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New Alfa Romeo 4C Compared to the Fiero. by fierogtlt1
Started on: 09-22-2013 11:52 AM
Replies: 11 (840 views)
Last post by: pontiackid86 on 05-14-2014 10:13 PM
fierogtlt1
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Report this Post09-22-2013 11:52 AM Click Here to See the Profile for fierogtlt1Send a Private Message to fierogtlt1Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post



Two of the saddest, and most sudden, American automotive casualties took place in rapid succession in the late 20th century: the demise of the Pontiac Fiero, and the disappearance of Alfa Romeo brand from the U.S. Their absence not only left a hole in our hearts, they left a hole in the nimble mid-priced sports car market — one large enough for Mazda, Toyota, and Porsche to drive a few hundred thousand Miatas, MR2s, and Boxster/Caymans through.

Pontiac is gone for good, but the good folks at the snake and cross brand have finally realized the error of their ways, and have uncovered the recipe for success in the American market: build and sell an Italian Fiero. That car is this, the Alfa Romeo 4C.
Alfa claims we will be able to buy one in 2013. And to prove it, they just unveiled the production version of the car here at Geneva. The salient details:

Engine: This ain’t no Iron Duke. It’s a 1.75 liter, turbocharged, direct injected four-cylinder, mounted in the tail, that puts out 240 hp/259 ft.-lb. and will propel the car from 0-60 mph in under 4.5 seconds.

Transmission: A Turbo-Hydramatic, twin dry clutch, automated manual, with paddle shifters, featuring four shift modes (dynamic, natural, all-weather, race) and six speeds.

Weight: Nearly 800 lbs. lighter than a 1988 Fiero GT, the 4C will weigh about 1,969 lbs. Weight savings ate achieved through the use of a carbon fiber tub and seat frames, as well as an aluminum-intensive suspension and front and rear substructures. Also, skinny passengers only, per piacere.


Interior Highlights Peek in and note the squared-off steering wheel, push-button transmission, configurable digital dashboard display, exposed carbon fiber, retro ribbed seats, leather door straps and mechanical hand brake. Sadly, no speakers in the headrests.

Exterior Highlights: We love the phone dial wheels, shrunken 8C styling, round tail lights, handsomely hollow hips, compact size (exactly as long as a Miata), and the constellation of LED running lights hovering above the marginally reptilian headlamps. But our favorite exterior feature is the presence of a real Italian manufacturer’s badge. This ain’t no mere Mera.

When Can We Have It: Much sooner than the Fiero successor. The 4C will first be shown our shores at the Los Angeles Auto Show in late 2013, which, in case you’ve forgotten, is the exact year in which we are currently living. First customer deliveries will happen before the end of the year. Sadly, only 1,200 will be arriving in North America each annum, which is significantly less than the 370,000 Fieros sold from 1984-1988. The first 500 of these will be premium-priced "Launch Editions," which come with special instruction from a professional driver.

Price: American pricing has not yet been set, and will be announced at the L.A. show, but European "Launch Editions" will cost a heady 60,000 euros, which is $75,000. We hope ours won't cost that much.





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nitroheadz28
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Report this Post09-22-2013 01:27 PM Click Here to See the Profile for nitroheadz28Send a Private Message to nitroheadz28Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by fierogtlt1:

Transmission: A Turbo-Hydramatic, twin dry clutch, automated manual, with paddle shifters, featuring four shift modes (dynamic, natural, all-weather, race) and six speeds.


Sigh, sports cars these days

Also considering the price point and general purpose of the vehicle, very little comparison IMO.

[This message has been edited by nitroheadz28 (edited 09-22-2013).]

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mrfiero
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Report this Post09-22-2013 02:32 PM Click Here to See the Profile for mrfieroSend a Private Message to mrfieroEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by nitroheadz28:


Sigh, sports cars these days .




Yep.....it's a very sad time in automotive history when you can no longer get a real stick shift in a sports car.
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KillerFrogg
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Report this Post09-22-2013 09:06 PM Click Here to See the Profile for KillerFroggSend a Private Message to KillerFroggEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
Really It looks like a Lotus Elise, but with a drive train similar to the Evora.. And I totally agree. Its not a sports car unless there are 3 pedals.

But back on topic, if you go and look at the Lotus's produced cars, they are bare bones, minimalist interior, and sound exactly the same as what AR is describing this car as.

I smell some re-branding here =P

But by no means does that mean I don't like them. They are sweet little cars, are fast, have great hp/lb ratios, and are fuel efficient. I can't afford one, but aside from the Cadillac ATS, cars like this are at the top of "when I hit the lotto" list.
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AusFiero
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Report this Post09-23-2013 03:12 AM Click Here to See the Profile for AusFieroClick Here to visit AusFiero's HomePageSend a Private Message to AusFieroEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by mrfiero:
Yep.....it's a very sad time in automotive history when you can no longer get a real stick shift in a sports car.


Well you can in a Miata / MX5.

From local experiences with Alfa Romeos they have lots of trouble with transmissions. They just haven't worked out how to do a flappy paddle box without it having major faults while it is still young. Beautiful cars but they cant seem to build a transmission for **** .
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pontiackid86
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Report this Post09-23-2013 10:06 AM Click Here to See the Profile for pontiackid86Send a Private Message to pontiackid86Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
That's a hard price comparison to make there when they talk about Miata's MR2's and boxters, If its set close to that price range you can get a late 2000's viper cheaper than that.
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lateFormula
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Report this Post09-23-2013 10:30 AM Click Here to See the Profile for lateFormulaSend a Private Message to lateFormulaEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
That side view of the Alfa looks more like a Solstice coupe than a Fiero or a Lotus Elise

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Boostdreamer
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Report this Post09-23-2013 11:14 AM Click Here to See the Profile for BoostdreamerSend a Private Message to BoostdreamerEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
The Alfa is extremely "cab forward" don't you think? Much more than the Solstice. The Alfa almost looks like an enclosed Can-Am Spyder from the side view. It's not an ugly car but it has some proportion issues in my opinion.





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[This message has been edited by Boostdreamer (edited 09-23-2013).]

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project34
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Report this Post09-25-2013 04:50 AM Click Here to See the Profile for project34Send a Private Message to project34Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post

The new Alfa Romeo 4C looks much more fat and stubby that I would have expected, based on some illustrations of a more svelte-looking 4C that appeared in the February 18, 2013 issue of Autoweek. I hope that is because the overly bright white photo of the 4C shown above simply obscures some of the car's curves atop its fenders, especially near the rear, thus making the 4C look much more fat and stubby than it really is.

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Report this Post09-25-2013 07:28 AM Click Here to See the Profile for LZeitgeistSend a Private Message to LZeitgeistEdit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I'll happily stick with my Formula, for many reasons.

Not least of all is I will never willingly own a primary driver without a clutch pedal.

Also, that car could be a third of that price and I still wouldn't really want to own it.

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Report this Post05-14-2014 04:57 PM Click Here to See the Profile for project34Send a Private Message to project34Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
The multi-page article in the June 2014 issue of Road & Track magazine comparing the Alfa Romeo 4C to its two-seater Porsche Cayman and Lotus Elise counterparts may be of interest to some of you following this thread.
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Report this Post05-14-2014 10:13 PM Click Here to See the Profile for pontiackid86Send a Private Message to pontiackid86Edit/Delete MessageReply w/QuoteDirect Link to This Post
I do like it but that is not even a comparison. the fiero was a cheaply built and cheaply priced fun car. this is going to be a cheaply built expensive as hell car... the big kicker here is going to be that for a couple thousand less you can have a lotus elise that looks better and has a more solid drive train behind it and still cheaper the exgie that looks better and is comparable in performance. This was also the problem with the $20K's car but when they hit the market the dealerships jacked the price of them to the point where for a good $5000 more a lotus could be had.

[This message has been edited by pontiackid86 (edited 05-14-2014).]

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