Finally! Someone Got It Right...

I have been *****ing for some time that Ferrari should be doing this. Well...at least someone in the "Fiat family" understands what a true sports car should be:

2014 Alfa Romeo 4C Photos and Info ? News ? Car and Driver

 

Imagine, if you will, a X1/9 sized car with a proper 240 HP, and without the stigma of low cost.....

Lets just hope they keep it under 1900 pounds.....

 

Looks tasty,makes you wonder how much business Alfa lost to the Audi TT,don't it.
Pity about the auto only though,seems an odd move,perhaps detrimental,their competitors,I'm sure,will take note.

 

A 4 cyl 1.7 litre engined car at a sub $100K? Really? That's very definitely Alfa territory. Not even Maserati territory. What precisely is it you think Ferrari should be doing?

 

It would be wonderful to see Ferrari make a $150,000 V6 that weighed in at 1000kg. Something in the 246 lineage. Dare to dream.

 

It looks good.
They will probably squeeze every nickle of 75K for it is my guess.

 

Yes, they build big fat heavy cars with lots of power.

 

Wow are you late to the party. I've been saying this for months.

I'm working to get one. It's difficult because Alfa in the US is basically as screwed up as the government of Albania.

The 4C is being made in the Maserati factory, which is pretty cool.

 

No way under 1900. I think in US trim under 2100 would be reasonable. They are saying under 2000 "officially".

The new gearbox is a DCT but it's a dry clutch rather than wet clutch to save weight and for a more direct feel. To me, this should be the wave of the future of sports cars:

Small, light, nimble, and you won't break every speed limit in existence in only 1st gear. If it really comes in at 70 grand, it has potential. Only 500 are being sent to the US next year through selected Fiat/ Alfa dealers (not all Fiat dealers will sell them).

I rather like the manual hand brake. Apparently, it's lighter than the auto types now in use. To me, the simpler, the better. And, the leather straps to close the door are a nice touch too.

 

See some of the posts below. Ferrari could EASILY build a "higher end" car than the Alfa 4C but have very similar (and sports car correct) design parameters --- light, nimble, NO POWER STEERING, etc. But, instead, they build relatively fat pig cars with ridiculous power that you can't get out of second gear in unless you're on a track.

 

I think a twin turbo V-6 getting 400 HP in a car weighing about 2200Lbs at about 150-180K would be an excellent car for Ferrari (or Dino) to make.

The only reason they don't is they don't need to. To me, it's more of a 911 fighter, like the original Dino was intended.

I suspect that the new Mac P12 will be very much in this camp -- which may be another reason why Ferrari won't do it.

 

This project spent 4 years in a drawer...
Lotus derived, it was developed for Abarth and then stopped for nothing.
The engine comes from the Spider/Brera platform, the best of the 3, but adopted too late to solve the crisis of the 2 models. Fiat made too many mistakes (remember the 2003 Maserati Kubang ?) it 'll be very hard to get out.

 

Agreed, Fiat has it's plan and now that there is no competition between the Italian companies their biggest challenge is finding a spot in the parent companies overall offering.

 

I already have something like that but it's not a mid engine car. Still, it's relatively light and fun but not quite that light, 3000 with me and all the fluids on board. Full rollcage.

Also built at the Maserati factory ... .

Why does this one have to almost $70K other than big profit? Carbon fiber?

I might have trouble fitting in this one though. I don't fit in a Lancia Scorpion damn it.
That's a way better looking car than this one.

I can't say it looks all that great though. A bit of a busy bee.

There must be some corporate dictate to display their new cars in silver and black. I saw the new QP last weekend at the Greenwich Concours and it was Silver with black. Good grief, they have such a nice pallet to work with why not display it? The car looked invisible at that show.

This little Alfa looks much better in red. I bet red, blue and green metallics will be good too.

Yellow? Bring a fly swatter ...

 

It's beautiful. However, if they are targeting the Boxster, the price shouldn't be more than $55K - MAX. That's Elise range too, which this car reminds me of.

No manual? LAME!

 

No manual? YEAH! It's not a throw back to the 80's. It's a push forward to the future. Dinosaurs need not apply. There's no tape cassette deck either.

They are not targeting anyone. It's a show piece that they will make a very few of to help launch the Alfa brand. They have no intention of competing against the Boxster. I am sure they are losing money on every 4C they sell.

What they are doing is sending to the US a technical marvel that shows the future of sports cars so that a lucky 500 owners in the US will be able to appreciate them.

And I hope to be one of them.

 

What's wrong with cassettes and dinosaurs?????

 

Sign me up right freaking NOW!

 

Nothing!
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I think I heard that one before ... it was called the 8C.

 

Saw it in person last Saturday. Very handsome Alfa but not sure about the bug-like headlights. They parked an 8C next to it. I'd personally take the 8C.
Wait, never mind that. I'd take the 6C 2300B MM that was parked outside!
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Didnt you laud the handbrake for its simplicity and lightness. Are those not the attribute of manual. Dont you like this car because its supposed to be fun at semi legal speeds. Does pdk not make driving on the road that much more boring?

 

Apparently there is a maserati version of the 4c called the 6c in the works. Twin turbo V6 from the ghibli in 4c tub with a bit more luxury.

 

Dunno...I think I'd take the Elise / Exige...then I could shift gears while rocking out to Abba on my 8-track cassette player!!!!
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That 1000 pounds is huge in the way the car handles, but you know that The headlights are very bug-ish

I agree Lancia Scorpion IS a good looking machine.

These new rims are looking a wagon wheel-ish too. I saw a New SUV this past week with those huge thin rims, it had a reduced amount of spokes and looked just like a chuck wagon