Alfa Romeo

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Future Alfa Romeo 8C Could Get 800hp Hybrid Powertrain

Rumours have been circulating this week surrounding Alfa Romeo and the possible revival of the Alfa Romeo 8C. The badge was last used on Alfa Romeo’s 2 seater, front-engine supercar more than a decade ago, it looks set to return in 2021. The news is nothing new as in June earlier this year, it was widely reported that the late Sergio Marchionne had given the green light to the project as part of the company’s future product strategy.

Marchionne’s vision for the company was to offer two ‘specialty’ sector cars, a new Alfa Romeo 8C and a larger, Coupe style GTV. The latest set of rumours emanate from Car Magazine’s cover story which allegedly dishes the dirt on the development of the project.

The 2021 Alfa Romeo 8C will almost certainly be a two seater with a mid-mounted engine. It will be based around a carbon monocoque with the familiar 2.9 litre twin-turbocharged V6 providing power together with an electronic motor. The drivetrain is expected to be shared by the long-delayed Maserati Alfieri. Car Magazine suggest that the 600 hp petrol drive train and 150 Kw electric motor could generate power of around 800 hp.

The design team are said to be targeting a sub-three second 100 km/h sprint with a special E-boost system to achieve those figures. The 8C will undoubtedly receive four wheel drive with technical systems such as torque vectoring and advanced traction control.

The 2021 Alfa Romeo 8C will almost certainly be a limited production model, the last 8C was available with 500 coupes and 500 convertibles. Alfa Romeo will probably expect to sell more this time around, expect no more than 1,000 copies to become available.

The Alfa Romeo 8C makes sense for Fiat Chrysler these days. With Ferrari generating a huge amount of revenue for the group and with access to the legendary Italian company’s expertise, it shouldn’t prove too difficult to manufacture an ‘entry level’ supercar for Alfa Romeo. Hopefully it doesn’t end up like the Alfa Romeo 4C.

Our above renders were carried out by Yung Presciutti. The Car Magazine article linked above also includes some pretty interesting renders which combine elements of the Alfa Romeo 4C with the Ferrari 488 and LaFerrari!

August 9, 2018 / Comments Off

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Alfa Romeo Mole 001 Coupe

You don’t need to own a country club to own the Alfa Romeo 001 Coupe, but you probably have to be a member of one. And who wouldn’t want to be if you got to show this beauty off?

The Alfa Romeo is the new friend to the group, the one your girlfriend tells you not to worry about. Why? Because with this model, Alfa have emerged into the mid-engine 4C coupe scene in stylish fashion. The two-seater is beautiful and Italian, a combination to envy. Alfa Romeo have indirectly paired up with Mole Automotive to get this car to where it is now – not just a looker but a performer too.

The finalized car oozes dramatic dynamism. Its retooled and fresh body embraces an acerbic fiber carbon film that wraps around a 4C high-performing engine. Ultimately providing a shaken-not-stirred martini of aesthetics and speed. As common within the work of Mole Automotive, this project was a sole custom redesign. Nevertheless, the finished result is so exceptional that even Alfa Romeo’s designers may just look up from their drawing boards too.

CHECK IT OUT

July 23, 2018 / Comments Off

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Alfa Romeo 4C

“An Extraordinary, Unfiltered Driving Experience”

The aforementioned is Alfa Romeo’s catchline for the 4C; it’s definitely accurate in hindsight, but could be misleading beforehand. To truly get it, you would have to drive the car first.

The Alfa Romeo 4C is arguably the marque’s most important car in decades and is a notable amalgamation of the company’s values – building affordable cars with an outspoken spirit and unique philosophy. This means that Alfa Romeo has engineered the 4C (available as a Coupe or Spider) to deliver uncompromised performance while pricing it at a level that many people can afford.

Alfa Romeo 4C

Working in tandem to achieve this goal, are its compact 237-horsepower turbocharged engine and – thanks in huge part to its use of a carbon fiber tub chassis – its ridiculously low 925 kg curb weight (1,118 kg in the US due to extra bracing required to meet crash regulations).

This provides drivers with the sensation of supercar characteristics, particularly at the limit. However, that’s about where the similarities end when pitted against the standards of a modern supercar. Afterall, it starts at just $57,495 USD, so we should accommodate the notion that the 4C will have its limits and has to make sacrifices somewhere.

Engine & Transmission

The transverse 1.7L turbocharged powerplant packs quite a punch, especially when measured by the horsepower per liter. Producing 237-horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque @ 2,200 rpm, the engine delivers a robust 139-horsepower per liter.

Due to the 4C’s low curb weight and thoughtful aerodynamics, it is able to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds and achieve a top speed of 160 mph. The low-end torque ensures that the car doesn’t have to be driven in a high-strung manner in order to pass traffic during the daily commute, or attempt an overtake on the race track.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission; unfortunately, a manual transmission is not an available option, which would have seemed like an obvious thing to have. However, the DCT offers both precision and convenience, while being complemented by the Alfa DNA Pro Drive Mode Selector which allows the driver to set up the car for different uses.

Chassis Design & Interior

Now found across the Italian marque’s entire line-up, the Alfa DNA Pro Drive Mode Selector allows for four different driving modes in the 4C – Natural, All Weather, Dynamic and Race.

The latter two modes allow for greater throttle response from the engine and transmission, with Race mode also turning off all electronic driving aids. Natural mode is the standard for regular street driving with its more conservative settings, while All Weather mode is considerate of inclement weather conditions such as rain and snow.

Brembo brakes come standard with the car, and offer plenty of bites and very analog feedback. They work well with the entirely unassisted steering, providing the chassis with an unadulterated, electronic-less driving feel. Arguably this is the best feature about the car, should this be your cup of tea.

The car’s lightness (only 925 kg, or 1,118 kg in the US), rigidity, low center of gravity, suspension, and aerodynamics all work together in a harmony to provide a rewarding experience for drivers who both appreciate, and have the skill to drive at the limit. With that in mind, the rawness that is required for tactile, spirited driving precludes a sense of comfort and refinement; and this is felt especially during daily driving.

The cramped cabin is full of exhaust notes and engine noises – after all, the 4C is about saving weight, so sound deadening and creature comforts play second fiddle to keeping on the diet.

To save not just weight – but also money – the interior is decidedly basic, with primarily plastic pieces – as opposed to carbon fiber – making up the majority of the space.

Space for anything other than two people is also at a premium in this two-seater, and anything more than a carry-on won’t be joining you for the trip.

Verdict

The Alfa Romeo 4C is an unfiltered, track-focused car that intends to emulate supercar driving characteristics and evoke the sensations of racing enthusiasts. It actually does this very well but doesn’t bring up many positive talking points beyond that.

Buyers who are looking for a well-rounded sports car – one that offers performance without sacrificing refinement, or vetoing any and all practicality – need to look elsewhere.

If sophistication isn’t your emphasis, but track performance capability is, then the Alfa Romeo 4C could be a good pick. Besides finding a used Lotus Exige, there isn’t anywhere else you can go to get this unique of a combination of chassis, engine, and design, at this price.

Specifications And Performance Summary

Pricing And Model Info

Make	Alfa Romeo
Model	4C
Generation	2013 – Present
Car type	Coupe / Targa
Category	Series Production Car
Built At	Modena, Italy
Base Price (USD)	$57,495

Chassis And Powertrain

Curb Weight	925 kg, 1,118 kg* (2,039 lbs, 2,465 lbs) US model
Layout	Mid-engine
Driven wheels	Rear-wheel drive
Engine	Inline 4
Aspiration	Turbocharged
Displacement	1.7 Litres
Transmission	6-speed DCT

Engine Output

Power	237 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Power / litre	139 hp / litre
Power-to-weight ratio	8.6 lb / hp
Torque	258 lb-ft @ 2,200 rpm

Performance

0-60 mph	4.1 seconds
0-100 mph	11.1 seconds
¼ mile	12.9 seconds @ 107 mph
Top Speed	160 mph (258 km/h)

Photo Gallery

Video Reviews

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June 22, 2018 / Comments Off

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Alfa Romeo 8C to be Resurrected as 700hp+ Super Coupe

Alfa Romeo is set for some considerable rebranding in the years leading up 2022. Sergio Marchionne set out his vision for the Italian brand on Friday with a market move upmarket one of the key takeaways from his presentation.

The photos below show Marchionne’s vision for the company. Most notable is a move out of the B segment which is currently occupied by the MiTo city car. While the Guiletta will remain, it will be supplemented by a C UV, no doubt to compete with Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and Audi at the lower levels.

At the higher levels, Alfa Romeo will retain the recently released Giulia and Stelvio models with planned releases of PHEV drivetrains, higher levels of connectivity and autonomous driving. Both will gain long-wheelbase versions to satisfy the Chinese market.

Looking higher up the model range, Alfa Romeo also plans an E segment SUV, likely to rival the Maserati Kubang and Jaguar F-PACE as well as their German rivals.

The juicy information was in the news that two models will return to the Alfa Romeo range. Alfa Romeo has, historically, excelled at performance cars and in particular, on the race track. In recent years it has dabbled with cars inspired by its golden years. The 8C is a particular highlight with the 4C also notable.

The presentation slides reveal that the Alfa Romeo 8C will be resurrected in time for 2022. The slides reveal it will use a carbon fibre monocoque with a twin-turbocharged mid-engine hybrid unit pushing out figures in the 700 hp range. A predicted sub-3 second 100 km/h time should make it extremely interesting.

The 8C will be joined by a similarly performance oriented GTV model. The GTV was a product of the mid-90’s, a front engined, rear wheel drive coupe and convertible. It should come equipment with more than 600 bhp, E-Boost technology, all-wheel drive torque vectoring, a 50/50 weight distribution and room for four.

In the whole, Alfa Romeo will be phasing out diesel engines from its range. By 2022 it will launch a range of mild hybrids, hybrids and plug-in hybrids shared across the Fiat Chrysler Group. It should offer an electrified version of every model by then with six PHEV’s.

June 3, 2018 / Comments Off

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Alfa Romeo at the Geneva Motor Show 2018

There was nothing new for Alfa Romeo at the Geneva Motor Show 2018 this year. Instead, we saw a set of NRING special editions which pay tribute to both the Giulia and Stelvio’s Nurburgring lap records. We took a closer look at what the special edition models get you!

Alfa Romeo at the Geneva Motor Show 2018

Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio NRING

Both the Stelvio and Giulia NRING editions are based on the Quadrifoglio versions of their respective models. Both cars feature Circuito Grey paintwork, with carbon detailing on the grille and door mirrors, black wheels and standard-fit carbon ceramic brakes.

Inside, both cars get carbon-shelled Sparco sports seats with red contrast stitching. There is plenty of carbon, a numbered build plaque and a leather/Alcantara steering wheel. Alfa Romeo will also offer a Harmon Kardon audio system to complete the package.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio NRING

As a reminder, the Quadrifoglio versions of both cars feature a 2.9 litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine with 510 hp and 600 Nm of torque. The power allowed the Giulia to lap the Nurburgring Nordschliefe in just 7 minutes 32 seconds while the Stelvio managed 7 minutes 51.7 seconds.

March 11, 2018 / Comments Off

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Alfa Romeo 4C Convertible To Compete With Porsche 911

The Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe is still at least a year away from production. The upcoming 4C will debut on the market as a mid-engine bruiser with a 0-60 sprint of around 4.5 seconds and curb weight of under 2,000 pounds, making it a contender to Porsche 911 buyers.

Alfa Romeo handed over early development and then brought in-house, Dallara, the company behind carbon fiber components found in the Alfa Romeo 8C, Bugatti Veyron and the KTM X-Bow.

Now, rumor has it that the Italian automaker could be stepping up the competition to Porsche with a drophead version of the 4C.

If the rumor is true, we won’t see the 4C convertible until 2014 at the earliest.

August 14, 2012 / Comments Off

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Alfa Romeo 4C Concept Design by MPcardesign

Independent Italian automotive designer, Marco Procaccini – MPcardesign, has designed a new concept based on the Alfa Romeo 4C. The sports coupe concept has emerged with the name Alfa Carlo Chiti after the famed Italian engine and racing car designer Carlo Chiti, who revolutionized the motorsports division at Alfa Romeo. The Alpha Carlo Chiti boasts rear-wheel drive and a front-engine layout and measurements of 4050mm long, 1830mm wide and 1250mm tall. The sleek styling can be seen in the video and images below.

June 9, 2012 / Comments Off

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