Tag Archives: modena

The production version of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider has been unveiled in Detroit at the North American Auto Show. Still featuring a carbon fibre body, three times stronger and seven times lighter than steel, the windscreen frame is also made from the same material. Very little structural work needed to be done to strengthen the chassis to compensate for the loss of the roof. In the US version, the difference in weight between open and closed versions is just 10 kg. New for the open top version is an optional titanium exhaust system with switchable modes to give more or less noise as required, depending on your mood. Standard and racing exhaust systems are also on offer. US versions also get the option of a premium audio system from Alpine, but quite frankly, it’s superfluous in the 4C. Forget the radio and just listen to the engine. A new exterior colour (yellow) is available which should complement the shape …

Alfa Romeo chose Mondello Park to launch three new models this week. The reason for the venue chosen is that one of these cars is very, very special. We’ve been waiting a long time for the arrival of the 4C, a car that has tantalised us at various motor shows seemingly for years. With styling robbed from the exotic 8C Competizione, the 4C could be described as the ultimate modern sportscar, with its emphasis on performance through light weight. With a kerb weight of only 895 kg, it’s lighter than most superminis. How did they achieve that? By building it from carbon fibre, the first time this material has been used in a car anywhere near this price point. Some may lament that the 4C isn’t powered by a sonorous V6, but to keep weight down, a 1750cc turbo four cylinder is used instead. Producing 240 bhp, it’s an engine with a very high specific output and it’s mated as …