"With its turbocharged mid-engine layout and high-effort controls, the 4C commands a driver's respect and delivers a high sensation of speed. When driven in its sweet spot, the 4C is rewarding and feels like a modern classic. But you should pick something else if you're looking for a daily driver." -Edmunds
Engine and Transmission
The little Italian beauty comes with a 1.7L inline-4 turbocharged engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Churning out 237 horses and 258 pound-feet of torque, the Alfa Romeo throws all that power to its rear wheels. Its turbocharged mid-engine layout makes for an enthusiastic machine on track, with an excellent weight-to-power ratio. Still, some turbo lag seems to persist which takes away a bit of joy from spirited driving.
The paltry output of the powertrain is but just numbers, as the performance is top-notch and the 4C Spider is anything but slow. But its resonating rumble from under the hood gets invasive after a certain time and can be distasteful for some. The soft top is not really a cruiser or a city driver. Its competition shows mixed results with the 4C at the lowest end of the spectrum in terms of power, whereas the most powerful in terms of output is the BMW M240i.
Models
|
Alfa Romeo 4C Spider Convertible
|
Jaguar F Type Convertible
|
Porsche 718 Boxster Convertible
|
BMW M240i Convertible
|
Ford Mustang Ecoboost Convertible
|
Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet
|
Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
|
MSRP
|
$66,900
|
$64,845
|
$59,000
|
$50,400
|
$31,180
|
$51,850
|
$31,500
|
Engine
|
1.7L i4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded
|
2.0L i4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded
|
2.0L H4 Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded
|
3.0L i6
|
2.3L, Turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
|
2.0L, Turbocharged, Inline-4 engine
|
2.0L Inline-4 Turbo engine
|
Transmission
|
6-Speed automatic
|
8-Speed automatic
|
6-Speed manual
|
8-Speed automatic
|
6-Speed manual
|
9-Speed automatic
|
6-Speed manual
|
Horsepower
|
237 hp @ 6000 rpm
|
296 hp@ 1500rpm
|
300 hp@ 6500rpm
|
335 hp@ 5500rpm
|
310 hp @ 5500 rpm
|
255 hp @ 5800
|
275hp @ 5600
|
Torque(lb-ft)
|
258 @ 2200 rpm
|
295 @ 1500rpm
|
280 @ 1950rpm
|
369 @ 1520 rpm
|
350 @ 3000 rpm
|
273 @ 1800
|
295 @ 3000-4500
|
Acceleration
Quite frankly, the numbers don't do justice to the performance of the 4C. Clocking 4.3 seconds in a 0-60 mph run while taking 13 seconds flat in the quarter-mile, the Alfa Romeo is technically the fastest of the lot. Its 1.7L engine boasts great performance while the rest of the cars in this segment fail to match its performance despite more powerful engines.
Models
|
Alfa Romeo 4C Spider Convertible
|
Jaguar F Type Convertible
|
Porsche 718 Boxster Convertible
|
BMW M240i Convertible
|
Ford Mustang Ecoboost Convertible
|
Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet
|
Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
|
0-60 MPH
|
4.3 sec
|
5.4 sec
|
5.1 sec
|
4.5 sec
|
5.0 sec
|
6.1 sec
|
5.4 sec
|
Quarter mile
|
13.0 sec
|
14.1 sec
|
13.8 sec
|
13.1 sec
|
13.9 sec
|
14.1 sec
|
14.0 sec
|
Engine
|
1.7L inline-4 Intercooled Turbo
|
2.0L inline-4 Intercooled Turbo
|
2.0L H4 Intercooled Turbo
|
3.0L I-6
|
2.3L
|
2.0 Liters
|
2.0 Liters
|
Emission
(Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)
|
5.9
|
6.8
|
6.4
|
7.4
|
7.1
|
6.9
|
8.39
|
The closest that any of its competitors get to the 4C is the BMW M240i, and that car has two whole cylinders in excess. The smaller engine also prevents burning a hole in your pocket as far as the emission taxes are concerned.
Ride and Braking
The Alfa Romeo is a small and zippy car that is bound to entertain on track, and that is true even in its ride and handling. Overcoming challenging tarmac and twisty roads, the convertible takes it all in its stride. The soft top has a stiff ride and as a result, tuned to handle through swooping apexes and corners. Body roll is limited while steering control is unassisted that translates to harder slow-speed car control. However as you attain greater speeds, the car is fluid to take control and provides great feedback. The convertible's lightweight design really works wonders for thrashing the car as you want to tame it.
The Brembo-made brakes on the 4C Spider bring the 2500 pound convertible works like a charm. It brings the soft top from 60-0 mph in a distance of 107 feet which is really impressive. While the competition takes similar times, the Alfa Romeo is still relatively an athletic machine. However, the pedal feels too sensitive and can react unstably especially at higher speeds.
Model
|
Alfa Romeo 4C Spider Convertible
|
Jaguar F Type Convertible
|
Porsche 718 Boxster Convertible
|
BMW M240i Convertible
|
Ford Mustang Ecoboost Convertible
|
Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet
|
Chevrolet Camaro Convertible
|
Brake Front (in.)
|
12
|
14
|
13
|
13.4
|
12.6
|
13
|
12.6
|
Brake Rear (in.)
|
11.5
|
12.8
|
11.8
|
13.6
|
12.6
|
11.8
|
12.4
|
Curb Weight (lbs.)
|
2487
|
3405
|
2944
|
3790
|
3706
|
3894
|
3627
|
60-0 MPH (ft.)
|
107
|
101
|
112
|
104
|
106
|
153 (70-0)
|
129
|