There is something delightfully impractical about Italian sports cars. They seem to sacrifice any pretense of driver and passenger comfort for the overall thrill of intoxicating design and performance. And there is no Italian manufacturer that embodies raw style over practicality more than Alfa Romeo. The debut of the simply named but exotic 4C, their pocket pasta rocket, also coincides with the return of the legendary marque to the American market after a generation’s hiatus. That means it’s time for Alfa enthusiasts to celebrate anew. Sure, its seemingly reasonable under-$60k base price can easily swell to the mid-$70s with options like “radio” and “tires”. Nonetheless, it may be time to reallocate some profits from the ongoing bull market in order to put your assets into the 4C’s form fitting bucket seats.
An attractively visible reinforced carbon fiber tub is designed to meet U.S. crash test standards but only boosts the imported 4C to a still-featherweight 2500 pounds because of the almost total lack of metal bodywork. The heavily turbo charged engine with an eyebrow-raising 21.8 psi pumping into the tiny 1.7 liter block kicks out 238 horsepower for an impressive 10.4 power to weight ratio. Put another way, this slinky pocket-sized supercar will go 0-60 in 4.3 seconds and can be cranked up to a top speed of 158. Which is bound to feel pretty fast in something only slightly bigger than a Gucci loafer.
Predictably for an Alfa, the 4C has plusses and minuses galore and it shows a definite split personality in terms of design attributes. With a laudable nod to purists, the car is equipped with a throwback fully manual steering rack that, while a bit of a handful in an urban environment, is sheer driving joy on any kind of twisty open road. It’s like going back in time to the golden age of roadsters. Likewise, the brake set up is super tactile in a less-is-more kind of way, making for almost balletic throttle to brake interplay. And the 4C is also classical in its mid engine layout, leading to exceptional balance and confident rotation through corners, a real driver’s car in terms of agility and unity with the road. And what gearhead wouldn’t love the over the top symphony of Latinate exhaust noises upon throttle application and gear shifts, not to mention the head turning only-from-Italy good looks?
But, as has been mentioned in nearly every review of the car, Alfa’s parent, Fiat Chrysler, has inexplicably declined to offer the 4C with a manual transmission, which borders on a criminal omission.
Worse yet, while you get paddle shifters standard, they happen to control the ubiquitous Dodge Dart’s 6-speed automatic transmission, about as mushy as it gets, especially in full auto mode. Even for the “fair” price, one would expect something better and crisper like the awesome automatic tranny in the 4C’s obvious competitor, the Porsche Cayman. And really, like any true Alfa Romeo, this model screams out for a stick & clutch option any way you slice it.
Other niggles are the extra-low dimensions — if you’re a big fella or have had a knee surgery or two, entering and exiting the cockpit may be more awkward than an exercise in cool. And theb there’s the ridiculously tiny boot, which can just about fit a toothbrush and a slim volume of short stories. And if you’re looking for front cargo space, forget it — the bonnet’s bolted shut at the factory for aero performance. Lastly, the steering wheel seems like it has been grafted on from a Fiat Punto after the bottom’s been smashed flat — not a really pleasant handle for such a hands on sports car.
But again, we’re talking about the King of the Impractical Italian Carmakers, King Alfa-Romeo. To own one is to discover the joys of quirkiness as well as the thrills of pure, elemental performance and unduplicated style; the constant compromise between beautiful Italian craftsmanship and bewildering Italian caprice. Can you get a comparable and, dare I say it, more user-friendly sports car for the buck with a Cayman or a Corvette Stingray? Sure you can. But what kind of welcome back would that be for Alfa Romeo when they’ve gone and built you such a sexy little heartbreaker? And did I mention there’s a soft top Spider version in the pipeline?
Go ahead and try to resist that.
Click here for Car and Driver’s comprehensive review.
And here is an enjoyable /Drive video review showing just how fun the 4C can be to put through its paces: