Alfa Romeo 4C

4C Concept

Differences between the 4C concept (left) and the European spec production model 4C (right)

The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept is a two-seater, rear-wheel drive coupé with technology and materials derived from the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, with a 1750 cc turbo petrol engine with direct injection, the "Alfa TCT" twin dry clutch transmission, and the Alfa DNA dynamic control selector.

The 4C concept version was unveiled in the 81st Geneva Motor Show in March 2011,[9][10] followed by the Mille Miglia 2011 parade,[11] Goodwood Festival of Speed 2011,[12] 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.[13]

It was displayed for the first time outside in Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in 2012. Compared to the production version, it is very similar, with the biggest differences being front lights, side vents and mirrors.

The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept was voted the 'Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year' award by the readers of German magazine Auto Bild, and won the Auto Bild Design Award 2011.[14] It was awarded the "Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes" by referendum of the public in Villa d'Este.[15][16]

The production car was unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show,[17] followed by 2013 Essen 'Techno Classica',[18] Goodwood Festival of Speed 2013,[19] Moscow Raceway,[20] 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show.[21]

The bare '4C000' chassis was also shown at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.[22]

Ordering of European models began in October 2013 at Alfa Romeo dealerships in Europe.[23]

As part of the Alfa Romeo 4C launch, Alfa Romeo Style Centre and Compagnia Ducale designed a 4C IFD (Innovative Frame Design) Bicycle, inspired by the Alfa Romeo 4C coupé. The vehicle went on sale in December 2013 and marketed in Europe, Asia and America.[24][25]

Production of the 4C began May 2013 at Maserati's plant in Modena, with an expected production of up to 2500 units per year.[26] It will be the first mass-produced Alfa Romeo car for re-entry into the US market.[27]

Production of the Alfa Romeo 4C was originally estimated to be over 1000 units per year,[28] with an upper limit of 3500 units per year, depending on the quantity of carbon fiber chassis that can be built by the supplier Adler Plastic.[29][30][31] Within the 3,500-unit quota, 1,000 units of which are earmarked for Europe.[23]

Delivery of the European Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition took place at Balocco (Vercelli, Italy) Test Centre, with vehicles delivered to Pierluigi De Silvestro (Switzerland), Philippe Walch (France), Carlos Diniz (Germany), Aldo Mariani (the Netherlands) and Stefano Zanotti (Italy).[32] In 2018 4C, in its coupé form, will no longer be available in United States.[33] 4C Spider will however continue to be sold there. As of 2019 both models are still in production for the full year at least.[34][1] For 2020, the 4C Spider was still in production.[35] In late 2020, a new tribute-edition named 33 Stradale Tributo was announced.[36][37]

4C carbon frame

Alfa Romeo 4C cockpit

The car was designed by Centro Stile Alfa Romeo (Style Centre) and developed by Alfa Romeo. The chassis is composed of a central carbon fiber tub, with aluminium subframes front and rear.[38] The carbon fiber tub is produced by TTA (Tecno Tessile Adler) in Airola, as a joint venture between Adler Plastic and Lavorazione Materiali Compositi.[39] The carbon fiber components that make up the chassis are cut using CNC technology.[40]

The entire carbon-fiber monocoque chassis ("tub") of the car weighs 143 pounds (65 kg). Front and rear aluminum subframes combine with the tub, roof reinforcements and engine mounting to comprise the 4C chassis giving the vehicle a total chassis weight of 236 lb (107 kg) and a total vehicle curb weight of just 2,465 lb (1,118 kg). The 4C has a single carbon fiber body, similar to the body of many supercars. The outer body is made of a composite material (SMC for Sheet Moulding Compound) which is 20% lighter than steel. The stability is comparable to steel and better than aluminium.

The 4C employs double wishbone suspensions at the front and MacPherson struts at the rear.[41] The resultant weight distribution is 38% on the front and 62% on the rear axle.[42][43] Wheels and tires have different diameters and widths front and rear: 205/45 R17 front and 235/40 R18 back as standard, with optional 205/40 R18 and 235/35 R19.[44] Both wheel options come equipped with Pirelli P Zero tires. The 4C uses vented disc brakes on all wheels; Brembo 305 millimetres (12.0 in) on the front and 292 millimetres (11.5 in) on the rear. The car can stop from 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph) in 36 meters.[5] To save weight and increase steering feel, the 4C has no power steering. Its center of gravity height, at 40 centimetres (16 in) off the ground,[45] is 7 centimetres (2.8 in) lower than that of the Lotus Elise.[46]

4 cylinder 1750 TBi (direct injection turbo)

The 4C uses a new all-aluminium 1.75 L (1,742 cc) inline 4 cylinder turbocharged engine[47] producing 240 metric horsepower (177 kW) at 6000 rpm. The engine has been designed for minimum weight. The engine's combined fuel consumption 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres (42 mpg_‑imp; 35 mpg_‑US).[4] 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) acceleration is achieved in 4.5 seconds and the top speed is 258 kilometres per hour (160 mph),[5] the power-to-weight-ratio being just 0.267 hp/kg (8.22 lb/hp).[7] A journalist from Quattroruote car magazine demonstrated how the 4C accelerates from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) faster than 4.5 seconds. In race mode, with left foot on the brake pedal, if you pull the right shift paddle the engine will rev to 3500 rpm, but if you also pull the left paddle the engine will rev to 6000 rpm and 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) time will go down to 4.2 seconds.[48]

Italian car magazine Quattroruote published the lap time of 4C around Nürburgring. It lapped the ring in 8:04.[49]

The 4C is equipped with a six speed Alfa TCT Dual Dry Clutch Transmission, and can be operated via gearshift paddles on the steering wheel. It also has an Alfa 'DNA' dynamic control selector which controls the behavior of engine, brakes, throttle response, suspension and gearbox.[50] In addition to the modes already seen in Giulietta, the 4C has a new "Race" mode.

North American version of the Alfa Romeo 4C

The U.S. version of the 4C was introduced in the 2014 New York International Auto Show with the first 100 4C's being shipped to the U.S. early July, with a total of 850 being shipped by the end of 2014.[51] The U.S. model includes extra bracing and strengthening required to meet U.S. crash regulations (including aluminium inserts in the carbon fiber chassis), resulting in 100 kg (220 lb) of weight increase. This version also has new headlamps similar to those seen before in the 4C Spider version.

The coupe was discontinued after the 2018 model year but the Spider model was kept on the market.[52]

4C Spider at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show

The Spider version of the 4C was previewed showing a pre-production prototype at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.[53] Sharing its engine with the Coupé version, the 4C Spider has different external parts such as the headlights, exhaust and engine hood, as well as a different roof section that features a removable roof panel. Alfa admits it has had to make some strengthening tweaks to the 4C to cope with the removal of the top, with the net result being a 45 kg (99 lb) weight increase (dry weight 940 kg),.[54] In the US, the weight difference is listed at only 22 lb (10 kg), however (2,465 lbs: 2,487 lbs). Top speed is quoted at 257 km/h (160 mph) and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) at 4.5 seconds. Novelty to the 4C range is an optional yellow colour for the Spider.

Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition (European model)

The 4C Launch Edition was a limited and numbered edition, unveiled at the vehicle's launch at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The vehicle came in a choice of four paint colours (Rosso Alfa, Rosso Competizione tri-coat, Madreperla White tri-coat or Carrara White matt). 400 examples were reserved for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, 500 for North America and 100 for the rest of the world (88 delivered to Australia—in Rosso Alfa and Madreperla White only).[55] Distinguishing features of the Launch Edition were carbon fiber trim (including headlight housings, spoiler and door mirror caps), rear aluminium extractor with dark finishing, Bi-LED headlights, dark painted 18-inch front and 19-inch rear alloy wheels, additional air intakes on the front fascia, red brake calipers, racing exhaust system, BMC air cleaner, specific calibration for shock absorbers and rear anti-roll bar, leather/fabric sports seats with parts in Alcantara and a numbered plaque. Alfa Red coloured cars got matching red stitching on the steering wheel, handbrake, mats, handles and sports seats.[32][56]

In Europe the vehicle went on sale for 60,000 euros including VAT.[57]

4C Competizione Limited Edition

The 4C Competizione is a limited edition 2018 (108 cars worldwide) version of the 4C introduced in the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, finished in matte Vesuvio Grey, with carbon details on the roof, rear spoiler, mirror caps, side air vents and headlight moulding.[58] The Japanese market received 25 units of this limited edition,[59][60] 10 units were assigned to Australia,[61] and the US-market received no Competizione allocations.[62]

4C Spider Italia Limited Edition

First introduced in 2018, it was a limited edition of 108 cars available worldwide.[63] This limited version has Misano Blue Metallic paint; and front air intake and rear diffuser finished in Piano Black. A special Spider Italia emblem adorns the rear fenders, and the design features the Italian flag. The inside has an aluminum 4C Spider Italia plaque on the center console.[64] Japan received 15 units of Italia limited edition for their customers[59][65] and the US also received 15 examples as 2020 models.[62]

The final limited edition of the 4C Spider was the 33 Stradale Tributo at the end of 2020.[66] It is a tribute to the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale, and limited to 33 cars. The 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo features exclusive Rosso Villa d’Este tri-coat paint, with gray-gold wheels and a "tobacco" (brown) leather interior. It also includes a unique numbered plaque, and a book detailing the 4C and 33 Stradale. The 33 Stradale Tributo includes many of the 4C Spider's optional features, such as the Akropovic exhaust and race-tuned suspension.

A private tuning and racing firm, Picchio S.p.a. , created a limited production race prepared Alfa Romeo 4C. The Alfa Romeo 4C Picchio is powered by a new 4-cylinder turbo 1750 cc engine with 600 horsepower (CV) and equipped with a Hewland sequential semi automatic gearbox operated with steering wheel controls and suspension redesigned for use with Pirelli PZero 13 inch tires. The car is fully race prepared with FIA certificate and contains the mandatory roll cage, cut-off switches, and with all interior removed except for a new bucket seat and race harness.[69] The prototype of this car is being used in Italian Hillclimb events, though customers can specify to have their own car built to order at a price of 296,000 euros.[70]