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When a car comes along that sounds this good and looks this stunning, it doesn't really
matter how it drives, you just want one.
But the 4C promises to be more than just a pretty face. Unlike rivals like the Lotus
Elise and the Porsche Cayman, under this amazing bodywork, is a carbon-fibre monocoque, a bit
like the one you get in the McLaren 12C or Porsche 918 Spyder. That, and other strict
weight saving measures, mean the 4C weighs just 895kg without passengers or fluids, which
isn't very much at all. And as we all know, less weight means better fuel economy, sharper
handling, and more fun!
The styling and mid-engined layout all scream junior supercar, but the engine is a humble
four cylinder turbo, taken from the Giulietta hatch, recast in aluminium and tuned up to
240bhp, which feels like plenty. 0-62mph takes 4.5 seconds and top speed is 160mph, and as
you can hear, fitted with the optional sports exhaust it sounds like an old race car from
the fifties, especially from the outside, and you can hear the intake sucking away in
here. But what's it like on the road?
unfortunately it's not perfect. On the track where you can really thrash it performance
is ballistic, but here on the road, with slower corners, throttle response soggy at best,
and the engine feels laggy and doesn't rev freely enough. Fortunately a good gearbox
can cover up an engine's shortfalls, and this TCT twin-clutch is lightning fast on up shifts
but occasionally a little reluctant to change down. Once the turbo lights up it's fast and
loud, make no mistake, but the powertrain's responses need to be sharper.
Powertrain aside, this chassis is a work of art. It feels incredibly stiff, the turn in
is brilliant grip is monumental, the brakes are incredible and this unassisted steering
buzzes with feedback, plus the ride isn't too firm for a car of this type, it's just such a shame
there's no manual gearbox!!
There's no stereo or air-con either, if you ask Alfa to delete then for free that is,
but There are four driving modes to choose from too, dynamic, natural, all-weather and
race. Unlike some supercars, race isn't too aggressive for the road, and sharpens up the
gearbox nicely. And as for interior quality, well it can't match the Cayman, but the 4Cs
driving position is spot on and the TFT instrument screen and exposed carbon fibre looks fantastic.
But have Alfa done enough?"
"Yes and no. You see the 4C is a car you want to love, for it's boldness, for it's stunning
looks and for it's engineering purity. It delivers big
time with it's handling, and 40mpg fuel economy, too, but it's as if Alfa ran short on funds
when it came to the engine, gearbox and interior fittings. Ultimately the 4C has a big Porsche
Cayman shaped problem, and with prices for the Alfa starting at £45,000 it's
going to be tough convincing 3,500 customers a year to walk past the Porsche.