Alfa Romeo 4C Spider
Production of the 4C began May 2013 at Maserati's plant in Modena, with an expected production of up to 2500 units per year. It was the first mass-produced Alfa Romeo model to be sold in the US market since 1995 when the 164 sedan stopped being sold in the US.
Production of the Alfa Romeo 4C was originally estimated to be over 1000 units per year, 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. Within the 3,500-unit quota, 1,000 units are earmarked for Europe.
Delivery of the European Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition took place at Balocco (Vercelli, Italy) Test Centre. In 2018, the 4C coupe was discontinued for the North American market. The 4C Spider, however continued to be sold there for model year 2019 and model year 2020. In other markets, such as Australia and Japan, both the coupe and Spider continued. In late 2020, a new tribute-edition named the 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo was announced.
Specifications
Body and chassis
4C carbon frame
4C interior
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 aluminum subframes front and rear. The carbon fiber tub is produced by TTA (Tecno Tessile Adler) in Airola, as a joint venture between Adler Plastic and Lavorazione Materiali Compositi. The carbon fiber components that make up the chassis are cut using CNC technology.
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 940 kg (2,070 lb). 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 Molding Compound) which is 20% lighter than steel. The stability is comparable to steel and better than aluminum.
The 4C employs double wishbone suspensions at the front and MacPherson struts at the rear. The resultant weight distribution is 38% on the front and 62% on the rear axle. 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. Both wheel options come equipped with Pirelli P Zero tires. The 4C uses vented disc brakes on all wheels; Brembo 305 millimeters (12.0 in) on the front and 292 millimeters (11.5 in) on the rear. The car can stop from 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph) in 36 meters. To save weight and increase steering feel, the 4C has no power steering. Its center of gravity height, at 40 centimeters (16 in) off the ground, is 7 centimeters (2.8 in) lower than that of the Lotus Elise.
Powertrain and performance
4 cylinder 1750 TBi (direct injection turbo)
The 4C uses a new all-aluminum 1.75 L (1,742 cc) inline 4 cylinder turbocharged engine 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 liters per 100 kilometers (42 mpg‑imp; 35 mpg‑US). 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) acceleration is achieved in 4.5 seconds (slightly higher for the North American version due to its increased weight compared to the European counterpart) and the top speed is 258 kilometers per hour (160 mph), the power-to-weight-ratio being just 0.267 hp/kg (8.22 lb/hp). 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.
Italian car magazine Quattroruote published the lap time of 4C around Nürburgring. It lapped the ring in 8:04.
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. In addition to the modes already seen in Giulietta, the 4C has a new "Race" mode.
Alfa Romeo 4C Spider
Production of the 4C began May 2013 at Maserati's plant in Modena, with an expected production of up to 2500 units per year. It was the first mass-produced Alfa Romeo model to be sold in the US market since 1995 when the 164 sedan stopped being sold in the US.
Production of the Alfa Romeo 4C was originally estimated to be over 1000 units per year, 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. Within the 3,500-unit quota, 1,000 units are earmarked for Europe.
Delivery of the European Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition took place at Balocco (Vercelli, Italy) Test Centre. In 2018, the 4C coupe was discontinued for the North American market. The 4C Spider, however continued to be sold there for model year 2019 and model year 2020. In other markets, such as Australia and Japan, both the coupe and Spider continued. In late 2020, a new tribute-edition named the 4C Spider 33 Stradale Tributo was announced.
Specifications
Body and chassis
4C carbon frame
4C interior
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 aluminum subframes front and rear. The carbon fiber tub is produced by TTA (Tecno Tessile Adler) in Airola, as a joint venture between Adler Plastic and Lavorazione Materiali Compositi. The carbon fiber components that make up the chassis are cut using CNC technology.
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 940 kg (2,070 lb). 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 Molding Compound) which is 20% lighter than steel. The stability is comparable to steel and better than aluminum.
The 4C employs double wishbone suspensions at the front and MacPherson struts at the rear. The resultant weight distribution is 38% on the front and 62% on the rear axle. 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. Both wheel options come equipped with Pirelli P Zero tires. The 4C uses vented disc brakes on all wheels; Brembo 305 millimeters (12.0 in) on the front and 292 millimeters (11.5 in) on the rear. The car can stop from 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph) in 36 meters. To save weight and increase steering feel, the 4C has no power steering. Its center of gravity height, at 40 centimeters (16 in) off the ground, is 7 centimeters (2.8 in) lower than that of the Lotus Elise.
Powertrain and performance
4 cylinder 1750 TBi (direct injection turbo)
The 4C uses a new all-aluminum 1.75 L (1,742 cc) inline 4 cylinder turbocharged engine 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 liters per 100 kilometers (42 mpg‑imp; 35 mpg‑US). 0–62 mph (0–100 km/h) acceleration is achieved in 4.5 seconds (slightly higher for the North American version due to its increased weight compared to the European counterpart) and the top speed is 258 kilometers per hour (160 mph), the power-to-weight-ratio being just 0.267 hp/kg (8.22 lb/hp). 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.
Italian car magazine Quattroruote published the lap time of 4C around Nürburgring. It lapped the ring in 8:04.
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. In addition to the modes already seen in Giulietta, the 4C has a new "Race" mode.