I want to keep my F type vert for a long time, but would like to add a coupe to the stable in the next year or two. I am trying to hold out for 2 more years until the Maserati Alfieri comes out, but am intrigued by a slew of Youtube reviews I have watched regarding the Alfa Romeo 4C. It is definitely a toy and that is fine with me. The price point (@ 60k for a standard edition coupe) has good value. I'd love to hear any first hand experiences driving/riding in the 4C.

 

I was/am a test engineer for the 4C. What do you want to know?

 

Is there a three pedal version in the offing, ever?

 

I cannot confirm nor deny, mostly because I don't know. Right now a lot of the focus is on the spider version, but Alfa has been known to surprise people in the past, most recently with the upcoming Giulia. Very excited to start working on that car soon!

 

As of mid-last year when I was still looking for a 3 pedaled car, the 4c was not offering an MT. I'm glad they didn't, since I now have the F-Type.

 

1.) Even though the reported 0-60 times of the 4C are not blazing (@ 4.5 seconds), does the car have that exceptionally quick "seat of the pants" feeling?


2.) In person, does the Alfa look like a true exotic from the outside?


3.) Does the seating position feel cramped in terms of lateral leg room (due to the wide door sills) and lack of being able to recline the seatback much?


4.) How would you describe the sound from inside of the cabin? I know it is very subjective, but how loud compared to the F type?

 

They lost me at the 1.7 liter/4 cylinder/237 horsepower motor. $61,000? No thanks.

 

1.) The 4C provides a lot of feedback. It has manual steering and a very basic shock and spring setup compared to the F Type. You feel everything that happens in the 4C. If you do it wrong, you feel it, if you do it right, you feel it. When you get on the power, brakes; turn in hard, you feel the forces acting on your body directly. There is no computers or dampeners to soften the ride. It's a drivers car for sure. And the transmission is quite good for a DTC.

2.). Absolutely 100%. Especially with the launch edition package.

3.). Seating is similar to a lotus. It's not crampt, but the adjustability isn't there for the seats. Only basic adjustment is possible. They are not uncomfortable however.

4.). Relatively loud. There is minimal to no sound deddining material. You get a lot of road noise too.


Keep in mind the car is a full carbon tub and weighs under 2500 pounds. The power to weight ratio is very similar to the V6S F type, and for less money. Granted the luxury isn't there. It's a race car from the factory.

 

Thank u for that info. I would want a standard edition and would be using it on the street only.i would assume the track pack is not needed, since I doubt the 4c is too soft without it. I also would get the 17/18 inch wheels.

 

You're right, the power-to-weight ratio is virtually identical, at 10 lbs. per 1 HP. People always look at HP and forget about weight, which factors equally into the go-fast equation. The Lotus Elise/Exige also had the exact same power-to-weight ratio, which made it very competitive on the track.

The nice thing about cars like that is ALL the power is usable with no holding back to prevent wheel spin and/or loss of control.

 

I've seen the 4C in person a couple of times now...it's more Lotus than "exotic" to me. Not big enough (dimension) to be an exotic like a Ferrari or Lambo. Always felt exotics needed a "presence" and how small the Alfa is, it's more like Lotus to me. Must be a blast to drive though. Small, tossable cars are a blast, even when they are not making big HP numbers.

 

Evo's review of the Spider suggests you may have overdone the grip levels...

 

I don't do the design, i just make sure things get fixed when i find them broken. Guess nothing was broken

 

So are you one of the guys who drives around clocking up lots of miles in the test mules?

 

More or less. We pay people for the serious mileage accumulation. I evaluate the vehicles on a daily basis as mileage increases and make sure there are no issues/issues get documented and fixed.

 

And do you work for FCA or are you a contractor working for multiple OEMs?

Have you driven the Giulia?

 

FCA. And yes, I have.

 

What do you think of it? Not just in terms of drivability but also fit and finish?

 

Unfortunately I cannot tell you anything about this vehicle at this time.