Take a closer look at the Italian sports car, the 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C. All photos courtesy of Alfa Romeo.
Updated: August 21, 2014, 12:00 AM
In pictures: Alfa Romeo 4C
From this the rest of the car is underpinned and, with lightweight composite body panels, that tiny engine, a compact twin-clutch DSG transmission, aluminium roof sections and sub-frames, and glass that’s 10 per cent thinner than that normally used in car production, it all adds up to not much at all.
With a foot on the brake pedal and a twist of the key, the engine barks into life without much in the way of audible drama. Yet, from the outside, it’s not a dissimilar timbre to that of a flat-plane crank V8, as found in various Ferraris.
The 4C will accelerate from rest to 100kph in just 4.5 seconds, on to a top end of 258 – which is more than enough for almost any given situation.
Steering is non-assisted, meaning the arms get a workout, especially at low speeds. The transmission is very quick shifting. The brakes are full of bite.
The 4C proves beyond any doubt the benefits of lightweight construction with a power-to-weight ratio that puts it among history’s true greats.