Alfa Romeo 4C Spider Italia heads to US
Just 15 examples of Modena's convertible are being made as production nears an end
It feels odd describing the Alfa Romeo 4C as a bit long in the tooth because it looks as youthful today as it did back in 2013. But the sports car is closing in on the final leg of production with no direct successor due, so forgive us if we begin to reappreciate its stunning form via a pair of rose tinted spectacles. Before we get all teary-eyed, however, Alfa's not given up on the pretty two-seater just yet, as shown by a new model, of which only 15 examples are due to be made.
The 4C Spider Italia - which we suspect is named as such to link the model with the supercars from Alfa's more sporting cousin from down the road - is a US-only model with some extra bits as standard to set it apart from the regular cabriolet. The Italia is finished in Misano Blue Metallic, a shade that's exclusive to the variant, and gets a piano black front air intake and rear diffuser. There are also Italia decals on the rear quarters.
.jpg)
Inside, there's an aluminium dash insert with the 4C Spider Italia logo and a numbered plate on the centre console, to remind your passenger that only 14 other cars are finished in this specification. And, well, that's all, because the rest of the car is standard 4C Spider, meaning Alfa's 1.7-litre turbo four lives just behind your head and produces 240hp with 258lb ft of torque. 62mph comes in 4.5 seconds and top speed is still 161mph.
That six years after the Alfa 4C was first launched it remains an exotic-looking package, both in terms of design and hardware, speaks volumes for the original effort. Although despite its compact dimensions and carbon tub-enabled lightness, it never managed to invigorate driving enthusiasts like, say, the Alpine A110. Sales for the 4C coupe weren't enough to ensure its survival beyond 2018, and the Spider's demise could be months, rather than years, away.
Alfa plans to indirectly replace the 4C with a coupe version of the Giulia, which could be a mighty fine thing indeed. The top version of that car will go toe-to-toe with the next BMW M4 armed, if we're to believe the rumours, with a V6 hybrid boosted by an energy recovery system. Quite the contrast to the comparably pared-back 4C, but as the Giulia Quadrifoglio saloon has shown, one that has much potential to thrust Alfa back into the enthusiast spotlight.
.jpg)
The rear with it's funny little overbite bootlid and droopy, wavy diffuser detail is a case in point - it just looks a mess.
I also think that they tried to incorporate influences, e.g. Scaglione's Tipo 33 Stradale, without really understanding what they were doing.
In addition, it's too wide, too blobby from the rear 3/4 and only available as an auto, although I'll admit that the last point is not so much of an issue these days as a lot of folk are happy with the car doing a lot of the driving for them + it saved development costs (see also Alpine etc.).
goodwoood crowd around my black one with the bright orange exige v6 with big wing getting no attention next to it .... bit embarrassing .... true pics dont do these things justice.
shame about the dodgy setup from new though...
I guess this car will appreciate.. for sure it's headline power isn't great, but I bet for the same reasons MX-5 have appeal, this will be an exotic version of that.
The people who can't afford a 458 spider, this will be access to carbon tub exotic fantasy world. Theres something a bit special about it it think
k that when i get a puncture i want a tyre asap not to be held hostage, travel hundreds of miles on a trailer to get raped by a greedy bh.What sank the spider was that some dumbass decided it was a good idea to leave the roof ontop of the windscreen, making it black didnt hide the fact the screen looked too high and too far back. Despite how good it looked in videos, in real life from side on, with the roof off, the opening is way too small and looks toy car like.
Shame as after getting out of a 650s this felt so much better to sit in and get in and out of. SO many people LOVED this car and like me didnt even bother to test drive it. And to think Abarth had their roadster canned for this, they had to rebody an MX5 which just looks like a kit car merc. Alfa just pissed this right up the wall imo.
Really?
I couldn't run it as a daily (have a Focus RS for that), however as a fun Sunday blast car it's lovely.
If you can afford one go for it,
- Pete
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff