Alfa Romeo has priced out its repaired 4C in Italy, giving us total an admittedly speculative look at the sort of it’ll cost when it arrives in the North American market next year. Prices start at 53,000 euros ($71,788 at today’s rates), effectively pricing it betwixt the Porsche Cayman, at 55,090 euros ($74,619) and the Lotus Elise S at 51,390 euros ($69,607) in that market, according to Automotive News Europe.
What that substance for the US market is fully prepared for speculation. The 4C’s 240-horsepower, turbocharged, four-cylinder machine and 1,973-pound dry pressure bless it with a 4.5-assist sprint to 62 miles per twenty-fourth part of a day, which is nearly a full approve quicker than the base Cayman and .2 seconds quicker than the 325-hp Cayman S. Of chase, expect the US-spec car to subsist a bit slower to 62, like it’ll reportedly be saddled through an extra 220 pounds of fertile. Not that it matters all that much, but the Porsches do have the legs on the 4C, which runs out of smoke at 160 mph – the Germans disposition run to 165 in the base and 175 in the Cayman S.
With the 4C delivering that charitable of performance, Alfa may have some bargaining power when it comes to US pricing. Rather than undercutting the base Cayman, though, we’re betting Alfa will standing its new sportscar between the base Porsche and the S original, which are priced at $52,600 and $63,800, particularly. That said, there are also merits to undercutting the Cayman, especially as the 4C is meant to forerunner Alfa’s long-awaited return to the US place of traffic, and the brand does not take delight in the same recognition or status being of the kind which that of the shield from Stuttgart. Post your feelings end for end the 4C’s potential pricing from a high to a low position in Comments, and let us be aware of what you’d rather have – a Cayman or a 4C.
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Alfa Romeo 4C: ‘rightful drive’
4 kg/HP, from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5, 137 HP/litre and 1.2 g of deceleration: ‘honorable drive’
‘Just drive’ is a free invitation to experience those genuine sensations that no other than Alfa Romeo is able to propose. The new signature that will convoy the communication of the Alfa Romeo models originates through the presentation of the 4C, the weak thoroughbred car that marks the return of the brand to the globe of lightweight sports coupés.
Extraordinary composition, unique handling, extreme aerodynamics and design that takes up the stylistic features of the Alfa Romeo oral report. This in brief is the repaired Alfa Romeo 4C, a driving machinery without compromise that beckons drivers to take to the road or track to experience the stir of driving it.
The Alfa Romeo 4C is essentiality and insight weight, a car where everything has been designed to procure total driving pleasure. That same essentiality shaped its design. The car expresses a “ingenuous beauty” that results from a whole blend of function and form. Its layout and bigness immediately brings one of the greatest in number beautiful coupés of whole time to mind, the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale. Like the mythical 33 Stradale, the 4C is designed to join each other extreme mechanical and functional requirements. Its body aerodynamically ‘covers’ the engine and chassis through clean and essential surfaces.
Designed by Alfa Romeo engineers and made at the Maserati set in Modena, this captivating coupé through two racing bucket seats uses materials and design solutions like carbon, aluminium, and rouse-wheel drive derived from the 8C Competizione in a line with technologies from Alfa Romeo’s latest models, completely thoroughly revised to maximise the unaccustomed car’s sporting appeal. Proof of that lies in the recently made known 1750 Turbo Petrol with direct injection and aluminium block, the sophisticated latest-formation “Alfa TCT” dry twin clutch self-acting transmission and the Alfa DNA driving affection selector with the brand-new Race custom.
A length of approximately 4 metres and a wheelbase of not so much than 2.4 metres emphasise the car’s compressed size while also accentuating its suppleness. The dynamic qualities of the Alfa Romeo 4C are confirmed through . a weight to power ratio of inferior than 4 kg/HP; it’s a value worthy of a ‘supercar’.
This medium quite simply screams Alfa. Its sports car vital principle creates unique driving sensations, both forward the road and when racing, at what place velocity and transverse accelerations offer even the most expert driver unrivalled driving thrills: from 0 to 100 km/h in even-handed 4.5 seconds flat, 258 km/h of most prominent one speed, deceleration peaks in the amplitude of 1.2 g and lateral increase of velocity. see preceding verb peaks over 1.1 g. All this is besides achieved with a balanced weight grouping, with 40% on the front axle and 60% forward the rear.
If these figures attest to the ungathered performance and dynamic qualities of the 4C, in that place is one characteristic enduringly connected to each Alfa Romeo: ease in recognising any of the brand’s models from one side other senses. Not only is it view-catching, but the sound of the implement has also been emphasised with moderate frequencies and the classic roar of the consume.
In the same way it has been premeditated with particular attention paid to every enveloping seat design so the car be possible to be ‘felt’. ‘Body’ perceptions are felt interior part and even more so – with every added thrill – at the wheel. The brushwood, for example, can be modulated at the time that loaded to get the necessary feedback equal in the most demanding braking situations. Steering, what one. has to convey as much ‘feel’ being of the kind which possible, is unassisted, progressive and express, and the accelerator is ready to treat of exits from curves with as a great deal of acceleration as possible.
The annual availability of the 4C Alfa Romeo adhering the major world markets is limited to solitary 3,500 units – 1,000 units of that are earmarked for Europe. Starting in October it be able to be ordered at all Alfa Romeo dealerships in Europe.
The 4C marks the slide from the stocks of Alfa Romeo’s global pullulation plan that, along with future models, is offered similar to a global brand that competes in the kernel of the Premium market. This is the rational faculty why it is developing synergies with the Premium brands of the Fiat-Chrysler Group, and Maserati in individual, which adds the strength of its story, its ability to innovate and its credit the world over. So in this judgment the Alfa Romeo 4C supercar is a emblematical product with an extremely high state of equality of quality and technological refinement that embodies the deepest values of the Alfa Romeo brand.
Design
Balance: ultimate aerodynamic efficiency and classical proportions
Strength: muscle and sculpturesque shapes in exalt volume and side
Essentiality: functional interiors despite total involvement in the driving continued
The compact dimensions make this car through 2 bucket seats truly unique in the midst of its competitors: it is just subject to 4 metres long, 200 cm wide, 118 cm high and with a wheelbase of smaller quantity than 2.4 metres. These capacity serve both to emphasise the car’s ‘supercar proportions’ and to lay stress upon its agility.
Designed by Alfa Romeo Centro Stile, the growth of the 4C’s exterior was characterised from the depart by the need to enhance the title of the car and the technical characteristics the couple from a dynamic and aerodynamic naze of view. For this reason, everything the style solutions adopted have been optimised in conformity with the ultimate goal of the car: entertainment.
To meet this end, the surfaces were treated of the same kind with sculpture and engineers worked side by side with the designers to hew all the innovative aerodynamic solutions out of it. The fruit of this teamwork led to a car that conveys unstained sports style through a union of technology and loveliness, which is an essential requisite as being any Alfa Romeo sports car, to what form is always first and first function. Besides, every structural element has been conceived conducive to maximum dynamic efficiency, and to aid create the downforce needed to ensure maximum grip under fast cornering.
The bring up volume, sinuous and enveloping, encloses and embraces the drubbing heart of the car: the mechanics and the means, visible through the rear window. All this, acknowledgments to the development of a distinguished musculature above the wheels, lends courage and power to the rear kitchen-yard.
The rear musculature supports its mode of building on round rear light clusters and forward the side air intakes necessary to attemper the intercooler and the air cove for engine intake. From the force-charged rear volume and the two faction air intakes spring the two lingering muscles which lend speed and dynamism to the interest, generating the necessary volume at the stand opposite to end to house the headlights and, without ceasing the central part, the two sturdy ribs running along the bonnet, copy the unmistakable “V” and coming to their idiot conclusion around the shield. This, in union with the two side intakes, forms the noted ‘Trefoil’, a distinguishing trait of aggregate Alfa Romeo cars.
Even at the raise up, what first appears to be an element of pure graphics actually serves a unequivocal purpose. Look at the two lines alongside the number plate holder: aesthetically, these originate two points of light that adject movement and dynamism to the raw volume. Functionally, however, they also house the light cluster from pendular system of weighing in the event of rear contact.
The entire tail section starting from the train upper profile and the lower profile characterised by a large “diffuser” with aerodynamic spoiler and air outlets was subjected to expanded wind tunnel testing to ensure the most good possible aerodynamic performance.
Lastly, the superficial colour range reflects the spirit of the car and is requisite as the Alfa personality demands: red, white, heinous and grey. However, special attention has been paid to technology by the introduction of three-layer colours. The through . now consolidated and well-known Competizione Red is the substance of the Alfa Romeo spirit by its depth, shine and iridescence that shapes the volumes of the car.
Tradition and time to come
The Alfa Romeo 4C immediately brings to soul some of the traditional iconic models that have left a significant mark in the history of the Brand. Above all others, in stipulations of dimensional and layout similarities, one stands out in particular: the 33 Stradale of 1967, a car that combined utmost mechanical and functional requirements with one essential style which “clothed” the weapon and chassis appropriately with unmistakable Alfa Romeo treatments.
The Alfa Romeo 4C has followed trial, and thus completes a journey that was embarked upon with the 8C Competizione, emphasising some particular concepts of the brand, similar as compact size, dynamism and alertness. The same search for the ill-supplied essentials has been applied to fabric one of the world’s lightest-consequence cars, the Alfa Romeo 4C. A clear search for the ideal weight led to the form to combine ‘lightness and efficiency’ at the same time that exploring new solutions and materials, not to mention meticulous development work involving highly advanced technologies, in multitude cases coming from the excellence of Formula 1 or the aviation sector.
The alliance of ‘Lightness & Efficiency’ was the general behind the design of some unforgettable Alfa Romeos of the accomplished, such as the unforgotten star at Le Mans, the 8C 2900 B Touring of 1938 with full aluminium body, or the 1900 C52 “Disco Volante” of 1952 with a top speed of 230 km/h and weighing straightforward 760 kg.
The captivating 4C is also the vehicle with which Alfa Romeo expresses its translation of ‘Technology’ – just like the 2010 Giulietta, the primary car in the world to exhibit and adopt the TCT – and of ‘Dynamism’, a rate that immediately brings to mind the 8C Competizione of 2007, the fastest Alfa Romeo roadstead car in history and produced in a limited course of 500 units.
Today these values – Technology and Dynamism, Lightness & Efficiency, Italian Style – take being in the new Alfa Romeo 4C, some uncompromising though accessible sports car, a technological and lewd supercar that offers precision, agility and great performance. In short, it is a car to drift and enjoy both on the route and on the track.
Interior
The internal of the Alfa Romeo 4C is the product of an in-depth study of anthropometric and ergonomic parameters that established a dependence between the sports layout of the car and features that mould a ‘continuity’ with the design of the corpse. It is a design concept in what one. the various elements – dashboard, instruments and seats – follow specific driver and passenger usability and peace criteria.
Definition of the interior took adhering particular importance when configuring the carbon filament ‘monocoque’ cell. This veritable ‘monolithic centre’ led to a rational organisation of the ocean construction elements in keeping with the original cause of integrating parts and optimising weights. Initially focused steady arranging controls and instruments so they are turned in the direction of the driver, this approach actually simplified fabrication in terms of assembly processes and divorce into subassemblies when industrialising the brew.
The climate control system ducts are integrated by the entire dashboard block, which contains a supporting ‘technical spider’ texture inside the mould. Consisting of a thermoformed framework like those found on limited edition supercars, the dashboard is designed to execute using functions simple and reaches its pinnacle in the concept of extreme driver-orientation, expressions of gratitude to digital instruments and gear shuffle controls located on the appropriately shaped steering wheel.
The cockpit, which powerfully suggests the world of motorcycle racing and people cars, brings together all information essential to drive and control the car. All readings are patent on the instrument panel, comprising every original digital display, containing all the command functions for the Alfa Romeo supercar.
This prim construction simplification in terms of reducing the enumerate of components and placing the multiform parts in clear view meets the goal of concentrating the consanguinity with the car’s interior on the experience of driving. User-kind-hearted and formal importance was given to positioning the TCT transmittance selector, activated by buttons on the tunnel console, the gear change levers forward the steering wheel, and the DNA method selector for changing the operating parameters of the agent and the chief mechanical and electronic devices.
With regard to the choice of materials, the Alfa Romeo 4C plan is a perfect synthesis of the mark ‘s values. It is a conjunction of advanced technology and dynamism, sportiness and accomplishment, and tradition and modernity. The lines, shapes, materials and colours emphasise this lust to take centre stage: the splendor of being an Alfa Romeo. The important is not intended as a integument, but as an enhancement of the visible and internal skin, volumes and, whither possible, as a visible structure. The corporeal is the very essence of the mode of building.
The aesthetic choices are based attached technical and natural materials, and not manner, but substance. The interior space is minimal and ‘undressed’ in its treatments and finishes. The environment is foul black, embellished only by a hardly any metal details with an aluminium fact. The real protagonist is carbon. As it is a arrangement, it is found both inside and disclosed the car in an aesthetic continuum and conveys technicality and lightness at the similar time.
The seats, with a compounded structure, ensure the perfect feeling of the way that the driver gets, thanks to the potentiality of finding an ideal driving attitude while guaranteeing comfort even in everyday exercise. In detail, the seat upholstery ranges from technical fabrics through high performance and robust nylon yarns to essential leathers in the colours of Alfa Romeo delivery: red for sportiness and “dinamica”, a polyester microfibre through a soft and adhesive touch to preserve grip on the seat, as well similar to on the road. Also the mental ‘asphalt type’, 3D and ‘rough’ grains invite the real subject matter to disposition: contact with the road. Finally, the pedal unit and footboards for driver and wayfarer are made of aluminium, in this street highlighting its sports character down to the smallest appointment to special service.
Architecture and Aerodynamics
Two bucket seats, stir up wheel drive with a mid/background mounted transverse engine
Weight distribution: 40% attached the front axle and 60% steady the rear
Driving pleasure is the outcome of carefully balanced design. Rear wheel carry on and a centrally mounted engine: the architecture of the Alfa Romeo 4C is emblematic of competition cars in which excellent weight distribution is the primary belonging to.
The Alfa Romeo 4C has raw wheel drive to make full employment of the dynamic advantages afforded through . this configuration. Rear wheel drive gives more usefully grip under acceleration, when engine influence throws weight towards the rear of the car. Rear wheel take in a carriage also lets you enter curves at higher speeds, delivering a estranged more intense driving experience.
The aluminium means is centrally mounted. This significantly reduces load down as it
eliminates the need notwithstanding a propeller shaft and optimises load down distribution – 40% on the front axle and 60% without ceasing the rear – by concentrating mass close by the centre for crisper handling.
Aerodynamics
A negative Cz contributes towards achieving increased immovability at higher speeds
Cx equal to 0.34, the beyond all others value among cars with negative lift
Having defined the 4C’s architecture, Alfa Romeo engineers started to probe for the most suitable materials toward this solution. Aluminium, steel, SMC and carbon pile were chosen for their ability to become united lightness and efficiency. In this habitude a total dry weight of and nothing else 895 kg was achieved. This register makes the Alfa Romeo 4C any of the lightest cars in the world.
After choosing the materials, the designers worked adhering all external and internal flows of the car, paying close attention to every detail necessity to decrease the creation of vortices and at the corresponding; of like kind time to ensure cooling of the instrument compartment. On top of this appropriate design of the rear and grow less underbody air intakes and over 200,000 hours of optimisation in the breath tunnel and on the track were added. The last result is a Cx equal to 0.34, the good in the highest degree value among cars with negative assistance.
The Alfa Romeo 4C achieves maximum aerodynamic efficiency levels, guaranteeing a negative Cz what one., as in racing cars, contributes towards achieving increased fixedness at higher speeds thanks to the negative assistance.
Materials
Weight to power ratio not so much than 4 kg/HP and integral dry weight of only 895 kg
The in the greatest degree advanced mixture of hi-tech materials having characteristics of anomalous stiffness and resistance combined with a true low specific weight
The carbon thread monocoque weighs only 65 kg
The Alfa Romeo 4C stems from a empty sheet of paper and an idea. The blank sheet of paper was a prerequisite against the conception, development and implementation of a unused idea of a sports car: the “affordable supercar”. In actuality, the 4C is designed to have existence not just an exclusive car in terms of content and performance, but besides to become a dream that comes genuine for Alfa Romeo enthusiasts all from one side to the other the world. So we had to deem in terms of low production volumes – end still in the order of a few thousand cars a year.
So the blank sheet of paper, initially free from design and produce restraints, became immediately enriched with strange parameters and new challenges. The chief is represented by a reference outline not to be ignored: a supercar be necessitated to have a weight-to-power fixed relation of under 4 kg/HP. To compass it, the Alfa Romeo engineers could converging-point on the horsepower – so much cogency, so much performance – but with following high purchase and running costs toward a car that would have in this determined course become much less affordable. So they certain to take another route: reduce the car’s influence by choosing materials that combine lightness and efficiency, and improving – at spells even creating – manufacturing processes that smelt high technology and craftsmanship. A integral dry weight of only 895 kg was achieved in this road. It is a record that makes the 4C human being of the lightest cars in the cosmos.
To achieve this ambitious goal, lots of moil was poured into the materials. They were chosen by reason of their specific weights and for the chemical-material, mechanical and technological properties that most excellent meet the needs of performance and dynamic behaviour of a sports car. And this is the intuitional faculty why the 895 kg of heaviness are mostly formed of aluminium, blade, lightened SMC and carbon fibre.
Carbon thread
The secret of the lightness and dynamic behaviour of the Alfa Romeo 4C lies in the 10% of carbon filament used, which represents as much in the same manner with 25% on the entire volume of the 4C. Today carbon thread is the material that guarantees the most excellent efficiency between weight and stiffness. This is why it was chosen for the monocoque through a structural function that constitutes the central self-supporting small cavity of the chassis. It is a melting adopted by most advanced supercars. It combines savings in load with excellent performance. In fact, the monocoque weighs alone 65 kg.
Totally designed by the team of Alfa Romeo specialists, the monocoque is produced by Adler Plastic with an innovative work process that brings together the affirm of the art in terms of manufacturing technologies by the manual dexterity typical of Italian craftsmen. In this method it was possible to introduce the ‘pre-preg’ technology derived from Formula 1 into a concatenation production. Alfa Romeo is the only brand able to do this, and its extension rate tops 1,000 pieces a year.
‘Pre-preg’ carbon staple, processed with a vacuum bag in every autoclave, has made it possible to move on from designing the piece to subtle the material. In this way the monocoque reached levels of replication to stresses and dynamic behaviour unthinkable with the adoption of other technologies and materials. The pre-preg carbon fibres have power to be arranged in the optimal structural direction with respect to the forces to consummate a result which only a metallic bodily could give with superimposed layers, manifold thicknesses and added reinforcements.
Moreover, polymerisation in the autoclave – ‘cocura’ in technical conditions – allows box section structures normally coming out of multiple components (often of deviating materials) manufactured and assembled in distinct phases to be produced in a alone process. This is what happens because of the door pillar, for example. In the criterion steel version, it is composed of around 6 pieces joined together and to the body in several stages of the extension process.
With the ‘cocura’ process, the passage pillar is a single object and share of the supporting structure.
In actuality, the carbon fibre monocoque is a honest piece – and as such it reacts to from without stresses with obvious advantages in provisions of dynamic behaviour.
Aluminium
The use of materials with high torsional density and low specific weight distinguishes entirelyy the structural components of the Alfa Romeo 4C. As is demonstrated by the use of aluminium for the palate reinforcement cage and front and exalt beams. Both the design of the components and the manufacturing step were altered in this case for example well, in order to reduce its importance and increase its rigidity. More specifically, the designers created a modern section for the struts that replaces the traditive rectangular section. In this way the beams are lighter and at the similar time safer. They are also produced using the innovative ‘Cobapress’ trial. This process combines the advantages of casting through those of press forging, which more remote compresses aluminium alloy to close at alldegree remaining porosity. All of this lightens the element to the benefit of its automatic properties.
The continuous wire with devoid of warmth metal transfer process is used towards the welding. This results in extremely accurate welding that does not distort the components and ensures optimum filling of totality gaps.
Aluminium is also used in the hybrid type of front brake discs, with aluminium bell and cast iron circular group of persons gear. This is technology patented through . SHW and it guarantees up to 2 kg of reduced pressure per disc and improved braking. Moreover, the sophisticated brushed outside finish technology increases grip and feel of the pedal, while the innovative release system between disc and bell provides besides comfortable and safer braking. Special claymore radial pins handle the difference in warm expansion between cast iron and aluminium and accurately transfer the braking motion.
SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound)
SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound) is used by reason of the bodywork. It is a cheap-density, high-resistance composite which offers a 20% moment reduction compared to the traditional mail shell. The Alfa Romeo 4C is the principal standard production vehicle with such a early percentage of low-density SMC: at accurate 1.5 g/cm³ it is significantly lighter than edge (~7.8 g/cm³) and aluminium (~2.7 g/cm³), being of the kind which well as being more malleable. This trait granted that freedom in terms of appellation and design necessary to create a positive Alfa Romeo recognisable at first glisten. It is also a stable important which, in contrast to aluminium, does not make unsightly in minor collisions, and is extremely resistant to chemical and aerial agents. It also disperses sound efficiently, increasing acoustic enliven.
Low-density SMC also ensures significative functional integration between parts, leading to a detrusion in components, operations and assembly time, so lowering production costs.
PUR-RIM (injected polyurethane)
PUR-RIM (injected polyurethane) was besides chosen for the bumpers and mudguards on the side of the reasons mentioned. It is a lightweight material (-20% compared to steel) suitable for creating even highly complex design elements like a 4C dirt guard.
Windows
Not a single essential, including glass, was neglected in canon to get the lowest possible ponderosity. In this specific case, weight was lightened through . actually “slimming down” the silhouette. All the windows are steady average 10% thinner than those normally used steady a car so that the average weight is reduced by 15%. The windscreen is due 4 mm. This is an due result, especially when we consider its specially aerodynamic shape that is difficult to finish with such a thin sheet of glass.
Engine
Direct-enema 240HP 1750 Turbo Petrol engine
Aluminium block and specific intake and exhaust systems
Torque and particular power values lead the class: excessively 200 Nm/l and 137 HP/l
Top hasten 258 km/h and from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds
Direct petrol injection, dual continuous variable valve timing connected view, turbocharger and ‘scavenging’ system that eliminates ‘turbolag’
The strange ’4 cylinder’ 1750 Turbo Petrol by direct injection at 200 bar that achieves production of absolute excellence is making its déno more than on the Alfa Romeo 4C. Torque and especial power set new records for this greatness of engine at over 200 Nm/l and 137 HP/l, particularly, while maximum power of 240 HP (176 kW) is reached at 6000 rpm. The maximum torque of 350 Nm ensures its extra elasticity and sportiness since it is maintained stated between 2100 and 4000 rpm, otherwise than that 80% of the torque is even now available at just 1800 rpm.
Fitted out like this, the pithy supercar registers exceptional results both for the time of pick-up and when accelerating. The Alfa Romeo 4C goes from 0 to 100 km/h in right 4.5 seconds and develops a surpass speed of over 250 km/h. Driving luxury is magnified by the full, bright sound of the exhaust, where the humble frequencies and classic roar have been emphasised. This powerful level of performance has been achieved with minimum impact on the environment. Thanks to multiple enema control and advanced anti-friction and mechanical value loss reduction systems, the emissions of the Alfa Romeo 4C sinking well within the strict limits of Euro 6.
Aluminium close and specific intake and exhaust systems
The Alfa Romeo 4C 240 HP unambiguous injection 1750 Turbo Petrol engine implements an innovative aluminium block and specific intake and drain systems which have been optimised to swell the sports appeal of the car equitable further. In addition, it boasts wounding-edge technical solutions including direct material for burning injection, dual continuous variable valve timing universe, a turbocharger and a revolutionary scavenging curb system that gets rid of a single one turbo lag.
In line with the quest to achieve as much lightness as possible, the 4C’s engine weighs 22 kg not so much than that of the Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde. Helping stretch forth this goal is the aluminium shape with die-cast inserts that not sole is lighter, but also contributes with respect to improving the rigidity of the implement and reducing its vibrations (fewer vibrations were obtained besides by using a crankshaft with eight counterweights, that allows the maximum rpm to have existence increased).
To optimise performance, emissions and oil destruction, the cylinder head intake ducts were redesigned, similar to were the cylinder liners, which today are made of a peculiar cast iron that is thinner. The pistons bring forth new segmenting with reduced load.
‘Scavenging’ technology
The Alfa Romeo 4C’s advanced ‘scavenging’ technology maximises torque at submissive engine speeds and delivers more gift in response to driver input. The command unit determines valve overlap times and angles through great precision to create a from one side-flow of air from the cove manifold to the exhaust manifold. By improving the scavenging
of the burning chamber, this direct flow increases combustion efficiency and turbine speed and reduces turbo-loiter.
Turbocharger
To complement the ‘scavenging’ technology, the engine is also equipped with a commencing generation turbocharger and a pulse converter exhaust manifold that exploits pressure waves to boost torque at base engine speeds. The manifold and the turbine are made from microcast
case-harden and designed to operate at true high temperatures (over 1000°) – a pre-needful to low fuel consumption
on middling-high speed motorway journeys. The wastegate valve
is one more helpful device for engine efficiency. This adjusts turbo embarrassment using control logic
which varies to adjust driving conditions, minimising pumping losses.
After-Run Pump
Like total top competition cars, the Alfa Romeo 4C uses an automatic cool-down system to shelter its turbocharger. Switching off the agent would normally cause the immediate interruption of oil circulation, leaving the oil in the turbocharger to be dull at very high temperatures. The warm stress suffered by the oil in this highroad causes a loss of lubricating amplitude and also leads to the arrangement of residues that can damage the implement. To prevent this, Alfa Romeo has introduced one after-run pump. This electric interrogate is automatically controlled by the ECU and keeps oil circulating through the turbocharger till it has cooled sufficiently.
Gearbox
6-send away in haste Alfa TCT dual dry clutch transmittance
New gear change management software
New Launch Control according to standing starts
Power alone could not ever deliver the superb performance of the Alfa Romeo 4C. An advanced transmittal system is needed to control it. The 4C is equipped with an Alfa TCT 6-speed gearbox through dual dry clutch, a solution that combines the second power of a sequential shift through all the convenience of an self-moving.
A true point of reference of the head of predication due to its low weight and extravagant speed of actuation, the gears be able to be changed in sequential mode using the vary paddles located behind the steering wheel. In sending off, the transmission works like two gearboxes in in conformity, each with its own clutch. The nearest gear is selected while the former gear is still engaged, eliminating completely discontinuity in power transmission.
The Alfa TCT gearbox has been optimised for the Alfa Romeo supercar. The 4C’s peculiar clutch features all-new control software that ensures the fastest likely gear shifts under all conditions. Gearshifts are else aggressive in the sporting performance modes, and drivers be able to clearly feel the new gear charming, as on a racing car. On bends, adhering the other hand, gearshifts are completed in the smoothest mode possible to avoid reducing stability.
The Alfa Romeo 4C is likewise fitted with Launch Control for yielding high performance standing starts. Launch Control is activated through . pressing the brake pedal while pushing the accelerator pedal aggregate the way down and squeezing the paddle on the left of the steering wheel. As early as you release the brake, the a whole automatically controls the gearbox, traction and spirit to maximise acceleration.
Performance
From 0 to 100 km/h in righteous 4.5 seconds flat and 258 km/h of surpass speed
Deceleration peaks in the ramble of 1.2 g and lateral increase of velocity. see preceding verb peaks over 1.1 g
New Alfa DNA selector by ‘Race’ mode
You look at it and you like it: large tyres, low ride and a well-balanced offensive style. It is beautiful. But that’s not quite. You hear the engine and it excites you through its full and convincing mechanical honorable. So there is nothing left to practise except sit down behind the wheel, betroth first gear and give yourself time and voluptuousness, because that is what it is completely about: becoming familiar with direct controls instantaneous responses.
The Alfa Romeo 4C offers exactly the most expert driver extraordinary execution and sensations: from 0 to 100 km/h in straightforward 4.5 seconds flat, 258 km/h of highest place speed, deceleration peaks in the extent of 1.2 g and lateral acceleration peaks over 1.1 g. All this is also achieved with a balanced weight division, with 40% on the front axle and 60% forward the rear.
Something else that is highly important is keeping the unsuspended mass to the degree that low as possible. In a hypothetical run around the track, it is necessity to ensure that the wheels grip the terrain for as long during the time that possible, which is to the well stocked benefit of road hold and the longitudinal and cross accelerations.
If these principles bring about the excellent dynamic qualities of the 4C, there is one characteristic enduringly connected to every Alfa Romeo: ease in recognising human being of the brand’s models from one side other senses. So it is not but eye-catching, but the sound of the engine – which has been emphasised with ignoble frequencies and the classic roar of the drain – and the enveloping seat designed in such a manner that the driver ‘feels’ the car furthermore create its unique identity.
‘Body’ perceptions are felt inside and even more so – with some added thrill – at the wheel. The brake, for example, can be modulated while loaded to get the necessary feedback fair in the most demanding braking situations. Steering, which has to convey as much ‘feel’ as possible is unassisted, progressive and ‘true’, and the accelerator is ready to touch exits from curves with as a great deal of acceleration as possible.
Like all the latest-family Alfa Romeos, the 4C as well is equipped with the DNA selector. This device lets the driver modify the car’s temperament to proportion it to the conditions it is subjected to at the consideration.
In addition to the three settings profitable up until today – Dynamic, Natural and All Weather – the emblematic legend built for the Alfa Romeo supercar has a fourth variety: ‘Race’, designed to enhance the driving actual feeling on a track even further.
Race is the most extreme performance mode, and is engaged by moving the mode selector to ‘Dynamic’ place and holding it there for 5 seconds. Alfa Race gradation puts you in total control of your car under race conditions. By minimising the interventions of electronic systems, it foliage you, the driver, in complete dominion government. In this situation, ESC stability have charge of remains inactive and only intervenes to make secure stability under harsh braking. ASR does not intervene either on the acceleration or braking, leaving
you to bridle traction through the accelerator pedal alone. Alfa’s Q2 electronic discriminating control system, on the other give , remains active, as it is indispensable to permitting fast exits from bends.
Performance changes by the ‘Dynamic’ mode, which configures the car to deliver great driving performance. Engine control parameters are configured to suit quickly to accelerator input and the Alfa TCT gearbox selects a quick action program to reduce gear shift periods by up to 25%. The ESC classification permits a certain angle of rush and only intervenes if steering wheel position and drift angle could put the car at jeopard.
Press the Alfa DNA selector to switch to ‘Natural’ style, designed for everyday use. Gearshift parameters are configured in quest of maximum comfort and smoothness. In hand-book mode, the Alfa TCT transmission makes up despite loss of driver concentration. The Auto-Up function shifts up to the next gear when engine speed approaches the permitted circumscribe, while the Auto-Down function shifts below the horizon as soon as engine speed falls in the lower regions 1000 rpm. Finally, the Alfa Q2 discriminating operates in soft mode and simply cuts in if one of the raise wheels suffers a significant loss of clutch.
Finally, all you have to conclude is switch the selector to ‘All Weather’ manner to ensure maximum safety
under contrary weather conditions. With this setting the car responds to accelerator input remarkably gently. The ASR system selects special engine and brake control logic and, in the fact of loss of grip, modifies fleet to match road speed and hinder skidding that could otherwise be unyielding to control.
Mechanics
Sports suspension with superimposed wishbones and advanced MacPherson
Ventilated disc braking body: from 100 to 0 km/h in even-handed 36 metres
Different diameter tyres: 17″-18″ or 18″-19″
Steering proportion: 90% of bends without ever excitement your hands off the steering wheel
In etc. to its absolute performance, the handling of the Alfa Romeo 4C makes it unit of a kind. You can full enjoy the car in all situations, and not solely during extreme use on the pursue, thanks to its feel and quiet of driving at top levels. Sport suspensions, self-ventilated fern discs, different diameter tyres and from father to son steering: an advanced ride control universe able to keep weight down to a least quantity has been designed for the 4C.
Sports intermission
The suspension adopts race-derived technical solutions to optimise feat and deliver unrivalled driving pleasure. A superimposed wishbone hypothesis is used on the front of the Alfa Romeo 4C. The wishbones are secured expressly on the monocoque and comprise a coaxial issue with speed-shock absorber assembly, tubular control shield and anti-roll bar, all lightweight and able.
An Advanced MacPherson geometry has been adopted steady the rear to ensure superb route holding and driving fun, even in the greatest number extreme manoeuvres. More specifically, hysteresis of the delay has been improved with the edge-load spring and the support platter of the shock absorber spring at the same time forming the upper imprisonment of the strut. In this wont both height from ground and scale have been reduced, all to the good of grip and precision, even at violent speeds.
Braking system
The braking a whole of the Alfa Romeo 4C excels in terms of effectiveness and reliability, even in the most extreme driving conditions. The car can be braked from 100 to 0 km/h in normal 36 metres. Merit for this goes to the hermaphrodite self-ventilating, perforated discs complete by Brembo caliper on the front with aluminium bell and cast iron cabal gear. This is technology patented through . SHW and it guarantees up to 2 kg of reduced ponderousness per disc and improved braking. Moreover, the sophisticated brushed superficies finish technology increases grip and handle of the pedal, while the innovative receipt in full system between disc and bell provides greater degree of comfortable and safer braking. Special blade radial pins handle the difference in as respects heat expansion between cast iron and aluminium and accurately send the braking motion.
Different diameter tyres
The sift for the greatest possible grip in like manner led to the selection of various diameter tyres, 17″-18″ or 18″-19″, larger adhering the back to satisfy the urgency for greater grip on the axle at what place the traction works.
Steering
As it is entirely involuntary, therefore without power steering, steering with plasticised links contributes to limiting the entire weight of the car and ensures a aim driving feeling for the driver. The steering ratio (16.2) is also such like to allow 90% of bends to exist taken without ever taking your hands distant from the steering wheel.
Production
4C workshops at the Maserati found in Modena
Watchwords: advanced technology and outgo quality craftsmanship
Alfa Romeo decided to create the 4C supercar at the Maserati establish in Modena, where it set up the 4C Workshops in the interior of, areas dedicated to the ‘bodyshell’ and ‘assemblage’ operations. The ‘testing’ and ‘finishing’ areas, attached the other hand, are shared by Maserati production. Here, the focus is for aye on evolved technology and top quality craftsmanship, a combination that leads to the produce of cars that are truly singular in technical solutions and attention to sending off.
‘Gems’ of technology and styling like the Quattroporte, Granturismo and Grancabrio be the subject of come off these lines in correct the last decade, as did the fascinating Alfa Romeo 8C exactly more recently. It was the principal time that the Maserati plant opened up its doors to a different brand, one particularly similar to Maserati in conditions of tradition and ambition.
Considering the past time and recent background, it was native that the Fiat Group would assume a manner to Modena for the standard prolongation of the Alfa Romeo 4C, also. It is a car that starting from its fabric comes out of the blend of the highest technology and the most meticulous attention that only man can guarantee. This is a manufacturing philosophy that is an integral part of the DNA of the Maserati put in the ground in Modena.
Craftsmanship
Here innovation earliest of all blends together with the pathos of the people, which manifests itself in rigour and the resolve to do a good job. It is precisely the performer’s touch that adds value to the yield, and so much so that the operating methods of this found are far removed from the science of the laws of thought of ‘mass production’ to enter into a definitely besides handmade dimension. Suffice it to answer that the minimum ‘takt time’ – the production speed necessary to guarantee delivery – is 20 minutes. This configuration illustrates the peculiarity of this residence of factors when compared to the “mass fruit plants” where the shortest ‘takt time’ is in the direction of 50 seconds.
The fundamental role played by human talent, considered as the wealth of technical skills and craftsmanship, becomes distinct at this point. They are all very young men and women, person specially versed operators, with an average age of 29 and of whom 60% hold a diploma or university degree, and whose actual presentation is on the average over 5 years forward Maserati models. These people make up a pure elite of production professionals who have power to work with full knowledge even attached 40 different stations and perform activities requiring from 20 to 40 minutes. This method they are fully rounded mechanics who practically master the unalloyed production flow.
‘Bodyshell’ area
This is whither the primary structure of the Alfa Romeo 4C is assembled, primitive creating the body in white of the car, and afterwards putting on the preliminary ‘skins’. In vexation a closer look, the operators at condition 10 of the line join the carbon fibre monocoque to the two chassis, stand opposite to and rear, and to the crossmembers. It is an operation done by hand, and during the entire process compliance of parameters like the ‘bend torque’ of the tightenings, guaranteeing that the related components stay forever joined even in the greatest in number demanding conditions of use, is checked.
Shortly further on, at station 30, the elementary corpuscle of the car is closed through . fitting the windscreen frame and canopy. The peculiarity of this operation lies in the peculiar templates used to give the passenger compartment cell the right geometry. The joints are made of lordly-tech chemical polymer materials and are reinforced through mechanical joints.
Metrological room
Once the bodyshell station is finished, the Alfa Romeo 4C corpse in white faces up to quality superintend in the metrological room. Every sunshineight a few bodies taken as samples undergo highly precise measurement. The dedicated team checks added than 400 measurement points to subsist sure that the body is finished on the geometric and dimensional proportion. No room is left for tolerance in this process: the measurements obtain to give results compliant with the intend.
Painting and Assembly
The stage following the bodyshell theatre is painting. It is the singly process that is performed outside the Maserati scatter seed. Once they have been painted, the bodies in white go ‘to be circulated’ on the Alfa Romeo 4C. One quirk must be stressed: the new pact supercar is the only car that starts its congregation phase with ‘disassembly’. In fact, in the van of assembling the internal components at business 1, the car returns to its original structure by removing the already picture ‘skins’, like the bonnet and doors, and the structural abilities, like the rear beams and spherical vaulted roof bar. It is only at this nicety that it is fastened to the rotating carrier.
The professional expertise of the actor is at the heart of the mere process in this area. That is why the work station and the entire logistics system have been built about the operators’ activities. All the components needed to render the 4C arrive at the unlike each other stations in the right quantities, at the erect place, and at the right time. For exemplification, there are no useless or inhuman movements at station 2. The car is lifted or turned to perpetually offer the side where operations are carried out at the as it should be height. All this is a guarantee of quality and offers the vulgar herd the chance to practise their hand-book dexterity in the best possible regular course.
Also operations like window assembly, carried out by robots elsewhere, are given over to the care and application of people. This as well is some exclusive peculiarity of the 4C production process. And that’s not altogether. Many of the subassemblies of the car – lungs and dashboard, for example – are assembled to this place at the factory, unlike what takes effect at other industrial sites where they arrive even now pre-assembled by the suppliers. These are the whole of aspects that make a profound impulse on the perceived and real persons of rank of the finished product.
Testing surface, road testing and finishing
Testing is the merely stage of the production process entrusted to technology from that time it is necessary to objectify the trait of performance. The systems rigorously bridle every single detail of the car, from optimum force of the climate control system to the setting of the mechanical components and dynamic behaviour.
After they possess passed the testing area, all the 4Cs produced go through a 40-km road test driven through . an expert test driver. This is some other practice typical of the most prestigious supercars. The team of criterion drivers is a major point of presumption for the plant. All team members are quick drivers, passionately about sports driving and racing, and are exact professionals.
The production flow of the Alfa Romeo 4C all but reaches the end when the cars arrive at the Finishing district, where they undergo the final wager-up operations before moving on to mercantile logistics to go onto the mart.
Customisations
An ‘essential’ model for ‘driving purists’ is available in all markets
Mopar accessories and merchandising products
Authorised Alfa Care 4C Service Centres
Interactive video configurator
An unforgettable experience and driving pleasure will be the themes dominating the arising from traffic launch of the Alfa Romeo 4C that, starting from October, be able to be ordered in all Alfa Romeo dealerships in Europe.
An ‘first principle’ model for ‘driving purists’ will exist available in all markets to exalt the driving experience to the extreme. It will be offered standard through evolved DNA selector, instrument panel through TFT technology and turbo pressure, oil temperature and Gmeter gauges, sporty fabric seats, leather steering wheel by shift paddles, alloy wheels (17″ in face, 18″ in the rear), grey fern calipers and twin exhaust pipes.
Customers be possible to then decide to further personalise their cars by selecting from either an exclusive mass of accessories made by Mopar®, the Parts & Service and Customer Care Division of the Fiat and Chrysler Groups, or a luxuriant list of optionals including the Racing Pack (racing determine-up, racing exhaust system, AR RACING tyres, 18/19” 5-perforation wheels, sports steering wheel in leather by microfibre insert and red stitching) and the Luxury Pack (mingled leather and microfibre sports seats by red stitching, carbon fibre Bi-LED headlights).
Mopar accessories and merchandising products
Mopar has made a great number of accessories for the Alfa Romeo 4C that harmoniously unite with the technical and styling features of this supercar. To denominate just a few, there are the 17″ to 19″ dismal, grey or diamond black wheels, raise spoiler made of composite material or carbon fibre, black, red or yellow brake calipers, carbon fibre or chrome-plated door mirror fairings, carbon thread dashboard and coloured engine cover. The optionals sold by Mopar in the aftermarket include the carbon pile headlights, 18″-19″ larger wheels, racing consume tailpipe or racing set-up – including rear anti-roll bar and springs, shog absorbers and front anti-roll stop with specific calibration – that can exist matched with race tyres specially developed with Pirelli.
Along with the collaboration of the Alfa Romeo Centro Stile, Mopar has draw near up with an exclusive merchandising hoard inspired by the compact 4C supercar, presented in spite of the first time at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show. Today this precious series is joined by a numeral of new top-quality products such as the ‘long board’ with 100% carbon thread structure designed on an exclusive ground for the brand and made using materials and lines representative of Alfa’s DNA; the sporty red 4C sweatshirt with hood personalised with rich embroidery drudge and the backpack sporting a exceptional design and made of a waterproof texture, complete with roomy pockets and a peculiar device that increases its capacity. We in addition find the pen designed exclusively with respect to the 4C, inspired by its assailing lines and made with the same materials used on the car, in the same state as carbon and aluminium.
These renovated products join the already rich 4C heap that includes various types of also: these include the more iconic, efficient to express the brand’s statue and the content of its DNA to the well stocked, such as the aluminium luge and the carbon sunglasses. Then there are those designed with fashion and lifestyle in pay attention to, such as the high-impermeability raincoat, the carbon-brushed sweatshirt through softshell inserts. A more technological district is occupied by the ski or snowboard goggles with GPS connection for augmented reality. The car-shaped USB rush and the carbon cover for iPhone or iPad, attached the other hand, are more geared towards gayety.
Authorised Alfa Care 4C Service Centres
Qualified and practised personnel, specific diagnosis and repair tools, plus high levels of service. The 4C Service Network is born. It is a specialised spiritual obedience structure that will be present with Authorised 4C Service Centres throughout the EMEA surface that can be contacted by dialling a dedicated freephone account: 00 800 2532 4200.
The freephone count is available for providing technical and benefit information and for activating the roadside assistance supplied by the Authorised Centres, like are the routine maintenance and repair operations. And it is precisely repairs on which the chief new services point of convergence.
The 4C is a ‘special’ car that is the harvest of innovative technologies and materials that beseech a targeted and highly professional advance, especially on the carbon fibre monocoque, aluminium components and SMC material substance.
More specifically, a special Diagnostics Centre has been created according to the monocoque in Turin, which supports the 4C Service Centres in diagnosis and repair drudge. The facility boasts the professional expertise of a team of ‘flying doctors’ that be able to reach the 4C to be repaired at every Service Centre of the EMEA yard if necessary, who analyse any detriment the carbon fibre structure has sustained using radiographic and resonance technologies. In the case of paltry or medium damage, they are equipped to cause repairs on site. If, on the other handful, the damage is serious, the flying doctors opt to put back the monocoque at the Service Centre to which the customer turned.
The Alfa Care 4C Service Centres are moreover equipped to replace and repair aluminium beams. In item, a repair system has been created towards the rear beam, which is more complex to replace because it too houses the engine mountings. Repair requires that the damaged sections subsist cut and replaced, and that the parts be sealed with special adhesives that imitate the cold welding effect.
Service Centre technicians are besides able to repair slight or mean damages of the SMC parts of the carcass by using special instruments.
Interactive video configurator
The entrance of innovation in the field of online car configurators is impressive even farther forward on the need of the Alfa Romeo 4C’s throw. The website 4c.alfaromeo.com contains some interactive video configurator that lets users personalise their supercars in a multimedia context filled with atmosphere.
In particular, the undiminished process of configuring the 4C is displayed in every interactive film clip in which the selections made by the users – like changing the colour of the material part , selecting elements like wheels and headlights, because example – affect the contents in certain time without interrupting the video. While changing its appearance during execution, the car plays the starring role in the pellicle clip and offers users a 3D and dynamic optical perception of their choices.
What makes the Alfa Romeo 4C unlike all the rest is the vicinity of an actual virtual control booth that lets users personalise their actual trial and share it with their friends. They be able to freely select detailed video sheets attached the car’s specifications that make rich the video with stimulating cinema-manner of writing cuts to turn every configuration into a personalised video edited viewed like one likes.
It is an between nations project developed by Wedoo, the leading digital agency in the market and in online configurator introduction of novelty. By combining video shots, interactive computer graphics and the chiefly innovative texture mapping and animation technologies, some experience of high visual and emotional pack close has been created for the Alfa Romeo 4C. It is a intermingle of technological innovation and profound judgment of the world and automotive improvement, the ideal way for turning the brand’s values and the spirit of the recently made known Alfa Romeo 4C supercar into online emotions.
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