34 replies to this topic

[Alastair]

I was in the local garage looking at a Jeep Wrangler for the wife (she hated it thank god), anyway - whilst there it was pointed out that Alfa have a test drive initiative on the Alfa 4c at the moment. I am now booked in for an 1 hour test drive with a "professional driving coach" this weekend with a friend. Might be worth checking your local Alfa dealer if you fancy a drive in a 4c. I did sit in one whilst there and the windscreen was very close to my face (I am 6"4), so I don't expect to have a comfortable drive,

[Jason]

Excellent thanks for sharing Alastair, have put my name down for a test.

[rob999]

Saw one on the A1 yesterday going northbound. Certainly has road presence...

[Wolfstone]

There were two at the Earls Barton Classic Car and Bike show last Wednesday. And two BMW Z1s.

[SteveA]

I'm sure I remember Graeme Lambert slating them and saying if you were expecting it to be as good as a VX you will be disappointed.

[Stevie Dubyah]

... but it's absolutely gorgeous .... apart from the lights.

[jackturbostage4]

It's as good as a Vxt .

[Wolfstone]

They've now changed the lights.

[Stevie Dubyah]

They've now changed the lights.

 

... and the price...

[mbes2]

Didn't someone bring & track it at the last national @snett... wasn't very quick but god it looked very sexy.

[scw02102]

I really like them There was one on track at snett didn't look great but to be fair if I was driving a brand new £50k+ car I would be taking it easy too

[AlfaAversion]

Putting an air con condenser in one at the moment have been quite surprised by how little problems they've had for hand built car compared to say the giulietta . PDId a spider the other day for the weekend event , they certainly took a good look at an Elise for the top . The wrangler tends to leak in the rain , curing it can be a nightmare

[Graeme Lambert]

I'm sure I remember Graeme Lambert slating them and saying if you were expecting it to be as good as a VX you will be disappointed.

 

I did, and sadly for Alfa my review was merely the tip of the iceberg in terms of media response.

 

It's a car that has potential, crying out for geo and suspension tweaks/upgrades. Power delivery very old school too (boosty, a bit like a VXT)

[Alastair]

I drove the Alfa 4C this weekend - a lovely car. No squeaks and rattles, I quite enjoyed driving it in the auto box mode.. but wasn't so keen when driving it hard on the paddle shifts. I gave it a pretty good ragging, the guy with me was a race driver, paid to do events like this so he was keen for me to really push it to explore the boundaries. However, inside it didn't feel like a 50k car, quite plasticy. I also found there to be some lag when burying the throttle in the lower gears. There was quite a bit of understeer, although the back stepped out to correct this when I put some more throttle on it. It felt quite compliant and controllable on over steer. The brakes where also much better than those on the VX! I don't think it was as fast as my stg2 SC - it might have been at higher speeds when the extra gear counts - although seeing as it was quieter and not as close to the ground it was probably pretty similar in speed, just without the sensation that I am used to. If I had £50k to buy a car I am sure it would go elsewhere... although maybe when these are £25k, and with a remap I might be tempted. The 4C I drove had a sports exhaust / tyres and suspension, and it would have to have those extras fitted. The noise was great for a new car.

[AlfaAversion]

Ah was your vx parked outside reception then , they were moaning this morning that they didn't sell any lol Coffee machine was a bit naff I thought

[davidp]

I test drove one after reading this thread recently and have to say I was smitten  ! love t,o try one on the track,Duel clutch gearbox was lovely much better than the smg in my e 46 m3,a simple remap will take the 4c into stage 3 territory,Bring on depreciation as I want one!

[techieboy]

SMG was remarkably sh!t though and no wonder they binned it off for M-DCT.

[siztenboots]

there is one on the french frolic, had a good look , seemed a big difference in corner speed.

[hairy]

Tempted?

 

https://www.centralu...bi_2dr_tct.html

[JG]

I saw that earlier on. If I didn't already have two 2 seaters, I'd have done it. It must be a mistake.