Friday 19 / April / 2024
Muscat: The Alfa Romeo 4C, alongside the Guilia and Stelvio, marked the Italian brand's highly anticipated return to Oman last month. The 4C sets itself apart with a stunning mid-engine design inspired by the brand's legendary racing history, state-of-the-art carbon fibre monocoque and all-aluminium turbocharged engine, state-of-the-art Formula 1 inspired carbon fibre monocoque chassis, and advanced technological solutions; all to deliver supercar-level performance and driving exhilaration. The 4C Spider takes it a step further with the excitement of an open-air motoring experience together with panoramic views; complemented by the signature Alfa exhaust note.
The inspiration for the Alfa Romeo 4C dates back to the 1967 33 Stradale, the homologated version of the racing Type 33, which is considered one of the most beautiful cars of all time. Like the 33 Stradale that combined extreme mechanical and functional requirements with undeniable Alfa Romeo style and performance – the 4C coupe shares its body forms and follows this performance tradition with an undoubtedly Italian-styled composite body, a state-of-the-art carbon fibre and aluminium structure, and a high-performance turbocharged engine. Even the ‘4C’ name recalls Alfa Romeo's great sporting tradition: the acronyms 8C and 6C in the 1930s and 1940s distinguished racing and road cars fitted with powerful eight and six cylinder engines respectively. The 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C model's designation continues this tradition with the latest all-aluminium 1750 cc four-cylinder engine.
Commenting on the 4C, Rhett Maxwell, the GM of Dhofar Automotive said, “In tune with the performance heritage of the Alfa Romeo brand, the 4C has been designed to offer a truly exhilarating and emotional driving experience. It is a car that delivers true supercar-level performance in its most elemental form. And the core reason behind such performance is the engineering, technology, care, and craftsmanship that went into creating the two key parts of the car – its structure and drivetrain.”
To create the ultra-lightweight architecture, Alfa Romeo 4C engineers looked to Formula 1 and only the most advanced supercars for state-of-the-art materials. The result is a monocoque made entirely of carbon fibre that delivers extraordinary stiffness and strength. Attached to the Alfa Romeo 4C's exotic monocoque are front and rear cell structures, roof reinforcements and an engine-mounting frame made from lightweight aluminium. Alfa Romeo engineers also created the bodywork entirely of SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound), a low-density, high-strength composite material that is 20 percent lighter and dimensionally more rigid than steel. Providing the ability to create complex shapes while saving weight by 20 percent compared to steel. Engineers even optimized the Alfa Romeo 4C's windshield and side windows by using 10 percent thinner glass to reduce their weight. Finally, two sport seats feature a carbon fibre and fiberglass reinforced-composite structure to deliver the strength and seating position needed for performance driving.
The engine is the beating heart of any Alfa Romeo, and for the 4C, it beats to a 1750cc direct-injection 237 horsepower aluminium engine. To ensure exceptional performance and drivability, this engine features cutting-edge technical solutions, including direct-injection, intercooler, dual (intake and exhaust) continuous variable-valve timing (VVT), eight counterweights, and intake and exhaust systems optimized for Alfa Romeo 4C's mid-engine layout. A new generation turbocharger maximizes torque at low engine speeds and deliver more response to driver input by increasing combustion efficiency, all while eliminating turbo lag. As a result, torque delivery is instantaneous, with a peak of 258 ft.-lb. (350 NM); 80 percent of which is available at only 1,700 rpm.
Teamed to the all-aluminium engine is a paddle-shifting Alfa TCT twin-clutch transmission, which has been specifically tuned for the Alfa Romeo 4C. With its uniquely calibrated software that adjusts with the Alfa DNA selector system, the Alfa TCT's gearshifts are designed to become most aggressive in the Dynamic and Race modes. The Alfa TCT system also integrates a ‘launch control’ mode – delivering the utmost acceleration possible as soon as the driver releases the brake.
Thanks to its mid-engine layout, advanced technology, and compact size, the Alfa Romeo 4C demonstrates its performance credentials with a top speed of 257kmph, 0-to-100kmph acceleration blasts in the mid-4 second range, 1.1g of lateral acceleration on corners, and 1.25g of maximum braking deceleration.
“Adding to the excitement of the coupe and with a removable carbon fibre hard top, the 4C Spider takes the Coupe's supercar level of performance and technology and 'opens it up' allowing the driver to experience the incredible 4C from an entirely different perspective,” added Rhett.
With seating for two, panoramic views and uninterrupted access to soundtrack of an Italian performance-tuned engine and exhaust, 4C Spiders are among the most exhilarating experiences in motoring – and represent the very core of Alfa Romeo's DNA and heritage. Its open-air performance cockpit also perfectly complements the already stunning mid-engine proportions and supercar stance of the coupe, whilst perfectly retaining its technological prowess and performance credentials. Furthermore, the spider sports a unique carbon fibre windshield frame and optional carbon fibre ‘halo’ that highlight the 4C Spider's ultralight carbon fibre monocoque and aluminium chassis structures. Covering the ‘beating heart’ of this Italian supercar is a deck-lid with three functional heat extractors, as opposed to the glass cover on the coupe, and an aerodynamically tuned spoiler.
