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

Interesting video. Thanks for posting.

 

Nice report, thanks. It was the wait that made me go ahead and get a 308. I'm sure I'll get a 4C at some point, but not until they are more generally available.

Cheers,

George

 

First Drive: The US-spec Alfa Romeo 4C - Road & Track

We made one big mistake when we tested the European-spec 4C a few months back: We didn’t weigh it.

So we don’t know just how much weight the car has gained on its journey across the pond (it’s not 350 lbs as you might have read elsewhere. Alfa’s original claims of a 2000-lb car were for the 4C with no radio, no air-conditioning, and knowing the Italians, no transmission.). But at least we now know what the US-spec 4C weighs: 2437 lbs with the base wheels and no muffler.

The next question: Is the ostensibly heavier US-spec car slower?

Quick answer: Nope.

The better news is that the US-spec 4C drives just as well as the Euro car. It’s been a few months since I drove the Euro car, but without driving them back to back, I can say you won’t notice any changes in body control, in steering heaviness, anything. It remains one of the most enjoyable experiences you can have behind the wheel of a modern car.

 

Looking forward to test driving one. Reminds me of the turbo lancia a scorpion I had in my youth.....30 years ago......but better.......maybe more along the lines of the iconic lancia stratos.......all for under 60 grand....

 

It must be great to be an all knowing journalist....
What a silly, self serving (Author: "Allow me to hip you to my coolness") piece. The 4C is an interesting addition to the under $100K derby, but to deride the Cayman/Boxster/Corvette for being too good is just silly.

Jimmy

 

Interesting...I didn't have the same reaction...or anywhere near it. I thought "this review is finally what I've been expecting to hear about the 4c".

And, fwiw, I completely get what he is talking about with regard to the newer Porsches. I've been saying the same thing about the 458...IMHO nearly all of today's sports cars are too GT like and have to be driven at bat **** crazy speeds to get any excitement (they are too capable...too good if you will). It's precisely why I still have my CS and haven't "upgraded" to 458 or several other more modern, more capable "sports cars". And, it's also precisely why I've been waiting for this 4c...I've been hoping it was a raw, loud, crude but wide-grin-fun car to drive at moderate speeds.

 

All I can say is thank heaven Alfa didn't make another Cayman

We already have a Cayman.

What we don't have is an Alfa.

 

Well said! That captures it all right there.

 

Well, it seems by all accounts that you got what you wanted with the 4C....a loud, crude car that is fun to drive at moderate speeds. I guess we'll see how many BUYERS want a car like this....should be interesting. I am surprised that very few have dinged this car for having an automatic transmission ONLY, the omission of 3 pedals should be a MAJOR minus for what this car is SUPPOSED to be, according to all the "enthusiasts.

It is a good day to be a car enthusiast when all these modern sports cars are "too good". Maybe we can get Porsche to bring back the 930 Turbo to remind everyone how HORRENDOUS (and dangerous) sports cars COULD be.

Jimmy

 

You sound angry like you were personally insulted. Why would you care if others like the 4C versus anything else?


Mark

 

Ummm....it's called a "discussion". I am not ranting, just pointing out things that strike me as odd (or downright silly), such as a Cayman being "too good" (now there's a problem, the car is "too good"). If someone likes the 4C, great. I'll withhold my subjective comments until I've driven one.

I'm curious....I just re-read every one of my posts in this thread....where was I "angry" or "personally insulted". Why do YOU care if someone (me) points out obvious odd things about the car (lack of a manual transmission in what is supposed to be an enthusiast, "old school", sports car, for one) and what is written about it????

Jimmy

PS. The new Corvette is a perfect example of car journalist waffling. These guys beat the C6 to death for it's lack of refinement, crappy interior, etc. They all conceded that it was a track monster. Now, with the C7, where all their complaints were addressed, the car writers now pose: "It's too good, it's lost some of it's soul".

 

Thanks for the detailed review Robin.
And you name two of my all time favorite cars: Vauxhall/Opel Speedster and Smart Roadster!
I've had many fantastically fun laps of the 'Ring in both.
Have you modded the Smart for your wife any? I'd heard that chip-tuning can pretty easily get a few more hp out of the motor, but other than that I wouldn't change much of anything on a street driven one.

Two weekends ago there was a white and red 4C at the 'Ring, first ones I've seen in the flesh. No doubt, they are gorgeous little things but peeking in the window confirmed what you said: very tight, very upright seating position. The Speedster/Elise isn't exactly roomy but it's more reclined and I had no problems fitting comfortably in them.

Like others who have driven the 4C I'd really like to see some reviews with skinnier, more sidewally tires. Cars that aren't at there best at 10/10s i.e. balls-out speed should have some controllable, fun sliding going on like the Speedster, Smoadster and 308 for example.
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500 lbs heavier than my Elise is disappointing. I sure won't order one but I'd like to drive it to see if I change my mind. But I am more likely to go a vastly different direction and look at the Z06. Probably 100 lbs heavier but with over 2x the power and much more usability it is more interesting to me.

 

Jimmy,

I believe you are miss-understanding what "we" mean by "too good". To me, too good means they are too refined, approaching boring.

A sportscar is supposed to get you excited not just do the job perfectly. It should cause you to be a little intimidated and/or be a just for fun vehicle, ie. a normal person wouldn't want to drive across Australia in it

Going fast is no fun if it does not really feel fast IMO.
Pete

 

See your post above. No more needs to be said.


Mark

 

Pete,
The above is YOUR opinion, which you are entitled to. The sports car buying majority disagrees with you, which is why sports cars are the way they are today. I would offer that this "too good" deal happens with every new generation of a sports car. Certainly, with each new gen 911, reams of paper are used bemoaning the car's "too goodness" compared to the previous generation (and the previous gen car was "too good" compared to the generation IT replaced). The car makers are certainly more re-active (to customer wants, competition, etc) than active. Ferrari no longer offers 3 pedal cars because no one bought them when given a choice (F1 verses manual), even though F1 was a very hefty option ($10,000 if memory serves).

Jimmy

 

2015 Alfa Romeo 4C: The Most Affordable Supercar!
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySvb44ucuIE&list=PLEFAC5D656286E89B]2015 Alfa Romeo 4C: The Most Affordable Supercar! - Ig. Ep 113 - YouTube[/ame]

OK video. Not a lot of input.

 

I understand the "too good" comment from my ownership of a 996TT. I wouldn't call it too good but it was so refined as to have engineered out some soul, or maybe I should say character. I still refer to it as the fastest Honda one will ever own.

As for the upcoming 4C, I look forward to it with great anticipation. I would have preferred a 6-spead manual if it were going to be the driver's car Alfa advertises it to be. That is my preference. I regret Alfa did not see it that way and offer the car with either version. Perhaps they will after the roll out.

It is funny that many reviewers write about the various sequential transmissions as the future of performance and sports driving, probably since it mimics what professionals use on the track. I get it, but that is not me. I don't race but I like a spirited drive. For me that includes my Luddite preference for rowing manual gears.

Back to Porsches. I do like them very much. In fact I would opt for either a GT3 or Cayman R if I included one in my garage. Interesting from my point of view because these are 2 models I think Porsche designed to be closest to the Ferrari-type ownership experience I like.

The 4C will be bought in droves by American enthusiasts, have no fear. The market will show its support for the brand and model. There are not enough of us rowers to really make or break the success of a car like the 4C coming only in sequential equipment. Still it would have been nice to have a choice and mine would have been clear.

That was an interesting comment about reviewers and the C6/C7 comparison. You can never please everyone. What the reviewers missed is that the brand is evolutionary and Chevy wants to show they can create a world class performance sports car without exception. The new Stingray does that, IMO. Except for the push rod engine. It may end up that the new Mustang actually achieves this goal now that they have all the right items on the sports car punch list.

 

im starting to warm up to the alfa but I do not see it being 'bought in droves by American enthusiasts' at all. it is basically an updated lotus elise and that car showed how small, great handling sports cars are ignored by the usa marketplace. hope im wrong though

 

The irony of the 4c is that it's exactly what Fchatters say they wish Ferrari would do every time a new Ferrari model is introduced

1) smaller
2) lighter
3) more basic
4) more engaging
5) more beautiful
6) less expensive and yet --
7) more exclusive with lower production numbers

If it had prancing horse logo on the side, the car would sell out for years at $120 grand.

Yet they have to "think about it" at $60 grand.

 

Completely agree...it's why I think the 4c is very cool.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

+1

Me too.



Mark

 

There's one think missing from your theory - a great naturally aspirated V6 engine, like the Busso was .
The 4 cylinder in the 4C sounds trashy and has turbo lag...

 

I differ to the California T.

---Those days are over. Turbo lag and muffled exhausts are Ferrari's future.

We heard the same thing from the Ferrari fans when the Dino came out. It wasn't a V12 so it couldn't be "a real Ferrari".

The 4c isn't a Ferrari. It isn't meant to be one. It's meant to be show what Ferrari and Porsche have forgotten what a sports car should be.