Tuesday 13th January 2015

Alfa 4C Spider - Detroit 2015

Just 10kg more than the coupe, on sale in the summer and very, very yellow

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It's disheartening to read a few less than glowing UK reviews of the Alfa 4C. There was all that excitement, all that positivity on the international launch and then a car that didn't quite work on UK roads. But it's selling on the looks and there's still hope the set-up can be sorted.

Same 240hp 1.75 turbo as the coupe

Imagine if this Spider does drive as well as it looks. Heck, imagine if it drives half as well as it looks. It would be damn good. Of course the advantage the 4C has in going from coupe to Spider is the carbon tub meaning structural stiffness isn't compromised. Indeed Alfa states engineers 'were able to minimise structural differences' between the two models. Note the carbon windscreen frame (bolted to the monocoque) for example. What you can't see are an aluminium rollover bar (under the black 'halo'), 'unique upper body brackets' and a strengthening beam across the engine bay. Shame that the clear engine cover has gone but we certainly won't be complaining about a paltry 10kg weight gain (in US spec) for the Spider.

The roof? Ah yes, about that. Alfa's press release isn't exactly filled with reams of info about the weather protection. We're told there's a 'removable, stowable cloth roof' with attachment points on the windscreen frame. A carbon hardtop is available too but it doesn't exactly sound like a TT or Boxster model of simplicity. Like the coupe it seems the Elise comparison is more fitting.

The roof? Why would you want to see the roof?

The Spider is mechanically near identical to the coupe. The only difference in fact is a new titanium Akrapovic exhaust with switchable modes and a resonator to "eliminate in-cabin droning." For those who want some drone there is a Racing exhaust available. The 240hp, 258lb ft 1.75-litre turbo and six-speed DCT remain.

That's all well and good, but a section of the press release does cause a little concern. The full European tech spec is to follow but American 4C Spiders are "designed with stiffer springs, larger front-and rear-anti-roll, and re-tuned shock absorbers." From those UK reviews it seems the last thing the 4C needed was more stiffness but let's reserve judgement until a drive. Hopefully in the sunshine.

Speaking of which, the Giallo paint seen here is a new addition to the paint palette and comes with accent stitching inside. Tobacco leather will be offered later this year FYI. Alfa says the cars will arrive in the UK this summer with full tech details and pricing to follow. With the coupe at £45,000 shall we say a nice round £50K?

[andyps]

Looks like they have put the nicer lights in it - will they also be used in the closed version?

[thatguy11]

HNNNNNGGG. That is gorgeous

[Ruskins]

Love it!

[GTEYE]

All very nice, but what we really need is something to put Alfa properly back on the map.

I can't believe that this will actually generate much in the way of profits to keep the brand going.

Lets hope the new Giulia is that car, because I really fear for Alfa's future if it doesn't.

Perhaps Fiat should have flogged Alfa to VW when they had the chance.....

[j_s14a]

Perhaps they should have seized the opportunity to give the car a MUCH needed manual gearbox?

[stephen300o]

Something to put Alfa back on the map? Like something rear wheel driven, mid engined, carbon monocoqued and drop dead gorgeous maybe.

[otolith]

stephen300o said:

Something to put Alfa back on the map? Like something rear wheel driven, mid engined, carbon monocoqued and drop dead gorgeous maybe.

^^ quite.

[otolith]

The comments on stiffness - from this month's CAR, where they have just given the "racing" version another kicking in a group test;

[365daytonafan]

andyps said:

Looks like they have put the nicer lights in it - will they also be used in the closed version?

US versions of the 4C always had those headlights. Hopefully they will be on the UK cars going forward though.

[greggy50]

otolith said:

stephen300o said:

Something to put Alfa back on the map? Like something rear wheel driven, mid engined, carbon monocoqued and drop dead gorgeous maybe.

^^ quite.

They will be off the map completely soon though if they don't make a decent main-stream car. The Mi-To and Guiletta both lag a long way behind rivals now

[AndrewSV]

amazing! <3 I just wish I had the money for it!

[SteveSteveson]

otolith said:

The comments on stiffness - from this month's CAR, where they have just given the "racing" version another kicking in a group test;

So, its another example of a car company throwing everything at a car for a press and screwing it up in the UK? Like Ford did with the original RS Focus, giving it all the toys and maximizing boost, thinking that they would get panned otherwise, but ended up with a car that would not go in a strait line.

I want a 4C so badly. Knowing that it is a good car if you buy it without stupid wheels and the like makes it even better.

[errek72]

SteveSteveson said:

otolith said:

The comments on stiffness - from this month's CAR, where they have just given the "racing" version another kicking in a group test;

So, its another example of a car company throwing everything at a car for a press and screwing it up in the UK? Like Ford did with the original RS Focus, giving it all the toys and maximizing boost, thinking that they would get panned otherwise, but ended up with a car that would not go in a strait line.

I want a 4C so badly. Knowing that it is a good car if you buy it without stupid wheels and the like makes it even better.

There is another mag that says the exact opposite.
So, its another example of brit press raising controversy on an Italian car. Nothing new there.
Move along now, this is not for brits, you have Lotus(, which is so good each car gets a new suspension setup by their owners)

[Malachimon]

Now THIS is what proper alfa should be. It puts me in mind of my smart Roadstrr somewhat

[greggy50]

errek72 said:

There is another mag that says the exact opposite.
So, its another example of brit press raising controversy on an Italian car. Nothing new there.
Move along now, this is not for brits, you have Lotus(, which is so good each car gets a new suspension setup by their owners)

Looking at your garage and previous history I would suggest you may be a tad bias...

Like look of the 4C but from reading and watching reviews and fact engine is only a 4 pot with a silly gearbox means I would always take a V6 Exige myself at similar money seems like a lot more car for the money even if it goes without a fancy carbon tub.

[Uncle John]

So much want for a beautiful car although never keen on giallo myself. Would have to be classic Alfa Red for me.

And for everyone that knocks the 4C I just don't understand it, it's a car from a mainstream manufacturer that goes against all the trends for crass, bling SUV/lifestyle insert "Fashion" of choice genre here and appeals to the driver in all of us, or at least it should.

Alfa's always have something about them, they may not be perfect but the cars get under your skin, and the 4C for me is a triumph.

[kambites]

I just don't get the fawning over the styling - to me it just looks bloated and ugly. Coupled with the fact that by most accounts it doesn't actually drive very well and I don't really see what all the fuss is about.

[errek72]

greggy50 said:

errek72 said:

There is another mag that says the exact opposite.
So, its another example of brit press raising controversy on an Italian car. Nothing new there.
Move along now, this is not for brits, you have Lotus(, which is so good each car gets a new suspension setup by their owners)

Looking at your garage and previous history I would suggest you may be a tad bias...

Like look of the 4C but from reading and watching reviews and fact engine is only a 4 pot with a silly gearbox means I would always take a V6 Exige myself at similar money seems like a lot more car for the money even if it goes without a fancy carbon tub.

Looking at my garage I would suggest I know what I am on about when talking about the 4C.
I heard that reasoning before though, but never see this when a 911 driver talks about Porsche. Odd.

Exise S was 20 000k dearer in my market. If your margin for buying a car is 20k is would suggest a GTR really.

[errek72]

Uncle John said:

And for everyone that knocks the 4C I just don't understand it, it's a car from a mainstream manufacturer that goes against all the trends for crass, bling SUV/lifestyle insert "Fashion" of choice genre here and appeals to the driver in all of us, or at least it should.

That is exactly why it gets knocked. Everyone wants Alfa to produce a decent sporty car, and when they do everyone starts about Caymans being more comfy and in the end they all step into their grey Golfs and drive home from work. That is the way the herd works.

[Claudia Skies]

Oh dear.

Is this yet another example of,

• Maximum froth and excitement on the internet keyboards of supposed sportscar fans
• Nobody buys the car (they actually aspire to a diesel SUV...)
• Manufacturer tries to soften the car and make it into a convertible
• Internet keyboard experts mutter
• Nobody buys the car (they actually aspire to a diesel SUV...)