Anyone have any 'inside' info on the Alfa 4C?
Discussion
jamieboy said:
Well, I think we'd first need to agree on a very specific - and perhaps quite unusual - definition of the word "failure".
Yes. I did not select the correct word there. Maybe it just is that when car looks that good, you kind of put easily too high hopes for rest of the car.The 8C was a failure from what Alfa first intended
The 4C is shaping upto be a similar tale of incompetence I will have to try *very* hard this weekend not to strangle the Chef de Mission when I ask him extremely politely what exactly is going on.
Its almost impossible to bugger the job up quite so consistently as Alfa manage.
The 4C is shaping upto be a similar tale of incompetence I will have to try *very* hard this weekend not to strangle the Chef de Mission when I ask him extremely politely what exactly is going on.
Its almost impossible to bugger the job up quite so consistently as Alfa manage.
Intention was surely to massively raise the profile of the brand. In doing that, they produced a car that all car enthusiasts (and a lot of real people, too) were talking about, and will still be talking about in 20 years - long after a couple of tenths of a second or an impractically small boot will be forgotten.
jamieboy said:
Intention was surely to massively raise the profile of the brand. In doing that, they produced a car that all car enthusiasts (and a lot of real people, too) were talking about, and will still be talking about in 20 years - long after a couple of tenths of a second or an impractically small boot will be forgotten.
Try and be one of the original buyers. It was not a happy story. The wider car buying market are bloody irrelent when its your dosh on the line, the delivery date is going to the right, the asking price is going up and promises are being broken. Trust me, as a punter, with my dosh and time on the line...it was an incompetent cock up. The 4C is heading the same way.DJRC said:
Try and be one of the original buyers. It was not a happy story. The wider car buying market are bloody irrelent when its your dosh on the line, the delivery date is going to the right, the asking price is going up and promises are being broken. Trust me, as a punter, with my dosh and time on the line...it was an incompetent cock up. The 4C is heading the same way.
Surely there was no "dosh on the line" until the deposit, once you'd finalised your spec and signed the order form? Getting allocated a build slot and talking to them was free. They tightened the process up a bit for the 8C Spider anyway - as much as you think they wasted your time, I think they had their fair share of timewasters / dreamers too.In any case, I'm not sure that a protracted and slighly arbitrary buying process makes the car itself a failure.
Ultimately there were enough actual buyers to sell every car they made, and I suspect they could likely have sold them twice over. I could do with a few failures like that in my business.
The 4c is being developed by a small team which sits outside of the normal product development process.
To say that they are not releasing much information is an understatement.
Like our customers, we are keen to know definitive specs and prices, and I'm aching to drive one, given what little we know.
The car will come when it is ready,unlike days of old where certain manufacturers used their first years' customers as guinea pigs.
It seems likely that we will see a cooking version and a hot version.
The TCT transmission will need to be modified into a form which suits a mid engined configuration.
Alfa Romeo has always maintained that it doesn't want deposits until the production car becomes a reality.
They have been collecting the names of interested parties via the Alfa Romeo retail marketing service.
These names are submitted by dealers and held on the KMI list which stands for keep me informed.
For the record, the brochure description is as follows:
Agile and responsive - without compromising power
If the 4c goes from a show car concept to a production reality in less than two years, I suspect we ought to be impressed. Being in from the start, and being impatient to get behind the wheel,it will just feel like the whole thing has dragged intolerably.
In conclusion, talk to a dealer and get yourself onto the KMI list.
Expect that allocations will be small, and consequently, waiting times might be long.
And finally, please, have a look at the turnaround in status which Alfa Romeo is enjoying, and give some credit the the SMALL team at Slough who are working long and hard to bring this about.
(Oh, and don't give anyone a deposit !)
To say that they are not releasing much information is an understatement.
Like our customers, we are keen to know definitive specs and prices, and I'm aching to drive one, given what little we know.
The car will come when it is ready,unlike days of old where certain manufacturers used their first years' customers as guinea pigs.
It seems likely that we will see a cooking version and a hot version.
The TCT transmission will need to be modified into a form which suits a mid engined configuration.
Alfa Romeo has always maintained that it doesn't want deposits until the production car becomes a reality.
They have been collecting the names of interested parties via the Alfa Romeo retail marketing service.
These names are submitted by dealers and held on the KMI list which stands for keep me informed.
For the record, the brochure description is as follows:
Agile and responsive - without compromising power
- Compact dimensions (two seater, approximately 4 metres in length)
- Chassis with carbon fibre tub and extensive use of aluminium components
- Power to weight ratio lower than 4kg per BHP
- Maximum speed exceeding 155mph
- Acceleration 0-62 mph in under 5 seconds
- Alfa D.N.A. selector switch for dynamic control of the vehicle
- 1750 Turbopetrol engine delivering more than 200 BHP
- ALFA TCT gearbox with dry dual clutch transmission
If the 4c goes from a show car concept to a production reality in less than two years, I suspect we ought to be impressed. Being in from the start, and being impatient to get behind the wheel,it will just feel like the whole thing has dragged intolerably.
In conclusion, talk to a dealer and get yourself onto the KMI list.
Expect that allocations will be small, and consequently, waiting times might be long.
And finally, please, have a look at the turnaround in status which Alfa Romeo is enjoying, and give some credit the the SMALL team at Slough who are working long and hard to bring this about.
(Oh, and don't give anyone a deposit !)
I have news, but Im fked if I know wtf is going on.
The 4C IS confirmed as platform development. It is however, the *only* platform currently confirmed for development.
NO, and I repeat, NO, other information is confirmed about the 4C. That is accurate from Sergio's statement to staff at Geneva from this week.
To say broadsides were delivered to staff today would be an understatement. And that isnt your idea of broadsides, that is mine. The full monty version. From that you can use your imagination to guess at the language and sentiments expressed today.
Some extrapolated information taken in from the Chef and team:
1. Sergio has given up on Europe in the current climate
2. America is now the hope, strong sales there
3. 4C to be launched in USA 1st
4. Late 2013
5. Europe late 2013
6. UK early 2014
Thats all I have folks. Alfa did not even bother to put a 4C on their stand. The most damning comments? From each of their competition for my money in tha arena of they couldnt believe the 4C wasnt there and they all counted their blessings. Unbelievable.
The 4C IS confirmed as platform development. It is however, the *only* platform currently confirmed for development.
NO, and I repeat, NO, other information is confirmed about the 4C. That is accurate from Sergio's statement to staff at Geneva from this week.
To say broadsides were delivered to staff today would be an understatement. And that isnt your idea of broadsides, that is mine. The full monty version. From that you can use your imagination to guess at the language and sentiments expressed today.
Some extrapolated information taken in from the Chef and team:
1. Sergio has given up on Europe in the current climate
2. America is now the hope, strong sales there
3. 4C to be launched in USA 1st
4. Late 2013
5. Europe late 2013
6. UK early 2014
Thats all I have folks. Alfa did not even bother to put a 4C on their stand. The most damning comments? From each of their competition for my money in tha arena of they couldnt believe the 4C wasnt there and they all counted their blessings. Unbelievable.
Raitzi said:
4C in production according to Italians:
http://www.autoedizione.com/alfa-romeo-4c-road-ver...
Hmmmm.... http://www.autoedizione.com/alfa-romeo-4c-road-ver...
L'Alfa Romeo 4C andrà in produzione tra circa un anno negli impianti modenesi della Maserati, dove si sta lavorando per accogliere la catena di montaggio della due posti del Biscione, sulla scia di quanto avvenuto con la precedente 8C. E così, nel prossimo futuro la Maserati si concentrerà su tre nuove vetture, in altrettanti segmenti di mercato, che vedranno la luce nei prossimi due anni, con l'obiettivo di arrivare nel 2015 a 50mila unità prodotte.
I modelli. Il progetto industriale richiederà, tuttavia, nuove strutture, visto che con gli impianti attualmente disponibili a Modena non sarà possibile svolgere le attività in programma. La nuova sportiva dell'Alfa Romeo si affiancherà alle linee di montaggio della Gran Turismo e della Gran Cabrio, mentre la Quattroporte – i cui test del prossimo modello continuano senza sosta – sarà prodotta a Grugliasco negli ex stabilimenti della Bertone.
La produzione. Con la nuova organizzazione, affermano i sindacati, non solo si manterranno i livelli produttivi attuali di circa seimila vetture l'anno, ma non ci saranno cadute occupazionali.
I modelli. Il progetto industriale richiederà, tuttavia, nuove strutture, visto che con gli impianti attualmente disponibili a Modena non sarà possibile svolgere le attività in programma. La nuova sportiva dell'Alfa Romeo si affiancherà alle linee di montaggio della Gran Turismo e della Gran Cabrio, mentre la Quattroporte – i cui test del prossimo modello continuano senza sosta – sarà prodotta a Grugliasco negli ex stabilimenti della Bertone.
La produzione. Con la nuova organizzazione, affermano i sindacati, non solo si manterranno i livelli produttivi attuali di circa seimila vetture l'anno, ma non ci saranno cadute occupazionali.
Le Man said:
L'Alfa Romeo 4C andrà in produzione tra circa un anno negli impianti modenesi della Maserati, dove si sta lavorando per accogliere la catena di montaggio della due posti del Biscione, sulla scia di quanto avvenuto con la precedente 8C. E così, nel prossimo futuro la Maserati si concentrerà su tre nuove vetture, in altrettanti segmenti di mercato, che vedranno la luce nei prossimi due anni, con l'obiettivo di arrivare nel 2015 a 50mila unità prodotte.
I modelli. Il progetto industriale richiederà, tuttavia, nuove strutture, visto che con gli impianti attualmente disponibili a Modena non sarà possibile svolgere le attività in programma. La nuova sportiva dell'Alfa Romeo si affiancherà alle linee di montaggio della Gran Turismo e della Gran Cabrio, mentre la Quattroporte – i cui test del prossimo modello continuano senza sosta – sarà prodotta a Grugliasco negli ex stabilimenti della Bertone.
La produzione. Con la nuova organizzazione, affermano i sindacati, non solo si manterranno i livelli produttivi attuali di circa seimila vetture l'anno, ma non ci saranno cadute occupazionali.
Roughly translatedI modelli. Il progetto industriale richiederà, tuttavia, nuove strutture, visto che con gli impianti attualmente disponibili a Modena non sarà possibile svolgere le attività in programma. La nuova sportiva dell'Alfa Romeo si affiancherà alle linee di montaggio della Gran Turismo e della Gran Cabrio, mentre la Quattroporte – i cui test del prossimo modello continuano senza sosta – sarà prodotta a Grugliasco negli ex stabilimenti della Bertone.
La produzione. Con la nuova organizzazione, affermano i sindacati, non solo si manterranno i livelli produttivi attuali di circa seimila vetture l'anno, ma non ci saranno cadute occupazionali.
The Alfa Romeo 4C will go into production in about a year in the Maserati plant in Modena, which is working to accommodate the assembly of the two seats of the Alfa Romeo, in the wake of what happened with the previous 8C. And so, in the near future will focus on three new Maserati cars, in many market segments, which will be released in the next two years, with a target of 50 thousand units produced in 2015.
Models. The industrial project will require, however, new structures, as with the systems currently available in Modena will not be possible to carry out program activities. The new sporty Alfa Romeo will be joined to the assembly lines of Gran Turismo and Gran Cabrio, while the Quattroporte - whose testing is continuing for the next model - will be produced in the former premises of Grugliasco Bertone.
Production. With the new organization, say the unions, not only will maintain current production levels of about six thousand cars a year, but there will be employment falls.
k-ink said:
After reading this I'd say forget the 4C and just buy an Exige!
(I love Alfa - owned loads, plus I used to own a Lotus 111R).
Already ahead of you. I went to Geneva as a guest of Lotus explicitly with the Exige in mind.(I love Alfa - owned loads, plus I used to own a Lotus 111R).
Then Lotus decided to go one better than Alfa and not just bugger about with a model, but bugger about with the whole company.
Ive given up and bought an SLK for a grand instead.
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