Alfa Romeo has unveiled a concept study for a compact and affordable "supercar” called 4C Concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The car is a two-seater, rear-wheel drive coupe with a mid-mounted engine that could find its way into production as early as 2012. According to the Italian car maker, the 4C represents “the true essence of a sports car, according to the brand values: performance, Italian style and technical excellence aimed at maximum driving pleasure in total safety.”
As the name suggests, the car is supposed to be a smaller version of the 8C Competizione, which is also true in the case of the design, as the 4C looks very similar to Alfa's supercar. The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept has a length of approximately 4 meters and a wheelbase of less than 2.4 meters. These dimensions emphasize the compact size of the car and also accentuate its agility, Alfa says.
Not only does the 4C resemble the 8C, it also uses some technology and materials derived from the Ferrari-powered supercar, such as carbon fiber, aluminium and the rear-wheel drive system. However, the small coupe doesn't get a V8 engine but a more modest 1.75-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol borrowed from the Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde. This engine develops 200 horsepower and is mated to a twin dry clutch transmission dubbed “Alfa TCT”.
If you think 200 ponies is a little tame for a sports car, Alfa points out that the 4C has been engineered to weigh less than 850 kilograms (1,874 lbs) for a power to weight ratio of around 4 kg/hp, an impressive figure made possible by the extensive use of carbon. The body is made completely of carbon fiber, while the rear frame structure and the crash boxes use aluminium extensively.
The reduced weight has a crucial contribution in obtaining performance figures worthy of a sports car, with the 4C reaching a top speed of 250 km/h (155mph) and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 5 seconds.
Alfa also also claims that the suspension ensures "maximum agility and road handling.” Add the weight distribution (40% on the front, 60% on the rear) to the equation and you have the most interesting Alfa Rome in years.
By Dan Mihalascu
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14 Comments:
The next Dino? Yes, please.
Looks great. I will be pleased to be able to buy one
Looks like Alfa's version of a Lotus Elise. Very strange color to showcase this concept.
Nice specs, ugly design. It's nice to see Alfa though returning at last to compact sports cars
very nice, but with all that carbon it sure aint gonna be cheap!
Another home run by Alfa (which we can't get in the States, of course.) Kudos to them and a few other forward-thinking manufacturers that are pushing the incredibly simple concept of light weight = better performance/economy. Colin Chapman would be proud.
Love the design. Wishing it might cost a fraction of the the 8C.
Isn't it a KTM X-Bow with new clothes and changed engine?
Take a little bit of Alfa, a little bit of Ferrari, mix well with some Lotus, cover it with liquid rubber and voilà, you got a Alfa 4C.
that steering wheel is giving me an erection! love the whole thing, with strap pulleys for the doors and everything else. if it will cost about 55k as I read I'm buying one as soon as it hits US shores
Alfa is finding the way! Great!
Take a Toyota MR2, give it a fugly "Lotus Elise-inspired" design, an ancient engine that's about to be retired and what do you get? An Alfa 4C.
KILL IT WITH FIRE.
Failed gimmicky design with weird proportions.
This design would have suited Nissan, not Alfa Romeo!.
UGLY!!!
Looks like a japanese wannabe....what happend with Brera/159 sharp and sexy designs?
MiTo & Gulietta have same ugly front ends and generic design clues...
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