Good retro-styled Alfa grille, front is pugnacious in the extreme. This is a short car and you can't scrunch together most of the design cues of a classic like the 8C into a shorter package and expect it to look good. Marco Tencone of Alfa styling should know better—Wallace Wyss.
By Roberto Motta
Caption critiques by Wallace Wyss
Photos: fiatautopress
At its world premiere last April in Geneva, the Alfa Romeo 4C was voted the “most beautiful concept car of the year” by readers of German magazine Auto Bild. Now, the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept is on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show now open from September 15 through 25.
The choice of color, according to the designers in Milan, is due to the desire to highlight the shapes of the car, inspired by the idea of covering the car with a forged metal plate, which enhances the strength and technicality.
You have to admit that designers of most mid-engined cars take into account that the engine and transaxle are going to take up to two thirds of the car’s length, so they design the exterior to reflect that. Maybe sometimes too much, like the unlamented Mondial 8. Then along comes the designers of the Alfa 4C, inexplicably doing everything they can to disguise the fact that it is a mid-engined car and instead making it look like a two plus two or two seater front engined car. Which makes it , to this critic's eyes, look clownish, like a car built for Ringling Brothers Circus--Wallace Wyss.
The 4C, like the other Alfa Romeos, is not just a car, but it is a concentration of technology capable of transmitting emotions and driving pleasure true to this basic concept. This is officially described as “Ambassador DNA Technology.”
The concept of “D.N.A. Technology “, is the Alfa Romeo term for technical development of all its models, which provides that each vehicle combines dynamic performance, efficiency, performance, environmental friendliness, comfort, passive and active safety with the control of each condition.
To better meet this concept, the Alfa Romeo 4C concept incorporates many of the technologies and materials already used on the 8C Competizione, and merge them with technologies derived from the Alfa Romeo models currently on the market.
The 4C is planned to use the 1750 cc 4-cylinder turbo, which is derived from the Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde, capable of delivering 200 hp and push the car over 250 km / h. The engine is mated to a ‘Alfa TCT’ double dry clutch, derived from the same unit that made its debut on the MiTo.
The 4C is way too short a car to achieve any grace. The back half of the car looks like it should have a bigger front half, it’s like two different-sized cars were welded together in some back alley Milano junkyard--Wallace Wyss.
The chassis is characterized by a weight / power ratio of less than 4 kg / bhp, a total weight of 850 kg, a weight distribution of 40% in the front and 60% on the rear axle, the 4C promises to be a true ‘super car’ agile and maneuverable.
According to the House in Milan, the 4C will be marketed during 2013, thus strengthening the global growth plan of Alfa Romeo.
Overall, while I applaud Alfa for trying to come up with something new now that they are re-entering the U.S. market. What is shown at Frankfurt is labeled another concept, not the production car, so maybe they will stretch it out lengthwise and make it proportionately more satisfying---Wallace Wyss.
EDITORS NOTE: HERE IS A VIDEO OF TRENCONE SHOWING THE
PRESS THE 4c HIGHLIGHTS.
L’ALFA ROMEO 4C CONCEPT AL SALONE DI FRANCOFORTE
by Roberto Motta
photo fiatautopress
Presentata in anteprima mondiale lo scorso aprile a Ginevra ed eletta “Concept Car più bella dell’anno” dai lettori della rivista tedesca Auto Bild, l’Alfa Romeo 4C Concept sarà esposta al prossimo Salone di Francoforte, che si terrà dal 15 al 25 settembre.
La 4C, di cui abbiamo già parlato nello scorso marzo, ha subito alcune modifiche e via via sta prendendo la sua forma definitiva. La nuova vettura sarà presentata con un’inedita livrea caratterizzata dal colore ‘Fluid Metal’ e da una nuova forma della carrozzeria che presenta una linea di mezzaria che attraversa tutta la superficie superiore della vettura.
La scelta del colore, secondo i designer milanesi, è dovuta alla volontà di evidenziare le forme della vettura, ispirandosi all’idea di ricoprire l’auto con una lastra di metallo forgiata, che si adagia sulle forme della sportiva e, ne esalta la forza e la tecnicità.
La 4C, al pari delle altre vetture Alfa Romeo, non è una semplice auto, ma è un concentrato di tecnologia capace di trasmettere emozioni e piacere di guida e, fedele a questo concetto di base, è stata ufficialmente definita “Ambassador DNA Technology”.
Ricordiamo che il concetto di “D.N.A. Technology”, rappresenta la filosofia Alfa Romeo per lo sviluppo tecnico di tutti i suoi modelli che prevede che ogni vettura sia in grado di coniugare performance dinamiche, efficienza delle prestazioni, rispetto dell’ambiente, massimo comfort, sicurezza passiva e attiva con il controllo in ogni condizione.
Per meglio soddisfare questo concetto, l’Alfa Romeo 4C Concept riprende molte delle tecnologie e dei materiali già utilizzati sulla 8C Competizione, e li fonde con tecnologie derivate dai modelli Alfa Romeo attualmente in commercio.
Piccola e cattiva, la 4C sfrutta il 4 cilindri turbo da 1750 cc, derivato dalla Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde, in grado di erogare 200 cv e spingere la vettura oltre i 250 km/h.
Il propulsore è abbinato ad un cambio ‘ Alfa TCT’ a doppia frizione a secco, derivato dalla stessa unità che ha debuttato sulla MiTo.
Le sospensioni anteriori sono del tipo a ‘quadrilatero alto’, e del tipo McPherson sul posteriore.
Caratterizzata da un rapporto peso/potenza inferiore ai 4 kg/CV, da un peso complessivo di circa 850 kg, da una distribuzione dei pesi del 40% sull’asse anteriore e del 60% sull’asse posteriore, dal motore posteriore centrale e da un passo di soli 2,4 metri, La 4C promette di essere una vera ‘super car’ agile e maneggevole.
Secondo i piani della Casa milanese, la 4C sarà commercializzata nel corso del 2013, andando così a rafforzare il piano di crescita globale di Alfa Romeo.
The video link above leads to http://www.cardesignnews.com/site/home/display/store4/item220797/
This is a main page for all videos, not a direct link. The video is part of a member’s only (paid subscription: $155 USD per year) page. Hence, no access.
Please resolve this so that we can view the link or delete the link so save others going through the trouble of being frustrated.
I think Wallace is splitting hair in five here. This is car is exactly that, a high-end performance small car. It’s on par with an iPad2, much of it still misunderstood by the mass.
I think the lines flow well, it is, if not graceful, at least pleasing while being aggressive, but not too much. Maybe it’s because I was raised in Europe and living here but I don’t want to see yet another big car. The 4C looks well balance from all the angles I’ve seen. Then again, I’ve only seen it on paper…
Who in the hell is Wallace Wyss ?
wyss seems to be an opinionated wuss. some folk are so used to what they know they won’t even ben a bit to the left or right to expell gas.i’m sure this dude didn’t like the es30 design or the milano for that matter.two exceptionally lovely designs.go critiqe school buses.your all off.
Clearly Wallace has an axe to grind, as his critique is unduly harsh and mostly unique given the overall positive and appreciative reaction of most savvy viewers and judges…both in the Geneva and Frankfurt shows. I for one applaud Alfa for this gallant first effort, and for entering the mid-engined 4cyl sport market in the US. Bravo Alfa, Bravo.
I like light small sportcars and therefore welcome the 4C. However I find the body a bit busy, looks similar to the Lotus Elise which is also too busy in my opinion. Not bad but still prefer the more flowing lines of the cars produced in the fifties and sixties. Maybe without the side air intakes the car would look better.
Often less is more!! So I keep on driving my classics!
I like the car’s appearance and concept a lot, and would take it for a test drive in a minute, if one were available. The Lotus Elise is no beauty, but I can’t think of anything more fun to drive.
Marvin Collins
I am irritated enough to say that the company that gave us the 8C2900 as well as the Sprint Speciale, should be ashamed of themselves. The 4C looks like a mini version of a Terminator Morph Car. The great yesteryear designers of Alfa Romeo must be
spinning in their graves.
Please do not knock Alfa Romeo for daring to be different, check out the 2011 Geneva Motor Show and ask yourself Mr Wallace Wyss what do you like, if anything, about the BMW Vision Concept car and the Nissan Esflow concept car, as they look very similar to the beautiful 4C Alfa Romeo, did the BMW and Nissan also in your opinion come from some backyard junkyard?
Keep those comments coming—both the new Alfa and Wyss seem to have hit a nerve, one way or another. [Editor–]
I agree totally with Mr Wyss. The 8C I think is one of the most beautiful cars ever. I have a 1:18 model prominently displayed in our home.
When I first saw pictures of the 4C just did not like it and now I understand as Mr Wyss describes….. it very busy, with too many surfaces and the overall car is totally out of proportion.
I couldn’t disagree more. That’s a very interesting design. Perfect for a small sports car. My second car ever was a 1964 Lotus Elan and this seems to be in the same spirit. Kudos to Alfa for going for small, light, and under control.
I think the new 4C is actually quite modern and contemporary in the style of the new hot euro coupes and hatchbacks, yet sexy Italian. It’s cockpit also hints of my favorite the airplane cockpit of the Lancia Zagato rally car of the 70’s. I like the small Ferrari like tail too. The proportions are not 8C dated but FI Rally modern.
let me add here precedents.when dylan went from acoustic to electric the reaction of the philistines was load and raucous.when people first heard bird and coltrane they couldn’t find a slot for it in what they understood to be music.it must be a cultural thing with the italians .aint no one can design an emotionally passionate car like them.
I’d have to agree with Wally Wyss.
The 4C is a very clunky “design” that might have been interesting 15-20 years ago, but today is just too overdone, and too “fat”! Where is the finesse? The early Sixties Ford Falcon/Thunderbird taillights certainly don’t help it!
ah!beauty is surely in the eyes of the beholder.there are cars considered for many years classic.one in particular when at first appearance it seemed a bit ugly then over the years whenever one would see it you’d reconsider, and i can truly say after 45 years that car is really ugly.jensen interceptor.
It is true that the design has nothing to do the glorious days of old Alfas, however you should appreciate that nowadays there are not many Italian pens around (see Bertone,Pininfarina,Gandini,Guigiaro etc).
The last Alfa that really carries some elements of the past maybe is the 156 and its development 159 although designed by different persons (Da Silva / Guigiaro).
The same applies to engines offered by Alfa, as most are not true Alfa DNA, but instead FPT !
The 4C is not a bad design but certainly not a beauty that characteristically identify the ALFA ROMEO brand.
What I cannot understand is why Alfa with such a wealth of past, cannot concentrate and focus in the design of cars that register their presence the same ways did in the past .
OK, now a woman has to weigh in here. As an Alfista of over 40 years, I certainly do have my own opinions on Alfas just like anyone else. And I have to agree with Wallace. The 8C is a gorgeoous and well proportioned car, hitting a styling home run in my opinion. But the 4C doesn’t even come close. It has nothing to do with the “newness” of the 4C design — and yes, I did enjoy Dylan going electric — I just find the car ugly. (For the record, I thought the Milano ugly too.)
Wallace called the 4C “pugnacious” and I think the term fits the car perfectly.
Mary Ann