Enthusiasts applaud the Alfa Romeo 4C as being one of the last genuinely analog sports cars. The beloved mid-engined Italian two-seater departed from the market in 2020, leaving a hole in the marketplace that competitors like the Chevrolet Corvette and Lotus Evora can not quickly fill. Initially introduced in 2013, the final 2020 Alfa Romeo 4C was available only in the Spider configuration and provided consumers with a truly raw driving experience at a price much lower than other Italian supercars. Now, for many owners of this discontinued legend, it is either the 4C or nothing.
Alfa Romeo 4C Spider Powertrain
Upon release of the 4C, many consumers were skeptical of the all-aluminum turbocharged 1.7-liter four-cylinder that powers the car, undecided on whether it would provide enough power. However, the 237 hp inline-four was quickly able to prove itself. The compact plant also manages to put down 258 lb-ft of torque. All cars are equipped with a six-speed dual dry clutch transmission that can be actuated by paddle shifters affixed to the steering wheel. Alfa Romeo wanted a cockpit-like experience for drivers that is further enhanced by these shifters.
4C Spider Performance And Handling
The Alfa Romeo 4C is built for the enthusiast driver. Everything about its handling characteristics exudes an energy that you won't often get outside the 1960s roadster equivalent. The Alfa Romeo 4C is raw, with no power steering getting in the way of a driver's connection to the road. No power steering and a harsh suspension may get tiring in an urban setting, but the 4C comes to life on curvy mountain roads. With a downshift, the sprite four-cylinder pops and gurgles as the Alfa effortlessly hits harsh corners. A quick 0-60 time of just 4.3 seconds allows drivers to maneuver out of almost any situation quickly.
The handling characteristics of the 4C are dramatized by its light weight of just under 2,500 pounds. The car has an all-carbon fiber chassis to help reduce as much weight as possible. Additionally, the chassis is exceptionally stiff—something consumers often note right away when getting behind the wheel of a 4C. The front and rear subframes of the car are also composed of aluminum.
4C Spider Interior, Quality, And Technology
At the time of its development, Alfa Romeo was in financial turmoil. The small Italian company had little money in the budget to devote to things like an infotainment system or even something like their own interior switches. As such, the Alfa Romeo's interior does not feel as expensive as the outside would lead you to believe. Regardless, consumers seem to appreciate the honesty of the car, and it is a toy meant for spirited drivers. Everything else comes second.
Nevertheless, consumers receive a Pioneer head unit from the factory, off-the-shelf climate vents, and strangely both climate control and window switches from a Volkswagen Passat. The only thing Alfa Romeo did develop on their own was the gauge cluster. The fully digital unit display all the valuable information an enthusiast would be looking for, with large readout outs for rpm and speed. The steering wheel is basic, with only paddle-shifters present. The center console houses push-button transmission controls and control for the car's three-range drive settings.
The car's top is insulated canvas with a folding steel frame. It is held to the vehicle with six latches. While not as convenient as a power top, it is incredibly light, and one person can easily fold it up and put it in the car's trunk. Cargo space is limited to a small compartment behind the engine—just 3.7 cubic feet, enough for the top and possibly a backpack. Unfortunately, the 4C has no front trunk. There is, however, behind the seat compartments for some additional light storage. As expected, there are no driver assistance features beyond cruise control.
Alfa Romeo 4C Spider Pricing
The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider comes with a cost greater than traditional family vehicles, but much lower than the average Italian sports car. Originally, back in 2020, the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider retailed for $67,150. Options were few, just larger 20-inch wheels and a few upgraded paint options. A limited edition 33 Stradale Tributo was also available, but only 33 were sold in North America.
This price is significantly lower than that of other Italian competitors such as Ferrari and Lamborghini, putting the Alfa Romeo 4C in reach of many individuals that want an actual Italian sports car but couldn't justify spending more than $100,000 on a weekend toy. This has also helped the 4C garner a cult-like following of individuals devoted to them.
Thanks to all the love these cars receive from enthusiasts, values aren't diminishing. Consumers can expect to pay close to the original MSRP for decent examples or even more for extremely low mileage cars. The 4-year 50,000-mile warranty is still in effect for most of these examples.
While Alfa Romeo has had a poor history of electrical problems, the analog nature of the 4C means it should have a reliable future. The engine is also not very complex and is serviceable by most enthusiasts. Overall, the Alfa Romeo 4C might be one of the last great enthusiast cars and is a beautiful way to enjoy Italian performance in the open air.