together on the tunnel console, including the button-operated ALFA TCT transmission selector and the Alfa D.N.A. system selector, which alters the operational parameters of the engine, transmission, ESC and Electronic Q2 differential depending on the driver’s requirements. Composite bucket seats and aluminium pedals complete the minimalistic, drive-focussed cabin.
The Alfa Romeo 4C offers high levels of customisation including six exterior body colours; three pastel (Black, White and Alfa Red), one metallic (Basalt Grey) and two three-layer metallics (Madreperla White and Competizione Red). There are four different coloured brake calipers available and well as four different upholstery options.
Whilst the all new Alfa Romeo 4C officially goes on sale in the UK in October, due to an exceptionally high demand and limited product availability, prospective buyers are invited to register their interest now for deliveries in late 2014. In total, worldwide production for the Alfa Romeo 4C is limited to just 3,500 units per year
ALFA ROMEO 4C DETAILS ANNOUNCED
 Alfa Romeo 4C marks a return to lightweight sports coupés for the brand
 Advanced materials and construction ensure lightness and rigidity
 Compact, agile and engineered for pure driving satisfaction
 Supercar performance with impressive economy and emissions
 Priced from £45,000 OTR
Designed, engineered and built as a pure driving machine, the all-new Alfa Romeo 4C is an uncompromised thoroughbred that marks the return to the world of lightweight sports coupés for the Alfa Romeo brand. Its natural beauty is defined by function; the need to wrap the engine and chassis in a compact, aerodynamically-efficient shape, making it a worthy descendent of one of the most beautiful coupés of all time: the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.
Designed and engineered by Alfa Romeo and built at the Maserati plant in Modena, the mid-engined Alfa Romeo 4C employs the latest technologies of Alfa Romeo's newest models: The new, all-aluminium 1750 Turbo Petrol engine; the latest-generation ALFA TCT dry twin clutch semi-automatic transmission and the Alfa D.N.A. driving mode selector - now with a new “Race” mode.
Carbon-fibre was chosen for the one-piece monocoque due its high levels of structural rigidity and exceptionally low weight – just 65kg – and is built using sophisticated Formula 1-derived technologies, evolved especially for Alfa Romeo. SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound), which is lighter than both steel and aluminium, is used for the bodywork while even the thickness of the glass has been slimmed down by 15% to help reduce the Alfa Romeo 4C’s overall weight.
Less than 4m in length and with a wheelbase of 2.38m, the Alfa Romeo 4C’s compact shape accentuates its remarkable agility: With a dry weight of 895kg and a 40:60 front-to-rear weight distribution, the Alfa Romeo 4C is capable of generating 1.1g of lateral acceleration and in excess of 1.2g of deceleration force.
To optimise handling, its double-wishbone front suspension is secured directly to the monocoque while the rear uses a performance-tuned MacPherson arrangement. The brakes, engineered with track use in mind, employ a patented aluminium/cast iron hybrid construction complete with ventilated, cross-drilled 305mm/292mm discs (F/R) clamped by Brembo® calipers. 17-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels are standard, while 18/19-inch wheels with Alfa Romeo’s signature five-hole design are optional.
Power comes courtesy of a new four-cylinder turbo engine which, thanks to its aluminium block, is 22kg lighter than the engine that powers the Alfa Giulietta Cloverleaf. Turbo-charged and with direct injection, this new1750 Turbo Petrol unit sets new torque and specific power records for this size of engine, at over 200Nm- and 137 bhp-per-litre respectively. Its maximum power output is 240 bhp at 6,000 rpm while its maximum torque output is 350Nm (258 lb ft.), available between 2,100 and 4,000 rpm. To underline the flexible nature of this new engine, 80% of its torque is available from just 1800 rpm.
Accelerating from 0-62 mph takes just 4.5 seconds in the new Alfa Romeo 4C and top speed is 160 mph, but this supercar performance isn’t at the expense of the environment. Due to its light weight and advanced engine and transmission technologies, the emissions of the Alfa Romeo 4C fall well within the strict limits of Euro 6. Its official combined-cycle fuel economy figure is 41.5 mpg and its CO2 emissions are just 157g/km.
Being an Alfa Romeo, the driving experience is more than just raw statistics. The exhaust has been tuned to emit a full, rich sound and particular attention paid to the seat design so the movement and reactions of the car can be 'felt' properly. The unassisted steering is progressive, direct and engineered to convey as much feedback and feel as possible. The steering ratio (16:2) is such as to allow 90% of bends to be taken without having to take your hands off the steering wheel. Both brake and throttle response have also been tuned to match the dynamic nature of the Alfa Romeo 4C.
Inside the Alfa Romeo 4C, the exposed carbon-fibre chassis and driver-oriented controls leave you in no doubt as the purposeful nature of the car. In place of traditional dials, a multi-function TFT digital display occupies the instrument panel and the steering wheel is a bespoke, flat-bottomed, two-spoke item with integrated gear-shifter paddles. The remaining controls are grouped together on the tunnel console, including the button-operated ALFA TCT transmission selector and the Alfa D.N.A. system selector, which alters the operational parameters of the engine, transmission, ESC and Electronic Q2 differential depending on the driver’s requirements. Composite bucket seats and aluminium pedals complete the minimalistic, drive-focussed cabin.
The Alfa Romeo 4C offers high levels of customisation including six exterior body colours; three pastel (Black, White and Alfa Red), one metallic (Basalt Grey) and two three-layer metallics (Madreperla White and Competizione Red). There are four different coloured brake calipers available and well as four different upholstery options.
Whilst the all new Alfa Romeo 4C officially goes on sale in the UK in October, due to an exceptionally high demand and limited product availability, prospective buyers are invited to register their interest now for deliveries in late 2014. In total, worldwide production for the Alfa Romeo 4C is limited to just 3,500 units per year
Fantuzzi said:
What a rubbish review. To end suggesting Alfa bring out a manual, V6 version is to completely miss the point of the car.Typical Top Gear tosh.
It's also cheaper than a Cayman so can be forgiven some of its foibles, especially as its a 'gen 1' car - Alfa will no doubt have left room for future tweaks to the gearbox, engine, sound etc.
Honestly, with an ever increasing war against fun yet fast cars, you'd think that the press would rejoice at the 4C, especially if the trickle down effect can be harnessed - who wouldn't want a Guilietta or Mito with some of the 4C's shared tech in a couple of years?!
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