Alfa Romeo 4C Details Announced

Carbon-fiber was chosen for the one-piece monocoque due its high levels of structural rigidity and exceptionally low weight – just 65kg – and is built using sophisticated Formula 1-derived technologies, evolved especially for Alfa Romeo. SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound), which is lighter than both steel and aluminium, is used for the bodywork while even the thickness of the glass has been slimmed down by 15% to help reduce the Alfa Romeo 4C’s overall weight.

Less than 4m in length and with a wheelbase of 2.38m, the Alfa Romeo 4C’s compact shape accentuates its remarkable agility: With a dry weight of 895kg and a 40:60 front-to-rear weight distribution, the Alfa Romeo 4C is capable of generating 1.1g of lateral acceleration and in excess of 1.2g of deceleration force.

To optimize handling, its double-wishbone front suspension is secured directly to the monocoque while the rear uses a performance-tuned MacPherson arrangement. The brakes, engineered with track use in mind, employ a patented aluminium/cast iron hybrid construction complete with ventilated, cross-drilled 305mm/292mm discs (F/R) clamped by Brembo® calipers. 17-inch front and 18-inch rear alloy wheels are standard, while 18/19-inch wheels with Alfa Romeo’s signature five-hole design are optional.

Power comes courtesy of a new four-cylinder turbo engine which, thanks to its aluminium block, is 22kg lighter than the engine that powers the Alfa Giulietta Cloverleaf. Turbo-charged and with direct injection, this new1750 Turbo Petrol unit sets new torque and specific power records for this size of engine, at over 200Nm- and 137 bhp-per-litre respectively. Its maximum power output is 240 bhp at 6,000 rpm while its maximum torque output is 350Nm (258 lb ft.), available between 2,100 and 4,000 rpm. To underline the flexible nature of this new engine, 80% of its torque is available from just 1800 rpm.

Accelerating from 0-62 mph takes just 4.5 seconds in the new Alfa Romeo 4C and top speed is 160 mph, but this supercar performance isn’t at the expense of the environment. Due to its light weight and advanced engine and transmission technologies, the emissions of the Alfa Romeo 4C fall well within the strict limits of Euro 6. Its official combined-cycle fuel economy figure is 41.5 mpg and its CO2 emissions are just 157g/km.

Inside the Alfa Romeo 4C, the exposed carbon-fiber chassis and driver-oriented controls leave you in no doubt as the purposeful nature of the car. In place of traditional dials, a multi-function TFT digital display occupies the instrument panel and the steering wheel is a bespoke, flat-bottomed, two-spoke item with integrated gear-shifter paddles. The remaining controls are grouped together on the tunnel console, including the button-operated ALFA TCT transmission selector and the Alfa D.N.A. system selector, which alters the operational parameters of the engine, transmission, ESC and Electronic Q2 differential depending on the driver’s requirements. Composite bucket seats and aluminium pedals complete the minimalistic, drive-focused cabin.

The Alfa Romeo 4C offers high levels of customization including six exterior body colours; three pastel (Black, White and Alfa Red), one metallic (Basalt Grey) and two three-layer metallic finishes (Madreperla White and Competizione Red). There are four different coloured brake calipers available and well as four different upholstery options.

Take a closer look at the Alfa Romeo 4C in our gallery.

Credits: Oneshift News Team