Alfa Romeo 4C Spider: driving test and video
Posted on 10-08-2015 to 16:00 pm by Wouter – 138 Comments”
A bella machina with a rough edge to it.
[ First look, then read? Watch the video HERE! ]
The Alfa 4C and 4C Spider are the lifebuoy to which Alfa Romeo lovers cling to in the swirling ocean that the car market is hot. After all, after the launch of the Giulietta in 2010 it was painstakingly quiet in Italy. We got some new colors, sure, a lot of Alpha babes and even more sure, but that is too little for the brand to keep it alive. With the announcement of the Giulia is the brand from Arese to comeback to work.
A lightweight racer carbon
With a mid-engine, indeed, this is also the recipe of what supercar builders such as Ferrari and McLaren operate. In terms of concept, the Alfa 4C also great. A carbon monocoque chassis clad with lightweight SMC (sheet molded compound), thinner and therefore lighter windows and a carbon fiber windshield frame.
Alfa Romeo did not so but the saw into the roof to the Spider to create. The design on the back went on the kick, and the result is a tailgate that nice grass blends in with the roof. The rear window remains, incidentally, and so it is actually not a convertible, but a Targa. Alfa calls it a Spider, despite the fact that earlier Spiders really are convertibles were.
The roof is simple, but effective. A button to the roof with a graceful motion, as with the 911 Targa to open blows, you will search for in vain in the interior. With old-fashioned handwork, you click the six points loose, just roll it up and the boot target. Which is, incidentally, for the half, full and even for a weekend luggage for two is tight. Or impossible if you had thought that a suitcase had to, because the buddy cabin bag fits all not even comfortable in.
Stop whining
Indeed, a compact sports car is not a space miracle in terms of baggage, so preferably looking for a weekendvriend(in) during the journey, enough for two strings and a toothbrush. Travel light, we call that fit in with the feathery turmoil that a 4C brings on the scales. I must admit, the Coupe remains at just under 900 kg, while the Spider what looiiger is 975 kilograms.
A well-known block
Amidships in the back is the well-known 1750 cc turbocharged engine that also the Giulietta QV is not without merit to move forward, but the 4C will get there wings. Soon, the 4C is sure, though it is also strange is that Alfa Romeo for coupe and Spider the same sprinttijd to 100 specify of 4.5 seconds. Eighty kilograms of extra weight, it would also but a tenth of a second can cost. The top speed is not electronically limited, but the physical laws of aerodynamics to create at 257 km/h to an end.
The four-cylinder is only known to be temperamental in the midrange. The four-cylinder provides plenty of newtonmeters to the wheels, but at higher speeds there is not an extra gear. Such a motorkarakter is nice for daily driving in an average car, but that is the 4C. Also the throttle response is not linear enough, and that makes dosing even more difficult, what helps to 4C are sitting on the limit to drive.
Driving
It was a while ago that I was in a car without power steering reed. It is absolutely get used at low speeds, but as soon as the counter is above 50 km/h is, I missed it. The section did unfortunately continually a rodeo-bull after. With every bump wring the steering wheel in your hands, and bigger bumps, it also has real impact on the direction where the wheels stand around. In terms of balance is the 4C a bit boring onderstuurd and really easy to bang your ass not to be on the public road. The 4C gives you that trust is just not there, where a Porsche Boxster does.
HIJSWELWATLUIDHE
Tip of the day: think three times after for the optional sports exhaust with ordered. That is so loud that a meter vibration app on the highway more than 90 decibels indicated. In order to give you a sense: the occupational health service mandatory noise protection above 85 db. After a day I was the 4C in terms of sound than it really was, too much is too much.
Price and competition
Once started, the Alfa 4C Coupe at about 60 mille, but slowly it is Alpha’s toy a lot more expensive. The Coupe is now for thick 70 mille in the books, the 4C Spider will cost a whopping € 81.550,-. That is not much for a car that in 4.5 seconds to 100 sprint, but for a car with manual air-conditioning, a lousy-sounding aftermarket radio and a finish that within, at most, is OK. If it is not leather covered (optional for dashboard and seats!) or of carbon, then the cheap black plastic.
If you look at the price lists to offer for alternatives, which are fast and up to 85K cost, then you can go with Lotus go for a concept similar Elise. Of a different order are the BMW Z4, Porsche Boxster S and Audi TT-S Roadster. It is painful for Alfa Romeo is that all three of us a better road-holding have, in fact, even Audi is the chassis better balanced. Of course, it is the Alfa in a straight line faster, but even I leave every traffic light with launch control.
Conclusion
Perfect is the 4C, absolutely not, far from it. Partly with the concept. A lightweight racer has no baking with interieurruimte and triple-cushioned and heated armrests with massage mode. Worse is that the handling is not as sharp and inspiring as it should be. Also motor beats Alfa Romeo not a homerun with the 4C, although the four cylinder engine absolutely no bad block is.
Although the Alfa Romeo 4C is not necessarily a good car is, I got on the morning that the 4C Spider is back again importer had with a big smile in the car. Along the way I realized that I have one. And how to win the emotion to the back of the ratio, and that is exactly what Alfa Romeo in excels. Decent people (and me) head hunting. Movie!
Gallery: Alfa Romeo 4C Spider
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