Alfa Romeo 4C |
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Wikipedia: Alfa Romeo 4C
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History
The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Alfa Romeo 4C page on 26 July 2016, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
The Alfa Romeo 4C (Type 960) is a small, lightweight, rear wheel drive sports car. Available in coupé and spider bodystyles, it uses a carbon fiber tub, front and rear crash box, and hybrid rear frame mainly out of aluminium to keep its weight at 895 kilograms (1,973 lb) and 1,050 kilograms (2,315 lb) in the United States. The 4C is the first mass-produced Alfa Romeo car to re-enter into the United States market.
Alfa Romeo 4C Concept (2011)
Alfa Romeo 4C Concept is a two-seater, rear-wheel drive coupé with technology and materials derived from the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, with 1750 turbo petrol engine with direct injection, the "Alfa TCT" twin dry clutch transmission, and the Alfa DNA dynamic control selector.
The 4C concept version unveiled in the 81st Geneva Motor Show in March 2011, followed by Mille Miglia 2011 parade, Goodwood Festival of Speed 2011, 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.
It was displayed for the first time outside in Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in 2012. Compared to the production version, it is very similar, with the biggest differences being front lights, side vents and mirrors.
4C Launch Edition
The 4C Launch Edition was a limited and numbered edition, unveiled at the vehicle's launch at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The vehicle came in a choice of four paint colours (Rosso Alfa, Rosso Competizione tri-coat, Madreperla White tri-coat or Carrara White matt). 400 examples were reserved for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, 500 for North America and 100 for the rest of the world (88 delivered to Australia—in Rosso Alfa and Madreperla White only). Distinguishing features of the Launch Edition were carbon fiber trim (including headlight housings, spoiler and door mirror caps), rear aluminium extractor with dark finishing, Bi-LED headlights, dark painted 18-inch front and 19-inch rear alloy wheels, additional air intakes on the front fascia, red brake calipers, racing exhaust system, BMC air cleaner, specific calibration for shock absorbers and rear anti-roll bar, leather/fabric sports seats with parts in Alcantara and a numbered plaque. Alfa Red coloured cars got matching red stitching on the steering wheel, handbrake, mats, handles and sports seats.
In Europe the vehicle went on sale for 60,000 euros including VAT.
North American version
The US version of 4C was introduced in 2014 New York International Auto Show and the first 100 4C's will be shipped to the U.S. by late June or early July, with a total of 850 to be shipped by the end of this year. The US model includes extra bracing and strengthening required to meet U.S. crash regulations (including aluminium inserts in the carbon fiber chassis), resulting in 100 kilograms (220 lb) of weight increase. This version has also new headlamps similar to those seen before in the 4C Spider version.
Alfa Romeo 4C Spider
The Spider version of the 4C was previewed showing a pre-production prototype at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. Sharing its engine with the Coupé version, the 4C Spider has different external parts such as the headlights, exhaust and engine hood, as well as a different roof section that features a removable roof panel. Alfa admits it has had to make some strengthening tweaks to the 4C to cope with the removal of the top, with the net result being a 45 kg (99 lb) weight increase (dry weight 940 kg). In the US, the weight difference is listed at only 22 lb (10 kg), however (2,465 lbs: 2,487 lbs). Top speed is quoted at 257 km/h (160 mph) and acceleration at 4,5 seconds to 100 km/h (62 mph). Novelty to 4C range is an option of yellow colour for Spider.
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2013 Geneva International Motor Show Photo ©2013 Norbert Aepli, Switzerland This photograph is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license. View photo of Alfa Romeo 4C at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show - 4.5MB |
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2013 Geneva International Motor Show Photo ©2013 Norbert Aepli, Switzerland This photograph is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license. View photo of Alfa Romeo 4C at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show - 4.2MB |
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2013 Geneva International Motor Show Photo ©2013 Norbert Aepli, Switzerland This photograph is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license. View photo of Alfa Romeo 4C at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show - 3.9MB |
| Date | Article | Author/Source |
|---|---|---|
| 27 December 2012 | 2013 Alfa Romeo 4C  | Matt Hubbard, Speedmonkey |
| 13 February 2013 | Alfa Romeo 4C - Specs, UK price and pictures | Matt Hubbard, Speedmonkey |
| 14 June 2013 | New Alfa 4C | Geoff Maxted, DriveWrite Automotive |
| 21 June 2013 | The Alfa Romeo 4C is massively wide | Matt Hubbard, Speedmonkey |
| 5 September 2013 | Alfa Romeo 4C Is A Masterpiece, Say FIAT | Geoff Maxted, DriveWrite Automotive |
| 8 November 2013 | Alfa 4C vs Lotus Elise S - How The Stats Compare | Matt Hubbard, Speedmonkey |
| 4 March 2014 | 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider | Matt Hubbard, Speedmonkey |
| 3 June 2014 | Alfa Romeo 4C Review | Colin Hubbard |
