Alfa Romeo 4C Test Drive

With the launch of the eagerly awaited Alfa Romeo 4C on the horizon, our Autoworld Alfa Romeo sales manager Dave Smith was honoured to be given the opportunity to have a hands on experience with the exciting new model at the Donnington Motor Park. On arrival he took a tour around two workshops where he learn’t about the design, from the initial concept, right up to the final implementation. They explained that their vision was to design a thing of beauty that was defined by function, aerodynamics and kept within the style of what Alfa Romeo is known for. He also took a tour into the inner workings, learning how the Alfa Romeo 4C employs the latest technologies such as the all 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 with the all new “Race” mode, just to name a few of the Alfa Romeo 4C advancements.

Technical specifications

Weight  Category: two seater coupé

Chassis: carbon fibre structure, front and rear aluminium crash boxes, hybrid rear structure (steel and aluminium)

Weight: less than 850 kg

Dimensions: length approximately 4 metres, wheelbase less than 2.4 metres

Drive: rear

Engine: 4 cylinder, 1750cc Turbopetrol

Gearbox: TCT (Twin Clutch Transmission), automatic transmission with twin dry clutch

Suspension: high double wishbone at the front; McPherson at the rear

Power: over 200 HP

Top speed: over 250 km/h

Acceleration 0-100 km  4.5sec

Weight to power ratio: less than 4 kg/HP

Weight distribution: 40% on front axle, 60% on rear axle

The Lap

First up was a two lap introduction to the old F1 circuit, Dave was driven around by Rob, a man who had a rich understanding of both sports and super cars, a man who had previously worked on the Mclaren P1. The first flying lap was in Rob’s words “tame” as what followed was taken up onto another level. Next up was Dave’s turn, Dave described the experience as “simply stunning, it really gave me the feeling that I was driving a race car, the sounds of the engine, the feel of the handling was perfect, this is a very emotive piece of machinery” and from that moment Dave knew that this car marked the start of a new generation of Alfa Romeo sports cars. The Alfa Romeo 4C's arrival is expected in April 2014 and for Dave and many others, that day can't come soon enough.

For more information on the Alfa Romeo 4C or any other Autoworld offers, take a look at our Autoworld website. Or call our sales team on 01246 386661