Alfa Romeo will be returning to the United States market after 20 years with their brand new two-seater coupe, the 4C.
The toned-down version of the 8C will be coming to Chrysler-Fiat dealerships in 2015, for those that do not know Alfa Romeo is owned by the Italian side of the married companies. The 4C will be mostly brought to Fiat dealerships in the country and a few Maserati dealerships.
Unfortunately no 4C’s would be brought to Massachusetts, the closest dealership would be in Fairfield County’s Stamford, Connecticut. But here are a few reasons why you should make the drive out there and buy one.
For the price the 4C is an absolutely gorgeous vehicle. This will be the only Italian two seater sports car that is within the price range of an everyday consumer. The car in the United States starts at $53,900, hundreds of thousands of dollars less than a Ferrari and less than half the cost of a Maserati.
However, this affordable price comes at a bit of a cost. The 4C has is a 1.7L turbocharged 4 cylinder engine instead of a V6 or a V8. Yet, the engine manages to crank out 237 horses and 258 lb-ft of torque and un-muffled the popping turbo sounds resembles the 911 of the 70s.
With a weight of only 2,464 lbs, thanks to its light carbon-fiber body, carbon-fiber everything really, the weight to power utterly great. The US spec car is 92 lbs heavier though, than the European version, for crash regulations and extra airbags.
Estimated by Motor Trend the 4C can sprint to 60 mph in a swift 4.1 seconds, 12.7 seconds for the quarter mile at 106.7 mph, and stopping from 60 mph took only 97 feet.
The 4C took me away when I first saw it, did I mention that it’s gorgeous already? Personally the car looks like a blend of a Cayman with an Koenigsegg Agera and with a tail end that resembles a BMW Z4 coupe. This, in my book is a good thing. With the looks of a 2 million dollar car and the performance that resembles a refined Lotus Elise the Alfa Romeo tucks in very nicely within that $60,000 price range.
Chrylser-Fiat have decided to begin the first year of the 4C’s sale with a Launch Edition that would bring only 500 vehicles to North America. The Launch Edition would basically be a 4C with all the options added and a few plaques stating that it is a Launch Edition. So the car will be around the $70,000 range. However the car will be stacked to the rim. CarandDriver reviewed a similar version and it will include the convenience package with cruise control, an upgraded sound system, and a rear parking assist (which is good because the 4C has an extremely tiny rear windshield).
Also included is a track package (featuring stiffer dampers, fatter anti-roll bars, deckled spoiler), a leather package, Xenon headlamps, 19″ wheels, red break calipers, and removing the muffler (to hear the full roar and pops of the engine).
While the car is not quite as good as a Porsche Cayman, not many things are, the Alfa Romeo is something that is both unique and beautiful. It’s another car that is styled by Italians and the 4C is the beginning of many more good things to come from Alfa. The 4C will definitely turn some heads if you get one, and with a starting price of $53,900 it won’t break the bank either.