When buying a vehicle there are many factors to consider depending on your needs. If you are looking for a normal family car for example, you probably don’t care that the car has a naturally aspirated V8 engine, or carbon fiber parts. However for those looking for a sports car or supercar, those details are important. When purchasing a sports car or supercar, you probably are looking for a high-performing vehicle that allows you to make a mockery of other cars on the road. Unfortunately for many supercars are unattainable due to their high price tags, until now. Come and meet the Alfa Romeo 4C.
Alfa Romeo is a name that is probably not as familiar with Americans as it should be, largely because their vehicles have not been available in the United States for many years. Luckily that has changed. Alfa Romeo is an automobile company that formed in Milan in 1910. Just one year after the company formed, they were taking part in motor racing. Since the beginning Alfa Romeo has always been known for its racing vehicles whether they have been used in Formula One racing or Grand Prix racing. The company secured many wins early on, which helped them make a name for themselves. Outside of their racing vehicles, the cars they produce for the general public have almost always been small sport cars, performance hatchbacks, coupes, and other similar vehicles. Many racing drivers preferred Alfa’s as their road vehicles. Their cars have always known to be fun and entertaining. They might not be the highest performing vehicles, but they will leave you with a smile on your face. Unfortunately they are also know to have maintenance issues and are notorious fixer-uppers. These Italian cars have always been popular in Europe, and now we are seeing their vehicles travel across the ocean as Alfa Romeo will start selling their 4C here, and it is a spectacular car.
The Alfa Romeo 4C was first introduced in 2013 and it marked one of the first major production cars to be offered in the United States. The 4C is a super small, super lightweight, rear wheel drive mid-engine sports car. Immediately we find the company checking off all the right marks for a solid performing vehicle. The car measure out to be only 13 feet long and under 7 feet at its widest point (including the mirrors), and it manages to weigh around 1,970 pounds. The car also looks absolutely terrific. For a vehicle that costs $54,000 dollars it looks like a car that would cost double that. People who do not know what this car is will probably think its a car comparable to a Ferrari or Lamborghini based on appearances; it just looks like a supercar. Alfa really hit the ball out of the park here with the design of the 4C.
Outside of appearances, the car can perform pretty well given what it is. The 4C is powered by a 1.75 liter turbocharged inline-four engine that delivers 237 horsepower and 258 pounds-feet of torque. The vehicle also has a six-speed, twin-clutch transmission that combined with its rear-wheel drive makes it an absolute joy to drive. While there certainly are more powerful engines out there, this car is so light and small that it is plenty powerful. 0-60 miles per hour can be achieved in just 4.1 seconds and it has a top-speed of around 160 miles per hour. But this car is more than just that. This isn’t a muscle car made to go fast in a straight line, this car was designed to go fast around corners and on windy roads; its a track-bred car at heart. You also find many features that make it more like a supercar such as a carbon-fiber chassis, launch-control, various driving modes like “Race” and “Performance”, and more. Since it is just such a small 2-seater vehicle, you really get an amazing ride here.
So at the end of the day Alfa Romeo delivers an absolutely fantastic automobile. This isn’t a car to pick your children up in, or get the groceries, think of it as more a toy. You drive this car because it makes you feel good. Honestly it is pretty inconvenient outside of driving as the interior is tiny, and there is no luggage space, but that is to be expected. As soon as you drive this car, all of that fades away as the 4C offers an incredible driving experience that will please even the purists. Yes, there are cars out there that go much fast, but remember this vehicle only costs $54,000 dollars. When you drive it, you forget that price tag as the car certainly feels like a budget supercar, and the best one at that.
Photos from Alfa Romeo
