By: Minesh Bhagaloo
The Alfa of Alfas. That’s how Italian carmaker Alfa Romeo describes its latest creation, the 4C.
It also calls it a compact and affordable supercar which embodies the sporty DNA of the brand, with craftsmanship skills from sister sports car-maker Maserati. And local Alfisti won’t have to wait too long to see it in the flesh, as it’s expected in South Africa in the fourth quarter of the year, with pricing confirmed at R799 990.
Manufactured at the Maserati plant in Modena, the sibling to the much-lauded 8C was developed with a focus on package and performance – with the latter pegged at four kilograms per horsepower.
The 4C tips the scales at just 895kg – thanks to a recipe of aluminium, steel, carbonfibre and sheet moulding compound technology – and achieves that desired power-to-weight ratio.
The monocoque chassis, which uses technology from F1, is made from carbon fibre and on its own weighs just 65kg – while the window glass, for example, is on average 10 percent thinner than normal.
LIMITED VOLUMES
The 4C won’t be a mass-produced car and just 3500 will be built annually. The plant will offer more of a “hand-crafted” approach, meaning greater attention to detail, and builders of the 4C will have at least five years of work experience on Maseratis.
The 4m rear-wheel drive coupé will be powered by Alfa’s 1 750cc turbo petrol engine (177kW and 350Nm), mated to a TCT twin dry clutch transmission offering a new race mode. Alfa reckons the 4C will break 100km/h from standstill in 4.5 seconds before topping out at 260km/h.
From a design point of view it’s a stunner, with Alfa’s Centro Stile design studio looking to classic Alfas, and aeronautics, for inspiration.
The 1967 33 Stradale was called on for dimension and layout motivation; while the 1938 8C 2900 B Touring was a model for the lightweight aluminium body.
LAUNCH EDITION
The first cars to arrive in South Africa will be Launch Editions with special touches including carbonfibre on the front air intake, rear spoiler headlamps, mirror covers, instrument cluster cover, gear button bezel and steering wheel.
Also specific to these launch cars are darker alloy wheels, red brake calipers, racing suspension, a sports exhaust system, LED headlamps and the choice of specific Carrara White or Rosso Red body colours.
Fiat has confirmed that irrespective of rand fluctuations the R799 990 price will stand, but it cannot confirm the pricing of the standard models that will come in next year. Included in the pricetag is a three-year/100 000km warranty and maintenance plan.
And the name?
The designation 4C refers to Alfa Romeo’s sporting tradition: in the 1930s and 1940s the names 8C and 6C were used for special cars (both racing and non-racing) fitted with eight and six cylinder engines.
The 4C continues the tradition with its four cylinders and compact-supercar nature. -Star Motoring