2015 Alfa Romeo 4C - A Modern Marvel of Performance and Elegance

The Alfa 4C is a brand new model from Alfa Romeo, which has recently been reintroduced to the U.S. through select Fiat and Maserati dealerships. The 4C is a small, lightweight 2-seat sports car with an emphasis on driver involvement and sharp handling. Despite the cars throwback nature, it is a thoroughly modern sports car, utilizing plenty of exotic materials and construction techniques, all aimed at making the 4C fun and fast to drive.

The 4C starts at a base price of $68,400, where it will compete with sports cars like the Porsche Cayman, and the Chevrolet Corvette. Rather than try to outmuscle their competitors, Alfa Romeo have instead opted for an approach centered on finesse and beauty, which the 4C serves up in spades. With its ultra-lightweight carbon fiber monocoque construction, the 4C is amongst the lightest cars sold in the United States. The upshot is that despite a relatively modest power output, the 4C is still plenty fast in a straight line.

The 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C is powered by a 1.8L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, which is mounted behind the driver and passenger, in the tradition of the best Italian sports cars. The engine is capable of producing 237 horsepower and 258 foot-pounds of torque. While that may seem rather modest for a sports car of this caliber, Alfa Romeo claims that the 4C is still capable 0-60 times in about four and a half seconds, with a top speed of 160 mph. The only transmission available is a dual-clutch unit with paddle shifters.

Stunning looks, amazing handling, powerful turbocharged engine, light-weight construction

The 4C utilizes various exotic construction techniques, including a structure composed of carbon fiber and aluminum as well as composite body panels. The engine, already physically smaller than the ones used in most of its competitors, is also an all-aluminum design and as a result, the car's total weight is kept down to about 2000 lbs.

While the 4C's light weight keeps straight line performance figures competitive, it also pays huge dividends in other areas. With so little weight over the front tires, Alfa has chosen not to fit the 4C with power steering, meaning that the car offers better feedback and more steering feel than just about anything on the road these days. It should also be relatively fuel efficient when compared to its competitors.

The 4C is sold in two basic trims, the Launch edition and the standard 4C. Though the 4C tends to eschew luxury features in its quest to keep weight down, there are limits to this philosophy and the standard 4C still comes equipped with powered windows and mirrors, air conditioning, a 7-inch thin-film transistor instrument cluster with a lateral acceleration G-meter and a 4-speaker sound system with USB and audio input jacks.

2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Prices

TRIM

Starting MSRP

2015 Alfa Romeo 4C 2-Door Convertible Spider

$63,900

2015 Alfa Romeo 4C 2-Door Coupe

$53,900

2015 Alfa Romeo 4C 2-Door Coupe Launch Edition

$68,400

Launch Edition 4C's include bi-xenon headlights, a slightly altered front fascia, a carbon fiber spoiler, carbon fiber and leather interior accents, bigger wheels, leather seating and a commemorative plaque.

There are several option packages available on the 4C. A Convenience Package adds cruise control, an alarm and parking sensors, while a Leather Package includes leather seating and contrasting stitching. The Track Package consists of some reworked suspension, bigger wheels, and track oriented seats.