Alfa 4C - "Without The Heart We Would Be Mere Machines"

Not happening.

Non KERS Maserati La Ferrari not happening either.

 

Shameless plug?

 

Nope. As we are using Alfa 4C tubs and TTV6 Maser engines neither of us want there to be any confusion about this.

 

I'm not saying it is or isn't. But, there's no question Maserati has been floating this rumor for years. I can't see sports cars as Maserati's direction. They are hell bent on taking on BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus at a higher premium prices. Low production sports cars just don't fit in that model.

 

A Jimalfati?

Are you using Alfa's dry clutch gearbox or you can't say?

 

I can say and am not. We're looking at several gearboxes but will likely use Hewland in both our road and race car. Straight cut in the race car with clutch pedal and paddles and helicordail in the road car with a clutch pedal, sequential shifter or maybe paddles or maybe even H pattern shifter.

 

This^

 

Hewland.... I like!


Hey there's a Fiat Dino spider at Gull wing that's for a restoration. You seen it? The pics don't show much. It has a hard top.

 

What is the timeline for the project - can you give some hints?

 

We've begun. We hope to present our new Road and Race car at Geneva in 2015 and race the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in 2015.

 

Great!

Is Maserati Corse, or any other unit at Maserati, involved whatsoever? Surely, there is some scope for bilateral knowledge transfer on a project like that?

 

So, are you going to make these or just do a one off?

 

So far our plan is to make them as one off's. (One Road one Race Version).

 

Maybe Alfa will pick up on your concept cars finer points, sort of like Ferrari did with the P4/5. Great idea that I look forward to seeing. Now if they can just get the VEBA deal done soon.

 

r

Well, it's nice to see someone with vision. Sounds like a really fun project. You should start your own separate thread on this. I'm sure many here would love to follow what you're up to.

 

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/special-projects-concept-cars/401864-scg-003-scg-003c-formerly-known-p-33-a.html

 

Latest review from BBC on the Alfa 4C.'
BBC - Autos - Alfa Romeo 4C: Love, Italian style

 

First deliveries yesterday at Balocco....lucky guys!

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQg_osFVAF4&feature=youtube_gdata]First Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition cars delivered at Balocco - YouTube[/ame]
The First European Alfa Romeo 4C 'Launch Edition' Units Are Delivered At Balocco | Techreleased

 

Looks like they are all launch editions. It's fantastic to see actual production cars going to real customers.

We in the US however are probably close to a year away.

I'm going to stop by my local Fiat dealer next week Friday. Hopefully, they have an update on what's going on. BTW: No Alfa's for the LA Auto show (booooo!). LA will be one of their biggest markets so it's really their loss.

 

Yes Mayor it's the first 5 deliveries of the LE. This will go on for the next 4 months or so I think.
As for the US and the general approach of Alfa I am really disappointed. We often complain in here about how Ferrari and its dealers treat the customers...but this is a totally different level! You sign the contract, pay 30% deposit and hear NOTHING at all for 6 months or more! If you contact the dealer or even Alfa H/O (I went straight to the head of Alfa UK and Alfa EMEA) they reply that they don't know anything yet....
They even had the courage to tell me 3 days ago that production of the LHD cars had NOT started yet!
I would love for Alfa to be successful but I doubt that will happen if this is their future approach to customer service especially in the US.

What a pity that they are managing to fu*k up the experience of buying what seems to be an AMAZING car.

Rant finished

 

Alfa's official US spokesperson

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNUBMgaLP70]Now that's Italian - YouTube[/ame]

 

I imagine the lack of any forward progress is due to the hang up with VEBA. As much as I want this to quickly happen I want it to be down in the best way possible, and that means no rushed projects. Time is running out but I agree with the decision to do it right the first time

 

More speculation re. who exactly will be selling the 4C:

Alfa Romeo 4C Could Be Sold at Fiat Dealers, Says Marchionne - Motor Trend WOT

Marchionne's comment "the best performing Fiat dealers will be the ones that will be entitled to have a crack at Alfa Romeo distribution" runs counter to Wester's earlier comments about the 4C being sold through Maserati dealers, although I wonder whether Marchionne is referring specifically to the 4C, or Alfa in general.

 

Just found out that the cars were actually not delivered! Usual crap marketing from Alfa lately....
They basically "presented" their cars to these 5 customers, went on track with them in press cars and then told them now you can go home and we will advise you in the next few weeks when your cars will be available to be delivered!

Amazing how they are managing to fu*k this up so badly. There are more than 200 LE customers that are seriously angry at Alfa after having paid a deposit of the equivalent of USD20,000 and not hearing anything for 6 months apart from a contract and a model car!