Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: ItalCarGuy on February 19, 2015, 10:15:00 AM

Title: New Australian 4C Review
Post by: ItalCarGuy on February 19, 2015, 10:15:00 AM
http://www.drive.com.au/new-car-reviews/alfa-romeo-4c-first-drive-review-20150217-13g104.html

Title: Re: New Australian 4C Review
Post by: aggie57 on February 19, 2015, 10:56:33 AM
Has anyone clocked a time in one at Phillip Island or Winton yet?  I'd be keen to know how it compares against the Elise and Cayman. 

And how come this test car got stuck with the early headlights? 
Title: Re: New Australian 4C Review
Post by: pasey25 on February 19, 2015, 11:12:59 AM
Quote from: aggie57 on February 19, 2015, 10:56:33 AM

And how come this test car got stuck with the early headlights?

isn't that the case for all the launch editions?
Title: Re: New Australian 4C Review
Post by: Victor Lee on February 19, 2015, 11:32:21 AM
This is a Launch Edition car and yes they all come with the Carbon Fibre spider lights as standard.

Seeing it in the flesh, these lights actually suit it!  And for years to come, it'll be the talking point of the car! ;D

Title: Re: New Australian 4C Review
Post by: alfamisa on February 19, 2015, 11:54:54 AM
Quote from: Victor Lee on February 19, 2015, 11:32:21 AM
This is a Launch Edition car and yes they all come with the Carbon Fibre spider lights as standard.

Seeing it in the flesh, these lights actually suit it!  And for years to come, it'll be the talking point of the car! ;D


I was invited to the 4C launch at Brighton Alfa last week and Victor I have to agree, in person the lights look great and appropriate. The exhaust sound inside the showroom up to the redline was awesome+.  8)

Quote from: aggie57 on February 19, 2015, 10:56:33 AM
Has anyone clocked a time in one at Phillip Island or Winton yet?  I'd be keen to know how it compares against the Elise and Cayman. 


As for PI lap time, not aware of one yet but maybe if you use this vid as a reference for half a lap, two up of course.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HkEJfQbz9I (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HkEJfQbz9I)

PS Have to luv(not) journos "road noise is high"...as a major part of the design brief for the 4C was lightness, therefore half as thick glass etc...or didn't he read the key points?

PSS Somewhere else on the forum there was criticism of Toyota Camrys holding up country drives like EMR, even on race tracks Celicas etc...true to form at 3.40 in the drive.com.au video there is cousin Corolla at it again!!! :P
Title: Re: New Australian 4C Review
Post by: aggie57 on February 20, 2015, 08:46:35 AM
Quote from: pasey25 on February 19, 2015, 11:12:59 AM
Quote from: aggie57 on February 19, 2015, 10:56:33 AM

And how come this test car got stuck with the early headlights?

isn't that the case for all the launch editions?

Sorry, my bad. All the ones I've seen here have the newer headlights. Must e something to do with US spec cars.

Victor - when do you pick yours up??
Title: Re: New Australian 4C Review
Post by: Victor Lee on February 21, 2015, 12:42:17 AM
TODAY!  ;D ;D ;D

After driving about 125kms today, I reckon the 4C is the modern version of our yellow race/road GTV6.  ;)

Non-assisted steering that follows the camber of the road.  Check!
Very firm and bumpy ride.  Check!
Not much interior insulation making the cabin hot.  Check!
LOUD interior cabin noise.   Check!
Hard to get in/out of.  Check!  (Getting better at it though)
Firm seats with limited adjustment.  Check!   (No height adjustment on the seats ... the drivers seat must be done by techs before delivery)
Very little cabin storage spaces.  Check!   (It does have the all important cup holders though ... two of them!)
Superb engine note.  Check!
Fantastic acceleration.  Check!   (But the computer is limiting it to 4000rpm until it's run it at 250kms)
Italian styling at its best.  Check!  (2 separate people told me today they found different design/style elements every time they looked at the car)

But the 4C does have air con, radio (bluetooth for phone calls, and inputs for USB, line-in and iPod) and electric windows.  AND of course that work-of-art carbon fibre tub.  Absolutely beautiful.

Did I mention the great styling?  It looked great in pictures, but even better in the flesh!


19th Feb is the launch day for the 4C in Australia.  Most media outlets had done some reviews but was embargoed for publication until this date.  Also cars could not be delivered until after this date.  So here's another review here: http://www.wheelsmag.com.au/reviews/1502/2015-alfa-romeo-4c-review/
This was the car seen in Lygon Street a few weeks back.

Title: Re: New Australian 4C Review
Post by: aggie57 on February 21, 2015, 11:50:05 AM
Quote from: Victor Lee on February 21, 2015, 12:42:17 AM
TODAY!  ;D ;D ;D

After driving about 125kms today, I reckon the 4C is the modern version of our yellow race/road GTV6.  ;)

Non-assisted steering that follows the camber of the road.  Check!
Very firm and bumpy ride.  Check!
Not much interior insulation making the cabin hot.  Check!
LOUD interior cabin noise.   Check!
Hard to get in/out of.  Check!  (Getting better at it though)
Firm seats with limited adjustment.  Check!   (No height adjustment on the seats ... the drivers seat must be done by techs before delivery)
Very little cabin storage spaces.  Check!   (It does have the all important cup holders though ... two of them!)
Superb engine note.  Check!
Fantastic acceleration.  Check!   (But the computer is limiting it to 4000rpm until it's run it at 250kms)
Italian styling at its best.  Check!  (2 separate people told me today they found different design/style elements every time they looked at the car)

But the 4C does have air con, radio (bluetooth for phone calls, and inputs for USB, line-in and iPod) and electric windows.  AND of course that work-of-art carbon fibre tub.  Absolutely beautiful.

Did I mention the great styling?  It looked great in pictures, but even better in the flesh!


19th Feb is the launch day for the 4C in Australia.  Most media outlets had done some reviews but was embargoed for publication until this date.  Also cars could not be delivered until after this date.  So here's another review here: http://www.wheelsmag.com.au/reviews/1502/2015-alfa-romeo-4c-review/
This was the car seen in Lygon Street a few weeks back.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Pictures please :)
Title: Re: New Australian 4C Review
Post by: Victor Lee on February 21, 2015, 07:04:51 PM
Pics here!
Title: Re: New Australian 4C Review
Post by: Victor Lee on February 21, 2015, 07:05:46 PM
Few more
Title: Re: New Australian 4C Review
Post by: Garibaldi on February 21, 2015, 09:00:19 PM
Congratulations Victor, it is a beautiful car. I am sure it will give you many years of motoring enjoyment. :) :)
Title: Re: New Australian 4C Review
Post by: aggie57 on February 21, 2015, 11:00:17 PM
 8) 8) 8)!

Great to see those plates on your 4C Victor, in your driveway.  I do look forward to a ride next trip home  :D
Title: Re: New Australian 4C Review
Post by: As the day goes on February 22, 2015, 05:56:35 AM
Congrats Vic!!!!

As I said elsewhere I hope to see it today on the Warby run.  I bet there will be fisty-cuffs to see who can drive behind you!!!

Title: Re: New Australian 4C Review
Post by: Brad M on February 22, 2015, 01:20:22 PM
Looks fantastic Victor!

Can't wait to be see it in the person.
Title: Re: New Australian 4C Review
Post by: hmd on February 23, 2015, 10:01:43 AM
Victor,

Looks like you are missing the letter 'C' at the end of your number plate  ;)
Title: Re: New Australian 4C Review
Post by: gtv6sv on February 23, 2015, 08:03:49 PM
This is just fantastic! I am in complete awe!  What a fantastic beautiful car! 
I will get one of these some time in the future!
Title: Re: New Australian 4C Review
Post by: Victor Lee on February 23, 2015, 08:06:13 PM
Quote from: hmd on February 23, 2015, 10:01:43 AM
Looks like you are missing the letter 'C' at the end of your number plate  ;)

Someone already got it!   But that style plate does not come in slimline size and it would have to have been attached to the bumper.
Title: Re: New Australian 4C Review
Post by: Brad M on February 23, 2015, 08:52:26 PM
Quote from: Victor Lee on February 23, 2015, 08:06:13 PM
Quote from: hmd on February 23, 2015, 10:01:43 AM
Looks like you are missing the letter 'C' at the end of your number plate  ;)

Someone already got it!   But that style plate does not come in slimline size and it would have to have been attached to the bumper.

Would this slimline plate fit in a similar fashion as your plates position?
Title: Re: New Australian 4C Review
Post by: Victor Lee on February 23, 2015, 09:47:55 PM
The plate on the car is 25.5cm wide x 10.5cm high.  The slim line Euro plate in the pic is 37.2cm high x 10cm high, so probably not.  The car does come with a bracket designed to fit the front left bumper bar and then your plates is fitted to that.  But it still looks large and bulky and doesn't suit the car.

With such great lines, the 4C designers made no provision for front number plates. In other places, no plates required and inversely some 4Cs have no option but to have a hideous large front plates.
Title: Re: New Australian 4C Review
Post by: massiveluvbuddy67 on February 24, 2015, 07:22:25 PM
 :) Very pleased for you and Mary! A great story for your family motoring history and for Alfa Vic. folk lore. I look forward to see it during Alfesta...

Now, I need an Alfa for Alfesta that is practicable and able to be driven, can I borrow one from your fleet?  ;D