SYDNEY: Alfa Romeo’s 4C Coupe has finally arrived in Australia, almost four years after the new model broke ground in concept form at the Geneva Motor Show.
Australian buyers got their first look at the 4C at Phillip Island around a year ago, which is also when the model was anticipated to arrive in local showrooms.
It’s a whole year late, but those keen to secure a 4C for their garage can now do so, with prices starting from a surprising $89,000 plus on-road costs.
The earliest customers can also choose to part with $109,000 plus on-roads for a Launch Edition, which will be ‘initially’ limited in Australia to just 75 units (from a worldwide production run of 1,300).
Local buyers get the same ‘Formula 1-inspired’ technology and the same 1.75 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 177kW and 350Nm; with 80 percent of torque available from 1700 RPM.
Alfa’s twin-clutch six-speed automatic is the only transmission on offer. Hooked up to the 1.75 litre turbo, it can have the 4C sprinting from rest to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds, and on its way to a top speed of 257km/h.
The Alfa DNA (Dynamic, Natural or All-Weather) selector with added ‘Race’ mode also features in the 4C.
Race setting deactivates the electronic stability control (ESC) and traction control (‘anti-slip regulation’) while switching the transmission to manual mode. It also allows launch control to be set.
An automatic transmission mode is available to the driver in Dynamic, Natural or All-weather modes.
Sitting on a carbon-fibre platform, the 4C is 4000mm long, 1860mm wide and 1180mm high, with a drag coefficient of 0.335 and a weight of just 1,025kg.
Customers opting for the 4C Launch Edition get a host of features above and beyond the ‘standard’ model, including a Rosso Alfa or Madreperla White paint finish, carbon-fibre rear spoiler and mirror caps, race suspension tuning with front and rear sway bars and shock absorbers along with a racing exhaust.
The Launch Edition also gets matte black 18-inch alloys up front with 19-inch at the rear, red brake callipers and an array of carbon-fibre interior appointments.
“Coupled with our dealers, we are thrilled to be bringing this sensational new Alfa Romeo to Australia,” Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Australia President and CEO, Pat Dougherty, said.
“The 4C marks the dawn of an exciting new era for Alfa Romeo. This is a true Italian supercar offered at a price that is within reach of many Australians. [It’s] the first of an outstanding fleet of Alfa Romeo products and all will share the 4C’s focus on style, performance and luxury.”
Deliveries for the 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe to Australian customers begin from next month.
