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

OC

 

Saw the car today in flesh at the NY auto show and it's Gorgeuos! Bravo Alfa Bravo. It's small but still has presence. It's not cute, it's not futuristic, it's just right, which is very difficult to do in a car this size.
It reminds me of cars from the 50s, 60s and 70s that were small but still had presence, elegance and beauty. I know I am rambling but after almost a decade of wind tunnel and MBA/committe driven designs this is just a car lover's dream come true.

 

Probably in this 4C. Received the invite today as the car was being displayed at place not too far from me. Should be very interesting!! Alfa representative was driving it in for the display!
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Alfa CEO says 4C can manage more power - Autoblog

More to come with respect to power!

 

The test in the most recent Road and Track totally pans the car. They basically find nothing to like about it.

 

If they really found nothing to like, then they are ignorant.

Looks?

Carbon tub?

Relative low weight?

The fact that someone even tried to make this car?

Lame.

 

They didnt drive the one I did then. I never let any press organization influence my car decisions. They are not me and cannot in anyway approach the decision as a buyer would. The review mentality is one of a commercial intent. Hardly an ownership feel at all.

 

R&T did not like the steering at all, said it was all over the road. Also did not think the engine was anything special, they did love the styling though. Was disappointed that they would decide to do a full compare straight out of the box. Usually the mags will do a full report on a new vehicle, why they chose to do an Alfa vs Lotus vs Porsche 1st time out is just stupid imo, that could have always come out later. At the end of the day the R&T review holds zero sway with me anyway.

 

Maybe an alignment issue?

 

Others have complained about steering in the past too. Evo i think. That would be a deal breaker for me. My lotus is all about the steering. Alfa has to get that right

 

I think cool as the car is, there have been enough reports about the steering and motor that its an issue. Maybe not a deal breaker but an issue. Its also something that will most likely be improved in time, the motor certainly will. the steering, Chris Harris raises the point thta for alll the brilliance of the CF tub it has strut suspension.

 

just read the r&t article and think its going to be right on the money. alfa is gorgeous looking and will make its driver feel special. unfortunately, it has a second rate engine and transmission which negates the positives. the tie breaker is the handling which was not so good on the street with the euro track pack. (wish they tested them on the track so we can see how lap times compared). we will have to wait for the usa versions to know how it will drive. if its handling is improved and really sells in the $50k range, then its a no brainer for someone who wants a new exotic second car. the porsche is for someone who needs a daily driver sports car. as for the lotus, i am very happy owner of an orange elise who wishes they still brought them here

 

I saw a video review that said the same thing re the sport suspension, reviewer thought the regular suspension would be best, but can't remember who said it. Alfa will develop the car and I'm sure moree versions will be coming.

 

I believe you may be referring to the Top Gear comparison between the 4C (S?), Caymen S and the Exige S pointing out the issues with the sports suspension. Perhaps they couldn't resist spec'ing the sports suspension since the other 2 cars were their respective "S" versions.

I think Hammond got it right. The car's too light for the current sports suspension and it needs to be more compliant or risk being tiresome and too bouncy for its own good on public roads. The tires also need to stay in contact with the road to inspire confidence.

 

Very true


Sent from my 16M

 

I recently test drove one here in South Germany on a sunny warm day in all road types. City, country and Autobahn. The tires remained in contact on public roads. I do not understand where the so called experts are coming from at all. The visceral feel and fun of this car was very refreshing.

Best to drive it yourself before passing any judgements.

 

Just don't order the silly low profile tyres and over sized rims.

I really don't understand why people go for big rims and super small profiles. This direction started to make stodgy useless saloon cars feel more responsive with their steering ... why this has moved to sportscars makes not sense to me??
Pete

 

How long was your drive? I have also driven a sports car on Bavarian city, country and Autobahn roads as well as in central, eastern and northern Germany. You have excellent roads in Germany and I imagine you were taking good care of the 4C on your test drive.

However the TG report was done on very long drives over Welsh roads which included country roads that are probably only slightly better than the frost heaved, pothole-filled country roads we have in Ontario. TG tested all 3 cars over the same roads so their impressions were comparisons between those cars. This makes their comments more relevant and credible. A compliant suspension works much better than a stiff one on everyday roads - the stiff one is for the track.

Yes, it's always better to test drive and assess for yourself.

 

[ame]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eT4WXokoAx0[/ame]

It's included in the EVO car of the year 2013. Really bad feedback again.

 

Yes, EVO's comments seem to echo TG's. Maybe if Alfa would simply sort out the steering, pick more appropriate rubber and retune the exhaust they can remove these detractions from the rest of the car, which is otherwise very compelling. Such corrections shouldn't be a big deal.

 

uh oh... she's hitting the cannolis pretty hard on her way over the ocean
The U.S.-Spec Alfa Romeo 4C Is 342 Pounds Heavier

Hard to believe the 342lb difference is from a different seat, couple small airbags, A/C and a radio, and a "thicker carbon fiber tub". What, is it 6" thick?!?
Gotta be some extra poundage in the bumpers.
Euro 308 owners crow about how their car is 150lbs lighter than US ones, american 4C owners better prepare themselves for hell

 

this is what i feared from the beginning. it really needed big superiority over cayman in driving dynamics to make a case for itself but not likely at 2500 lbs. how did lotus get under 2000 lbs with aluminum 10 yrs ago and alfa cant do it now with cf?

same as it always was -alfa looks good, drives ok, poor convenience/quality/service, etc. why did they even bother? just get a 355/360

 

The Elise skated with a special DOT bumper exception and has no side airbags and is a complete rattletrap with no sound deadening and essentially no effort to control NVH. A perfect tradeoff IMO, but Big Brother and luxury-craving Americans will no longer tolerate such things.

Just like most men prefer Kate Upton to Keira Knightley. I'll go without DOT bumpers any day.

I'll not be buying a 2500 lb Alfa; I'll keep the Elise.

 

Agreed and not only did it not show big superiority over the cayman, it lost in almost if not all comparisons. With reviewers stating in summary less steering feel, worse handling, certainly the sound is disappointing. I lost interest a while ago, so haven't kept up with the reviews, but from what I've seen, it does not seem raw/pure or special(besides looks) as I originally had hoped for. Lotus seems like the better option for those looking for a light pure drivers car.

 

Yup, I think you have summed it up about right. The steering and suspension sound almost dangerous in terms of jumping and lack of on center tracking. My CS is raw, but it tracks like a laser...raw doesn't have to be skittish.

The looks are clearly (for those that like them) fantastic and the tub and exotic-ness kick ass off any run of the mill Porsche any day - but the driving dynamics sound atrocious...sigh, we are even willing to put up with poor ergonomics and quirky controls - hell we almost want them - but the things gotta drive pure!