|
Just a small number of Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Editions will make it to
Australia
|
|
|
Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition
Home >
News >
Alfa Romeo
Recent new car releases ..... here
Upcoming new car releases ..... here
21st March, 2013
- The exclusive ‘Launch Edition’ made its début at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month. It will be produced as a
numbered limited edition: 400 in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, 500 in North America and 100 in the rest of the
world.
- Dedicated to the host of enthusiasts throughout the world, the limited edition of the new Alfa Romeo compact super
car is distinguished by exclusive characteristics such as carbon fibre trim and the ‘Carrara White’ body colour.
- New all-aluminium engine: direct-injection 240 HP 1750 Turbo Petrol.
- Top speed of more than 250 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in a staggering 4.5 seconds.
- Alfa TCT twin clutch transmission with shift paddles at steering wheel and new Alfa DNA selector with additional
‘Race’ mode.
The global launch of the Alfa Romeo 4C marks the return of the brand to the world of lightweight sports coupés, an
extraordinary event, awaited ever more eagerly by the host of enthusiasts throughout the world. The exclusive ‘Launch
Edition’ was made just for them.
The new Launch Edition can ‘clothe’ its body with two liveries – Carrara White or Alfa Red – and is marked out by
the distinctive badge, inlaid beneath the paintwork. The line of the special car is enhanced by the carbon aerodynamic
kit (including spoiler and door mirror covers), the rear aluminium diffuser with dark finishing, Bi-LED headlights with
dark surround and 18" (front) and 19" (rear) alloy wheels with burnishing treatment.
To accentuate the sports look still further, there are front air intakes, brake callipers in a specific colour,
racing exhaust system with BMC air cleaner and suspension kit with specific calibration for shock absorbers and rear
anti-roll bar.
The interior has the same sports feel, with highlights provided by the leather/fabric sports seats with parts in
Alcantara, as well as the distinctive, numbered carbon badge. In the case of the red livery, the Alfa Romeo 4C Launch
Edition has red stitching on the steering wheel trim, handbrake, mats, handles and sports seats.
Of course, the Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition offers all the winning characteristics of the model that represents the
essential sportiness embedded in the ‘Alfa Romeo DNA’: Italian style, performance and technical excellence, for maximum
driving pleasure in complete safety.
Designed by Alfa Romeo and produced in the Maserati plant in Modena, the new mid-engined rear-wheel drive coupé with
two bucket seats will be become available for purchase from later in 2013 (early 2014 in Australia) and will mark the
return of the Italian brand to the United States, inaugurating Alfa Romeo’s global growth plan.
The Alfa Romeo 4C derives directly from the concept which raised many eyebrows in admiration at the Geneva Motor Show
in 2011.
Acronym 4C
The acronym ‘4C’ draws its inspiration from the brand’s past, projecting the values of technology and emotions into
the future. Indeed, it refers to Alfa Romeo’s sporting tradition: the acronyms 8C and 6C in the 1930s and 1940s
distinguished cars – both racing and non – fitted with the powerful ‘eight cylinders’ and the innovative ‘six cylinders’,
confirming in its design lay out and construction the goal of achieving the weight/power ratio of an authentic super car,
less than 4 kg/HP, yet focusing not merely on the maximum power delivered, but on limiting the weight to guarantee
maximum agility and top performance. To this end, the Alfa Romeo 4C uses state-of-the-art technologies and materials
derived from super sports cars (including the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione) – carbon fibre, aluminium, rear-wheel drive –
and technologies from the latest standard models from Alfa Romeo, but updated to enhance the sports appeal of the new car
even further. This is demonstrated by the new 1750 Turbo Petrol all-aluminium engine with direct injection, the
sophisticated “Alfa TCT” twin dry clutch transmission and the Alfa DNA selector with the brand-new Race mode.
Exterior style
Designed by the Alfa Romeo Style Centre, the 4C immediately brings to mind some of the traditional iconic models which
have left a mark in the history of the brand. Above all others, in terms of dimensional and lay out similarities, one
stands out in particular: the 33 Stradale, a car that combined extreme mechanical and functional requirements with an
essential style which “clothed” the engine and chassis appropriately with unmistakable Alfa Romeo treatments.
The 4C has followed suit, and thus completes a journey which was embarked upon with the 8C Competizione, emphasising
some particular concepts of the brand, such as compact size, dynamism and agility.
The development of the 4C’s exterior was characterised from the start by the need to enhance the style of the car and
the technical characteristics both from a dynamic and aerodynamic point of view. For this reason, all the style solutions
adopted have been optimised in accordance with the ultimate goal of the car: performance.
The rear volume, sinuous and enveloping, simultaneously encloses and embraces the beating heart of the car: the
mechanics and the engine, visible through the rear window.
All this, thanks to the development of marked 'musculature' above the wheels, lends strength and power to the rear
end.
The rear musculature supports its structure on round rear light clusters and on the side air intakes necessary to cool
the intercooler and the air intake for engine aspiration.
From this energy-charged rear volume and the two side air intakes spring the two long 'muscles' which lend speed and
dynamism to the side, generating the necessary volume at the front end to house the headlights and, on the central part,
the two robust ribs running along the bonnet, tracing the unmistakable “V” and coming to their natural conclusion around
the shield.
This, together with the two side intakes, forms the famous “Trefoil”, a substantial facet of Alfa Romeo’s profile.
Interior design
The elemental design and essential materials also distinguish the interior, which is all designed and built for
maximum driving satisfaction.
Specifically, the carbon fibre of the central cell immediately stands out in the interior, left in full view to
enhance the sense of low weight, technology and uniqueness of the car.
The dashboard and door panels have an “asphalt” treatment to recall the vocation of the Alfa Romeo 4C, conceived to
convey maximum driving sensation from the road.
The seats ensure dedicated sports posture, favouring the driver’s contact with the road without, however, compromising
the comfort required for everyday use of the car.
The dashboard, simple and designed to make using functions simple too, reaches its zenith in the concept of extreme
driver-orientation, thanks to digital instruments and gear shift controls located on the appropriately shaped steering
wheel.
The cockpit, which powerfully suggests the world of motor cycle racing and race cars, brings together all information
necessary to drive and control the car.
The information, which is rendered captivating through powerful, high-impact graphics, allows the driver to keep
everything under control without distractions from controls that would be superfluous on this type of car.
The pedal unit and footboards for driver and passenger are all made of aluminium and embellish the lower part under
the dashboard, highlighting sports character down to the smallest detail.
Dimensions and aerodynamics
The compact dimensions make this car truly unique among its competitors: 3,990 mm long, 2,000 mm wide, 1,180 mm high
and with a wheelbase of 2,380 mm. These dimensions serve to accentuate its agility. What’s more, owing to the designers’
excellent work, the car achieves maximum aerodynamic efficiency levels, guaranteeing a negative Cz which, as in racing
cars, contributes towards achieving increased stability at higher speeds thanks to the aerodynamic downforce.
New direct-injection 240 HP 1750 Turbo Petrol engine
The engine is the beating “heart” of an Alfa Romeo. In this case, it’s the new direct-injection 240 HP 4-cylinder 1750
Turbo Petrol, which was designed with a precise objective: to ensure exceptional performance without sacrificing driving
fluidity and use in any circumstances, from the race track to the city streets. The Alfa Romeo 4C’s new mid-engine,
all-aluminium power unit adopts specific optimised intake and exhaust systems, to enhance both response at low speeds and
extension, with the assistance of a crankshaft with eight counterweights. In addition, it boasts cutting-edge technical
solutions including direct petrol injection, dual (intake and exhaust) continuous variable valve timing, a turbocharger
and a revolutionary scavenging control system that eliminates turbo lag. Torque delivery is generous, with a peak of 350
Nm, 80% of which is available at only 1,700 rpm.
Alfa TCT twin dry clutch transmission
The 1750 Turbo Petrol engine is teamed with the Alfa TCT twin dry clutch transmission, which is a benchmark in the
category due to its limited weight and extreme speed of activation. The gears can be changed in sequential mode using the
“shift paddles” located behind the steering wheel. Compared to the version already adopted on the Giulietta and MiTo
models, the TCT on the Alfa Romeo 4C implements next-generation software and features the new ‘Launch Control’ function
that optimises all car systems to provide the utmost acceleration possible. What’s more, to ensure the best performance
in accordance with the road conditions and driving style, the Alfa TCT adopts optimised operating logic, interacting with
the Alfa DNA selector, the braking system, the engine management system and the vehicle stability control system. For
example, in automatic mode, the shifting logic differs according to the Alfa DNA setting.
|
|
|
Self-Catering Holiday
Accommodation in
Denmark, WA
..... more
|
|
|
The new Alfa DNA selector with ‘Race’ mode
A specific evolution of the Alfa DNA selector has been developed for Alfa Romeo 4C, which not only features the three
standard settings available on other models in the range – Dynamic, Natural and All Weather – but also a fourth mode:
‘Race’, designed to enhance the driving experience on a race track even further. It only takes a long press of the
selector in Dynamic position to activate it: in this mode, the Alfa DNA deactivates the stability control and anti-slip
systems, leaving the driver in full, exciting control. Finally, the full-digital instrument panel with TFT display
changes configuration - showing only information relevant to the chosen mode - and colour in line with the Alfa DNA
setting: yellow for Race, red for Dynamic, grey for Natural and blue for All Weather.
Solid but lightweight structure
A stiff, strong but light structure is an essential pre-requisite for a high-performance sports car. The same
principle inspired the making of the Alfa Romeo 4C. A state-of-the-art combination of hi-tech materials of extraordinary
stiffness and strength, together with a very low specific weight, was selected to achieve this result. In particular, the
chassis is a monocoque made entirely of carbon fibre with ‘pre-preg’ technology derived from Formula 1 and adopted only
by the most advanced super cars, which weighs only 65 kilogrammes, inside which a space is formed for the driver and
passenger. The front and rear structures of the chassis and the roof reinforcements are made entirely of aluminium.
Additionally, the car’s bodywork is made entirely of low-density, high-strength composite material. Benefits of using
this material include lighter weight (it is 20% lighter than steel) and resistance to corrosion. Dimensional stability is
comparable to steel and better than aluminium.
Finally, the seats have a mixed carbon fibre and fibreglass structure which guarantees high resistance to stresses and
a particularly low weight at the same time.
The final result is a significant reduction in overall weight (the dry weight is just 895 kg) combined with the best
possible torsional stiffness and strength characteristics, as well as the optimisation of the car’s centre of gravity,
which gives the advantage of increased agility and drivability on the most challenging roads.
Suspension
The Alfa Romeo 4C has an extremely sophisticated suspension lay out – ‘superimposed wishbones’ at the front,
development of MacPherson at the rear – to ensure maximum agility and road holding. This solution, along with the
rear-wheel drive and the extraordinary weight to power ratio, ensures Alfa Romeo driving pleasure, enhanced even further
by the weight distribution (40% on the front axle and 60% on the rear axle). What’s more, for those wanting the maximum
in terms of handling, a complete suspension kit will be available with a specific calibration of the shock absorbers and
rear anti-roll bar.
Braking system, wheels and steering
To ensure decisive braking even under the most intensive conditions, the braking system has four self-ventilating
perforated discs, with Brembo four-piston aluminium callipers on the front axle. In addition, to “stick” the car firmly
onto the road surface, tyres with a different diameter and width depending on whether they are fitted at the front or
rear have been fitted (two variants possible, either 17"-18" or 18"-19") which were developed especially to guarantee
excellent performance (a kit of tyres with a softer mix is also provided for optimised grip). In line with the car’s
set-up, the steering system of the 4C does not feature power steering, to save weight but above all to secure a
superlative driving feel. An appropriate steering wheel load is maintained thanks to the low overall weight of the car.
Real super car performance
The implemented state-of-the-art technical and technological solutions drive the Alfa Romeo 4C to reach real super
car performance with a unique driving feel. This is demonstrated by a top speed in excess of 250 km/h, only 4.5 seconds
to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h, 1.1 of side acceleration on corners and 1.25 g of maximum braking deceleration.
Stay tuned to Next Car for specific price and local release details.
E&OE.
| 
