Now that the Alfa Romeo 4C has finally
arrived from the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside and rested it’s wheels
in our Autoworld Alfa Romeo showroom, lets take a closer look and take some
time to reflect on what a beautiful piece of machinery the 4C really is.
The bodywork has been crafted with that
extra touch of Italian finesse that Alfa Romeo is known for; with its voluptuous
curves and wide low stance it immediately grabs your attention and keeps hold
with a tight grip. The headlights are a touch of class that have been
sculptured out of carbon fibre. The design and look isn’t just for mere aesthetic
values, its been built for purpose. The engine and chassis has been wrapped within
the body to enhance the aero dynamic performance of the vehicle.
Alfa Romeo had one main objective when creating
the 4C, to produce a fast and stunning sports car that is low in weight. To
achieve this, Alfa Romeo have gone to great extents cut away the fat. The bodywork is made out of SMC (Sheet
Moulding Compound) which is lighter than both aluminium and steel, the glass
has been shaved down to save 15% of the overall weight and all of the outer
body work has been crafted onto a carbon fibre tub that is unashamedly on
display through out the interior. Weighing in at a very lean 895kg, Alfa Romeos
design choices have well and truly paid off.
All these statistics and advanced
technologies sound good but let’s not forget it’s down to the drive and believe
me, the 4C doesn’t disappoint. The turbocharged 1.75-litre four cylinder engine
packs one hell of a punch, with the aid of the launch control the Alfa Romeo 4C
will catapult from 0-62 mph in an astonishing 4.5 seconds with a top speed of
160 mph, that’s lightning fast. The handling feels superb even with the lack of
powered steering.
A Second opinion is always important, so
who better to ask about the drive and performance of the Alfa Romeo 4C than
none other than our Alfa Romeo Sales Manager, Dave Smith. Dave said “it’s
simple, as soon as my foot hit that accelerator, it’s like a kick to the chest
as it accelerates to 100kmph in 4.5 seconds, the brakes feel controlled and
responsive and will slow you back down to a stand still in less than 36 metres,
the low driving position and raw feel of the steering makes you feel in control
and the noise of the exhaust roars behind you. In other words, pure full
blooded Alfa Romeo, enough said”
So is the Alfa Romeo 4C for you? If you are
looking for a practicality in a car, with easy access and plenty of boot space
for those trips to the golf course then I’m afraid this is where the Alfa Romeo
4C falls short; there is also a lack of rear visibility in the drivers seat.
The Alfa Romeo 4C is there for the driving enthusiast, built for the rolling
roads of the countryside, not for the short trips to the local shop. You may
think that around £45,000 is quite expensive for a sports car but when you
think of it as nearly a super car, it’s incredibly affordable.
 |
| With its voluptuous curves and wide low stance it immediately grabs your attention. |
 |
| The bodywork has been crafted with that extra touch of Italian finesse. |
 |
| Alfa Romeo 4C will catapult from 0-62 mph in an astonishing 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 160 mph |
 |
| The handling feels superb even with the lack of powered steering. |
 |
| The brakes feel controlled and responsive and will slow you back down to a stand still in less than 36 metres. |
 |
| The steering makes you feel in control. |
 |
| The carbon fibre tub that is unashamedly on display through out the interior. |
 |
| Weighing in at a very lean 895kg all the design choices Alfa Romeo made, have paid off. |
 |
| The Alfa Romeos 4C's mid engine, rear wheel drive packs one hell of a punch. |
 |
| The turbocharged 1.75-litre four cylinder engine in all its glory. |
Interested in this award winning,
stunningly beautiful and not to mention fast piece of engineering? Then visit
our Autoworld Alfa Romeo website www.autoworld.co.uk. Or call us
on 01246 386661
