Alfaise / Alfora 4c - Competitor?

[Snoopy1969]

.....that does not matter......because the garage should be filled with an Evora already....so no need to think of an Alfa .....;-)

[TBD]

Wider, less power, Italian build quality? Just one question comes to mind, WHY?

[Vulcan Grey]

Following on from Top Gears review last week, I've just checked and the 4c is 10 inches wider than an Evora, that's only 2 inches thinner than a standard UK garage door! 

 

That's with mirrors included.  Without mirrors, the 4C is ~3mm narrower than an Esprit.

[Stirling_Villeneuve]

About the same as an Evora without the mirrors, about 14" shorter though, I'm curious what the 4C looks like in the carbon.

[Bibs]

It's about the same as a human hair without the body, chassis and engine. The mirrors are there though, it'll be a nightmare to get in and out of the garage.

[mayevora]

[Stirling_Villeneuve]

Is that queue outside the workshop? 

[auRouge]

Harris didn't rate it to drive as much as Hamster. Harris knows technical but TG understand emotion and fun... Divided opinions :-) like that, the car has character :-D

Love Italian cars, it's going to be difficult to resist even if it isn't amazing to drive. I love it's slightly quirky stubby stance. Love the fact it's light and has character that's already dividing opinion.

The best corner I've ever taken was in an Alfa Sprint... That had the Sud chassis, a good handling Alfa is almost as good as anything (apart from a Lotus!)

Tempting tempting tempting!!!

[auRouge]

Wider, less power, Italian build quality? Just one question comes to mind, WHY?

Italian build quality... I've had a few and modern Italian cars are no worse then anything else that was built outside Japan and Germany! My old Abarth was actually quite solid and had impressive quality when it came to leather seats etc, better than my wife's old BMW seats and interior materials. Given the volume they sell these days even the Italians are paying close attention to build quality... A launch specialist car so maybe it will be a nightmare but let's see...

Less power... Ringing it out using all the grip is fun isn't it? With our speed limits in the UK and rocket fuel expensive petrol smaller torquey engines work quite well. I'm sure they will make a faster one for those who need it :-)

Why... It WILL occasionally throw a tantrum and coerce you in many ways because it's built buy people with emotion and flair, not just by numbers and science. It's an Alfa Romeo, that's why!

P.S probably not a good idea if you like Audi integrity!

Edited February 26, 2014 by auRouge

[Vulcan Grey]

It's about the same as a human hair without the body, chassis and engine. The mirrors are there though, it'll be a nightmare to get in and out of the garage.

 

Very true!  The Esprit mirrors are the same width as the widest point of the body, so in that case the 4C really is nearly a foot wider!

[Snoopy1969]

well once in the Garage - how do yo climb out - using the sunroof of the Alfa? (oooh does it have one?)

[softlips]

They are extremely cramped inside, I've sat in them at Frankfurt and Geneva last year - I may be wrong but inside it felt narrower than an Elise which is strange given how big the exterior is.

[TBD]

well once in the Garage - how do yo climb out - using the sunroof of the Alfa? (oooh does it have one?)

Rear view mirrors are highly overrated!

 

“Never look back unless you are planning to go that way.” - Henry David Thoreau

Edited February 27, 2014 by TBD

[Stirling_Villeneuve]

Amazing.... here's the new Alfa Elise! 

 

http://www.TOPGEAR.com/uk/car-news/alfa-4c-spier-2014-03-03

[Trevsked]

The Evora would be better proportioned given the same treatment. Not an unattractive car though.

 

Trevor.

[TBD]

Now it realy looks like an Elise with an Alfa-badge. 

[NedaSay]

is  it me or Alfa has decided to give the 4c spyder new headlights, the headlights on the 4C coupe were my big "no,no" with the car...

 

Anyway this is a cheap shot at the Elise. Lotus do something! Bring the car back over here or relax the import rules that dictates that no US Elise can make it on the Canadian used car market! ASAP.

 

Wait it has a supposedly super rigid carbon tub so why and how did the car gain 60kg. The windscreen frame and carbon fiber roll hoop would weigh 60kg!?

 

 

Well considering the Elise is lighter and is only 20bhp down on power and has a trunk people can use for a weekend bag. Elise still wins or it would if it was sold on my freakin shores Lotus! You know 'Murica'!!!!!

Edited March 4, 2014 by NedaSay

[Bibs]

Much better headlights

 

[auRouge]

http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/alfa-4c-spier-2014-03-03

Take a close look at that three quarter rear shot of the car..It's off the scale stunning. Alfa back to its true best form, love it.

[Stirling_Villeneuve]

It's nice but a big porky! I much prefer the Elise/Exige/Evora that obviously have been a big influence. I'll reserve judgement until I see it in showroom but it looks short and wide, a little stumpy in fact! 

[auRouge]

Yeah it's a bit stumpy but the styling is so damn good I can forgive it.

So the 4C has all the ingredients to be a cracking sports car for the next generation.

It's a modern twist of going back to basics with money spent in all the right areas... Yes the interior appears from TG test a bit of a disappointment but the modern downsizing in engine combined with a decent transmission and exotic chassis...

In many ways this is a hugely frustrating car because is all they've done is what Lotus has always been about..

It's copying all the best bits of an Elise and adding to them by choosing a better transmission and modern engine. They have access to parts from the Fiat group and designers from Ferrari & Maserati.

I think I really want one of these. Carbon Fibre Chassis, flappy paddle, modern efficient engine and an Alfa badge! Come on Lotus, it's time to make something new.

[pete]

http://www.nationalheadlines.co.uk/chris-evans-reviews-alfa-romeo-4c-the-seats-are-agonising-it-clunks-and-judders-its-more-nora-batty-than-kylie-minogue-but-im-in-love-and-it-hurts/113165/

[softlips]

http://www.nationalheadlines.co.uk/chris-evans-reviews-alfa-romeo-4c-the-seats-are-agonising-it-clunks-and-judders-its-more-nora-batty-than-kylie-minogue-but-im-in-love-and-it-hurts/113165/

He should have tried driving the Evora he bought!

[Stirling_Villeneuve]

In many ways this is a hugely frustrating car because is all they've done is what Lotus has always been about..

 

Yep, that's the really annoying thing! It'll be sad to see how many sales Lotus lose to the 4C, but it's inevitable. 

Edited March 5, 2014 by Stirling_Villeneuve

[Bibs]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGwawx4zaMg

 

He's not to big to take a bucket and sponge along...