(http://www.blogcdn.com/uk.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/alfa4cconcept.jpg)
Looks like the rumours were true:
http://uk.autoblog.com/2011/03/01/geneva-motor-show-alfa-4c-concept/
More pics here... http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/motorshows/geneva-motor-show/264925/alfas_4c_concept_makes_an_entrance.html
Will probably be a great drivers car if the specifications quoted are correct. I'm not sure I'd call it beautiful, but please, please produce it Alfa!!
I've been holding back not wanting to comment and let things roll, you know, don't stirr the pot so to speak. I had friendly talk to myself and I regret to say, the other guy won.
It's crap.
The mechanicals might stand a chance of being interesting but as for the body design, a dog's breakfast comes close.
Blame the other guy.. :D
I like it, purposeful look to it .. reminds me of a Lotus Elise.
Mechanically sounds like it would be a lot of fun. I'd have one in an instant.
Quote from: MD on March 01, 2011, 10:53:27 PM
It's crap.
The mechanicals might stand a chance of being interesting but as for the body design, a dog's breakfast comes close.
I reckon a composite chassis, a car that weighs less than 850kg and is mid-engined with 250bhp, gets to 100km/h in under 5 seconds and will top 240km/h is pretty darn interesting. I thought this kind of car was what you were after in this thread...http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=6412.msg36878#msg36878
They need to make it a targa though, like the Elise. Oh yeah, and build it ten years ago. And make it prettier. That is all.
Alfa...two doors...composite chassis...mid-engine, equals time to sell the X-1/9!
I could live with the look of the front, but it will take me some time to get used to the back, and those tail-lights?
An Elise with Alfa styling cues. This has zero style. Shame Alfa, shame.
What's with the frosty paint job?
Guess we should thank Alfa for junk like this as it must increase the value of our older classics.
Please Alfa. Remember la dolce vita? Please return to the fifties and sixties. How can this crap come from the company that made the 6C 2500, or heart be still. The Typo 33 Stradale. Easily holds 7 of the top 10 places for most beautiful machine ever built by man.
1950-1970 without a single styling dud. Now we get this crap.
Quote from: monoman on March 02, 2011, 12:10:51 AM
An Elise with Alfa styling cues. This has zero style. Shame Alfa, shame.
How do you figure that? Because it's a mid-engined small car? Is the Fiat X-1/9 or Toyota MR2 a pre-emptive Elise copy? Although I would agree that this Alfa is not overly stylish.
Quote from: monoman on March 02, 2011, 12:10:51 AM
What's with the frosty paint job?
It's a concept car, they're trying to make it look nice for photographers. Shame Alfa, shame.
Quote from: monoman on March 02, 2011, 12:10:51 AM
How can this crap come from the company that made the 6C 2500, or heart be still. The Typo 33 Stradale. Easily holds 7 of the top 10 places for most beautiful machine ever built by man.
The 6C 2500 and the 33 Stradale were both produced in very limited numbers, for a select clientele, and were both
extremely expensive. This car is designed to sell 4,000 per year. An unfair comparison in my opinion.
Quote from: monoman on March 02, 2011, 12:10:51 AM
1950-1970 without a single styling dud. Now we get this crap.
What are you trying to say here, can you enlighten me please? Should Alfa forget the last 40 years of its history?
Sheldon,
My first impression was that it looked like an Elise. I wasn't the only one to make that observation.
I don't share your view that the frosty paint is an attempt by Alfa to make it look good for the photographers. Is frosty the new matt black? Hope not.
Perhaps you should read what I wrote again. I did not compare that thing to the 6C 2500 or the Typo 33.
What I am saying about the 50s and 60s is that they were Alfa's design best, and that this thing isn't up to that lofty standard. How you could twist that into suggesting I am dismissing the last 40 years of Alfa's history is beyond me.
Hope you found that enlightening.
A bit more info from the website " Italiaspeed" dated 1/3/2011. Interesting to note VW is still expressing an interest in getting it's hands on Alfa Romeo. VW chairman Ferdinand Piech claiming in VW hands Alfa production could rise from 110,000 cars anually to 400,000 cars in 2016. Only to be engaged in a "pissing contest" from Sergio Marchionne from fiat who believes in Fiat's hands production will rise to 500,000 units . I think Alfa Romeo has had enough "help from Fiat". Would be nice to see what VW could do.
http://www.italiaspeed.com/ ( sorry about the general nature of the hyperlink)
PS:Look for the video on the page
It is a bit different, I can see the Lotus design theme here.
However I am pleased to see that at least there will be a some what limited production run (if all true).
The 159 series spider etc are tourers and there is no other product that is a roadster - so this is a good start.
My favourite is the Diva style.
When the 1900 appeared Alfisti said "shame on you Alfa - mass market". When the 105 appeared Alfisti said "shame on you Alfa - too bland". When the Alfasud appeared Alfisti said "shame on you Alfa - too far south AND FWD". When the Alfetta GT appeared Alfisti said........
Well, yep I made some of that up but my point is made. I'd have one 100 times before a current FWD Alfa (with apologies to Damon and Jeremy.....!). After the crap that Fiat are doing to Lancia this at least looks like they have a heart. BUt 850kg?? Even with Carbon that sounds incredibly light. Maybe the marketing guys got a bit carried away.... ;)
I'm not against the concept of the car. Nor do I dislike everything about the design. I'm all for technical and stylistic innovation, but this thing just doesn't work for me. Anyway, how is one supposed to spend hours waxing and polishing that photographer-friendly frosty paint?
Current Alfa's are exercises in minimalist design. Less is more. The Brera, GT and 159 are elegantly beautiful expressions of Italian style and would be unmistakeably Alfas even without the badges, grill and wheels. That mysterious blend of leading edge design, not bleeding edge, classic lines and design clues to its past.
John,
Yes. Love the Diva.
Cheers
Quote from: Frank Musco on March 02, 2011, 12:00:54 AM
I could live with the look of the front, but it will take me some time to get used to the back
Is that any better?
(http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/4c-live03.jpg)
Yeah I could live with that rear end nice and chunky
Evan
Congrats on introducing the topic. Sort of waking a somewhat dormant Forum of late. Excellent.
I never said I didn't like the mechanical specs.
The presentation of the mechanicals is where the picture fades into something instantly forgettable.
Whatever gains in design and acceptance the recent spate of FWD Alfas have made, this front end has just taken it backwards. To complete the design theme for the front, they could ad a coat hanger and date roll.
Without more repetition, my views are pretty much aligned with monoman (with apologies for your suffering monoman).
...but oh so beautifully rounded... ;) Wot? pep105, oh! you were taking about the car!
I reckon if this was the new concept from (insert favourite non-Alfa brand here), then it would be great. But there is definately something about it that lacks the usual Alfa charm. It may be trying to be a mini 8C, but falls short of the mark somehow.
Hopefully with the car going into production, they may fine tune the shape a bit to keep the car uniquely Alfa but mainstream.
As mentioned previously on the thread, the 105 coupe was heavily criticised because of the styling change from 101 series. Thankfully that was all quickly forgotten and since then has become one of the worlds great cars.
It looks to me to be a cross between a modern FWD GTV and the 8C.
am i the only one that finds this completely awesome?
mainstream hardcore track rwd car by 2012. good stuff ALFA!
Quote from: wankski on March 02, 2011, 03:15:17 PM
am i the only one that finds this completely awesome?
mainstream hardcore track rwd car by 2012. good stuff ALFA!
No mate. I cannot see how anyone could complain about Alfa producing a car like this.
The styling is edgier than the companies offerings of the last many years and I believe it works very, very well. I also think a revvy 4 cylinder engine links the heritage of Alfas past, with the modem trend for economical, small capacity engines. Great stuff.
Well track car or otherwise I do not think I could cope with these alternatives :
I played around in photoshop to see if it would look better in black. Maybe slightly better, and would possibly look even better in gloss, but I'm not that good at photoshop.
Ok, here is a prototype from the 1960's with the Dino style theme current at the time - and another Alfa possibility never to hit the road but similar cred. A TZ prototype track car.
Far out John, were you out having a whizz when we all learnt how to attach photos? Those thumbnails of yours are hopeless.
Will improve after training.
Sheldon, can you paint mine in Alfa Red.
Thanks
Neil
The Japs aren't going to take this sitting down. They have rapidly assembled an itchy mickey design team and come up with a hot contender.
It's got more payload. Easy polish spray on enamel (environmentally friendly green too). Carries the entire table tennis team in the back and a small mascot dog. With the cheese cutter tyres pumped to 45PSI, it gets 66miles to the gallon. Great disguise in a loading zone and the trade in values are through the roof.
My money is on the Japs... ;D
Sheldon good work with photoshop, it looks alot better in black. Would love to have this car. Not as good to look at as the GT but sounds like it would be great dynamically. Those dodge/chrysler concepts with alfa badges had me running for the chuck bucket :-X
Quote from: Sheldon McIntosh on March 02, 2011, 09:12:01 AM
Quote from: Frank Musco on March 02, 2011, 12:00:54 AM
I could live with the look of the front, but it will take me some time to get used to the back
Is that any better?
Sheldon, with that view in mind I now see that rear end is flawless, thanks for correcting me. Also nice work in photoshop, looks grouse in black, like to see it in Sprint green?
Love the Diva. Looks like an awesome track car. Give the Lotus Elise a scare.
Quote from: MD on March 02, 2011, 07:32:04 PM
The Japs aren't going to take this sitting down. They have rapidly assembled an itchy mickey design team and come up with a hot contender.
It's got more payload. Easy polish spray on enamel (environmentally friendly green too). Carries the entire table tennis team in the back and a small mascot dog. With the cheese cutter tyres pumped to 45PSI, it gets 66miles to the gallon. Great disguise in a loading zone and the trade in values are through the roof.
My money is on the Japs... ;D
Very funny MD, but we all know it won't have a soul, but everything will work, clinically, and what fun is that?
Mechanically, Alfa should have design themselves, in-house, an ALL ALLOY BOXER, Flat four, you know those square motors with two heads, to lower center of gravity or something like that, with a new transaxle for this car.
I want one.
Sheldon, Thanks for my new screen saver. I wont be able to sleep tonight...and I think I just wet my pants.
Amazing what happens when you get the right colour hey Frank?
Thanks Pep, you know I love my green. :D
Quote from: Frank Musco on March 02, 2011, 11:28:18 PM
Sheldon, Thanks for my new screen saver. I wont be able to sleep tonight...and I think I just wet my pants.
Front or back?
How did Alfa manage to get away with "never mind it doesn't work, it's got soul". Last time I was stuck by the side of the road late at night with the selespeed stuck fucknose what gear, I can remember that little voice inside saying, "at least it's got soul"
It's not too bad in that green actually.
Quote from: monoman on March 02, 2011, 11:49:22 PM
How did Alfa manage to get away with "never mind it doesn't work, it's got soul".
I tell my girlfriend every time we get in an Alfa "It would be boring if every trip didn't have that ever-present threat of a breakdown". She doesn't share my enthusiasm for the thought though for some reason....
To think some people say women are irrational.
Soul describes all the driving quirks just fine. Arsehole describes it when it won't go.
Back to the 4C. It's not my cup of tea, but I have no problem with others liking it. Kind of like Iike Ferraris but can't stand LOOK AT ME lambos.
Quote from: monoman on March 02, 2011, 11:49:22 PM
Quote from: Frank Musco on March 02, 2011, 11:28:18 PM
Sheldon, Thanks for my new screen saver. I wont be able to sleep tonight...and I think I just wet my pants.
Front or back?
How did Alfa manage to get away with "never mind it doesn't work, it's got soul". Last time I was stuck by the side of the road late at night with the selespeed stuck fucknose what gear, I can remember that little voice inside saying, "at least it's got soul"
No, I'm O.K, I just spilt my coffee...crisis over. I'm happy you know about the soul, I too have been on the left contemplating this whole soul thing on the side of the road.
Sheldon, one day I'll convert someone, but for now I'll keep flying the green flag. Come on, it's 1/3 of the Italian Flag!
Go the 4C!
Say what ya like - if the specs are close, I dont care what colour it is..... I dont care if Fiat make it...... I'll put my deposit down as soon as I can (I suspect that a blown 18 inch wont fit in the boot of this one either when you use the spacesaver - but THATS part of the soul or so I tell myself)
I thought the Alfa styling was crap until I saw the new BMW...
I'm having trouble holding back the pizza and the sixpack after seeing the front end..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPVmWAUv2cg&feature=player_embedded (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPVmWAUv2cg&feature=player_embedded)
It's gorgeous
I see Lotus, Spyker, 8c, Zagato, tz... sex, arguments, Alfa
Every Alfa i've loved has had her faults and downright temperamental indifference.
Every single one
No half measures
If this comes in RHD, it will join the Duetto.
The rest of you are false prophets
:)
Quote from: alfagtv100 (Biggus) on March 03, 2011, 10:40:40 PM
I wonder how it would look in Corolla Baby Shit Brown?
Haha. I do vaguely remember that colour, you probably have a better idea of it nowadays than I do. I just did one that approximated the colour of my cat's shit after he'd had a night on the turps.
Quote from: Craig_m67 on March 04, 2011, 12:03:41 AM
It's gorgeous
I see Lotus
Spyker
8c, Zagato, tz
... sex
arguments
Alfa
Fixed Changed that for
you my amusement. Now it's an e.e. cummings poem. Tried to make it a haiku, but this was easier.
And it's beautiful, nice work Craig_m67.
Fiat had the ability to make quite nice sports cars once. Wonder when the wheels fell off the design board.. :(
Perverts. Niiice stance!
bit late with my comments, referring to Sheldon's chunky butt photo
Hi guys ,
Alfa never ceases to amaze with the all new 4C. It just goes to show a company with such deep roots in Design and Engineering innovation never runs out of beautiful cars to produce.
i sure with its power to weight and weight distribution the 4C will be a awesome car to drive .
Here is a link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMJthHwsrV0
Viva Alfa
I much prefer the computer enhanced version based on the Stradale
Without wanting to rattle MD's cage up in Queensland
QuoteI've been holding back not wanting to comment and let things roll, you know, don't stirr the pot so to speak. I had friendly talk to myself and I regret to say, the other guy won.
It's crap.
It looks like they are also considering spider version
http://www.gmotors.co.uk/news/alfa-romeo-4c-spider-rendered-world-debut-in-frankfurt/
Hey Paul, you sure know how to hurt a guy. ;D ;D
BTW: We don't use a cage up here. We use a tin-you know, the same tin that Rin Tin Tin shit in.. :D :D :D
I'm curious as to what people think about the 8c, seeing as every new Alfa is now designed to look like it.
I'm not a great fan...it looks a bit delicate, and the front end looks like one of the rejected options from the Subaru Tribeca.
I do think it sounds good, but then so does every other Maserati.
Come on Alfa...how about something different?