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    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    There also was a rumor of a more powerful version, anyone having a latest update on that?


    --

    RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet, Porsche Macan Turbo, Ford Mustang GT500 Shelby SVT (2014), Mini JCW (2015), Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (2014)


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    I would totally get one, great value for what the car is... Probably best in the segment (Boxster Elise TT...).


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    Alfa are supposedly working on a Cloverleaf version of the car but there is no hard info on it from what I have read. There are a number of ECU tuning options that have had very good reviews from owners who have had them fitted and say the car delivers more power throughout the rev range. These usually take the car up to around 280 bhp which gives a pretty good power to weight ratio. The engine is capable of handling quite a lot more power  and one of the UK specialists is currently working on a revised turbo which is hoped to develop around 330 bhp.

    I'm going to try their demo car with the 280 bhp upgrade at some point in the next few weeks and possibly get their wishbone spacer kit and geometry realignment done. The great thing about the 4C is that is relatively easy to alter the set up to suit individual tastes. There are exhaust options as well that get rid of the resonance that affects the factory Race exhaust system but I have got used to that and don't mind it as it adds to the character of the car. I don't want it any quieter or any louder.


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    Usually I hate tuning cars, but the 4C is different. With a lower price point it is a car you can fun tuning and worse just reverse everything back. It also seems Alfa left a lot of room to improve the direction and the engine, something Porsche doesn't really do.

    Thinking more about it if I still lived in the countryside I would totally do the exact same as you and get the 4C as a 7th car and mod it. But since I don't even drive everyday anymore 6 cars is already too many angry


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    To be honest, for normal road use (autobahn flying excepted) I have never found the car lacking in power with the standard set up. It feels pretty manic with even a mild flex of the right foot in dynamic mode and I do wonder if tinkering about too much with it will take away from the character of the car which is what makes it so special IMHO. If I want to go faster I have other options in the garage. The 4C is the one I take out if I want an invigorating blast as it "feels" fast even at modest speeds due to the very low running height which keeps you much closer to the road surface, the carbon tub which amplifies all of the noise and drama of the drivetrain and the visor like feeling of the windscreen and side windows which makes you feel like you are sitting in something pretty special. A 981 Boxster or Cayman cabin feels like being in a Panamera by way of comparison smiley

    For me the 4C should have been advertised like this as having owned both it is much more what the car is like in terms of character than the Abarth is Smiley

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WSqTJjVDqU

     


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    What you are writing "feels" fast even at modest speeds - is actually what I'm looking for. With the modern sports cars you are way to fast - it is super illegal and also super dangerous. 

    Just coming back from the dealer. Actually he currently holds 3 Spiders for immediate delivery. One with the leather dash option (a must IMO). I asked him about the 50th anniversary, he doesnt know anything about it, but he will check around to learn about. We agreed that end of Feb I will test drive it for a weekend, this should give the final "must have" feeling :) 

    The car is really super cool. That carbon monocoque you usually find in a total different price range. And having it build so weight light makes it fun. As the limitation is below 1000 cars/year they can skip many parts which are mandatory for others (headlight washers, etc.). Also - I love to have a dual clutch gear box combined with a 900kg car, this with 240 HP and a carbon monocoque. They really achieved a fun car with lots of desirable facts for a low price. 

     


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    for road use, 240hp is plenty.

    I don't see any need for more power.

    more leather, yes!


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    The leather dash is nice but I don't have it in my launch edition and don't even notice the plastic dash now. I always thought I'd love the interior with the full leather dash and door panels the US market cars get but the stripped out feel of the plastic interior actually feels better to me in the coupe if that makes sense as it looks more purposeful and less luxury oriented. I agree that with the roof off on the spider the leather dash will look great though.

    I understand the hesitancy of some with regard to the price but if you look at what Alfa have actually delivered with this car which is such a low volume model it is incredible it made it to production at all. I don't think we will see anything like it again any time soon. I very much doubt that Porsche, with all of their technical expertise and production capability, would ever have signed off a project like this as it would have been deemed too costly.

    I firmly believe that the Rennteamers of 2035 onwards will be discussing it as a classic.


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    to be fair the plastic dash and plastics generally (apart from HVAC controls), are of a good standard

    all this talk of 4C is making me very twitchy


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    sfo:

    to be fair the plastic dash and plastics generally (apart from HVAC controls), are of a good standard

    all this talk of 4C is making me very twitchy

    hehe... same here Smiley

    And yes - the Rennteamers of 2035 will discuss it. With all new regulations coming up, this is one of a kind! Smiley


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    It is not a limited production right?


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    It is limited in the sense that annual production numbers have to be kept below the threshold where more stringent construction legislation would apply. I've read that this is around 1000 cars per year for the European market alone but am not sure how many more they are allowed to make for the US, ROW etc. The supply of coupes to the US market ends with the 2016 model year as it will not meet changes to DOT airbag rules that come into effect for the 2017 model year. The spider is unaffected (I've no idea why) and will still be available to buy.

    There are also physical restrictions on how many cars Maserati can build per day plus the number of carbon tubs Adler can make for Alfa.


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    SciFrog:

    It is not a limited production right?

    AFAIK only by the finite rate they can build tubs etc, not so easy to quickly scale up, and there are many hand built pieces. Sort of like Audis slow R8 production..... and cynics may say that Fiat group loses money on 4Cs like Audi lost money on initial R8s.  The cost of halo cars... they have their own special budgeting. 


    --

    2011 Range Rover Sport S/C,  2009 Porsche 911S


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    The dealer told me that they are producing max. 999 cars a year. It doesnt matter for which market they build it, even if they would build 1001 cars and only one of them goes to Europe than the threshold would be taken and regulations would apply.


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    I was watching a video on how the 4C is built .. every single body panel is handmade from SMC; quite a long winded process.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faFo40izlhk


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    woow, saw all the video, what a long process, so the price is even to low if you consider all the work!!!

    I love this car...


    --

    993 c2


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    sfo:

    for road use, 240hp is plenty.

    I don't see any need for more power.

    more leather, yes!

    The 4C performance figures are certainly more than OK for road use and even for Autobahn driving, they are OK. Any car doing 0-200 kph below 20 seconds is Autobahn "capable" Smiley, in the sense that you don't have to worry about being hunted by some middle class Diesel station wagons. Smiley

    I was tempted with the 4C and after Lars posted his experience, I am actually tempted again. I also remember the 4C I saw (and listened to) in Beverly Hills, the exhaust note was very nice for a 4-cyl. car, even if I don't know if it was stock.

    The car doesn't seem to have a lot of success but this could also mean that at some point, Alfa Romeo will stop making it. Which could be a good thing for owners because this car could become a collectible at some point. What worries me a little bit is the repair cost for the frame though but hey, what are insurances good for, right?! Smiley


    --

    RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 991 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet, Porsche Macan Turbo, Ford Mustang GT500 Shelby SVT (2014), Mini JCW (2015), Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT (2014)


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    If anyone goes to test drive a 4C remember not to grip the steering wheel tightly or else you will exaggerate the tendency to follow tramlines. This is especially true on an early car that hasn't been through the Pit Stop programme. The more recent cars including the spiders have the revised front suspension system fitted. The secret, as sfo found out, is to hold the wheel lightly on badly surfaced roads and let it move ever so slightly in your hands as it feedbacks what is happening at the road surface. Once you adapt to this and trust the car it becomes a non issue and is actually one of the characteristics that makes it such an involving drive at slower speeds.


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    also remember to find out whether the car has racing suspension fitted. IMO, the standard suspension is less of a handful re:tramlines, ridges and similar stuff on roads.

    If I could find space for a third car, I would have ordered a 4C Spider already. 


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    RC:
     

    I was tempted with the 4C and after Lars posted his experience, I am actually tempted again. I also remember the 4C I saw (and listened to) in Beverly Hills, the exhaust note was very nice for a 4-cyl. car, even if I don't know if it was stock.

    The car doesn't seem to have a lot of success but this could also mean that at some point, Alfa Romeo will stop making it. Which could be a good thing for owners because this car could become a collectible at some point. What worries me a little bit is the repair cost for the frame though but hey, what are insurances good for, right?! Smiley

    Sadly, the market for a pure "toy" is fairly limited.  Only so many people interested in the lightweight Lotus / Alfa / raw type of car.  But I think for people used to something like a Cayman, getting into a 4C could be quite shocking of an experience.

    On the repair side, yes the entire car can be totalled if the chassis is damaged, but I don't think that's a significant worry.  Same issue with Elise / Exiges, and people have been racing those for 20 years now.  The issue more likely to affect your pocket book is not chassis damage, but BODY damage.  Fiberglass cracks easily and then it must be repaired and repainted, unlike a dent to sheet metal.  On my Elise, the front clam has been repaired and repainted once.  The rear claim was replaced entirely under insurance.  Total cost was five figures USD (though no expense was spared).  I believe the 4C bumpers are polyeurethane, which may help.  Rest of a body is fiberglass.

    Spotted a brand new 4C in Downtown LA.  Didn't even have plates on it yet.  Unlucky owner already damaged the car.  Cracks like this will spread if not addressed or can require an entirely new panel ($$).

    20160113122233.jpg

     


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    sfo:

    I was watching a video on how the 4C is built .. every single body panel is handmade from SMC; quite a long winded process.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faFo40izlhk

    I loved that video - amazing how much work goes into it! Smiley


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    The external panels for the 4C are not crazily expensive compared to other low volume exotics. Here is the damaged panel on the red car above by way of example. The repair should be fairly straightforward as the panels are bolted/bonded to the frame which makes replacement easier than a typical monocoque body.

    Rear panel EPER.JPG


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    A bit of teaser info on the 50th Edition. It looks like they are giving it all of the carbon options like they did with the Launch Edition coupes and the UK price is £67,500.

    http://www.alfaromeo.co.uk/models/4c/spider-limited-edition

    50th Anniversary.JPG

    145281195846850th Anniversary 2.JPG

    50th Anniversary 23.JPG

    50th Anniversary 4.JPG


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    I liked the 4C, so tempted to buy one. 


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    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    I guess that 50th Anniversary car is a UK thing. My dealer didnt hear about and there is nothing on the German website!?

     


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    with all this talk about the 4c spider...I'm almost tempted to get one, drove the coupe some time ago and I liked it, I think the spider could be even more fun. 

    I'm into old cars now ( so fun to search for cars and then fix them..)and waiting my model s , but this one is very tempting for the old school supercar feeling.

    Must try one soon.


    --

    993 c2


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    50th anniversary .. that was quick!

     


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    I didnt find too many information's regarding that 50th anniversary. My dealer says it is a UK thing. Also - as far as I see the car is only available in competizione rosso. I'm not sure if I would take a red one, but if, then it I would like to have the "normal" red. However - as probably most of the cars are red, it might be nice taking any other color than that. This little things keeps me up in the night and this usually means I should act on it smiley


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    Lars...go and buy it....kiss


    --

    993 c2


    Re: Alfa Romeo 4C

    Lars997:

    only available in competizione rosso.

    that's £2250 option in the UK


     
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