Goodwood Festival of Speed 2013: The Alfa Romeo 4C

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2013: The Alfa Romeo 4C

It might seem like quite some time since news first broke of Alfa Romeo’s foray into the world of lightweight, nimble and fast coupes with the curvy new 4C, but judging by the sheer depth of crowds around the show car, public interest is still at a peak.

The Alfa stand at Goodwood certainly couldn’t be called small, but it was heaving with people wanting to look at and photograph the deep-red 4C coupe on show. There’s something about a new Alfa that us petrol-heads just seemingly can’t resist.

In the metal, well, in the carbon fibre reinforced plastic, the new 2-seater, mid-rear-engine coupe looked lithe and ready for action. A feast of curves, air intakes and power-bulges, the 4C uses lightweight construction and a small turbocharged petrol engine to deliver its Italian excitement.

Some viewers are saying that the headlights are lacking in upmarket style – looking a little like an afterthought – but I’m not so sure. For me, the black-backed collection of peering, small LED bulbs and twin piercing projectors look purposeful and modern. Indeed, if the only complaint is the headlights, the Alfa designers have clearly done a great job!

Also on show near the completed car is a stripped down look at the 4C’s aluminium chassis tub. Light, stiff and beautifully crafted, looking at this chassis-art you start to understand where some of the car’s circa-£50k price tag comes from. The Alfa Romeo 4C is a beautiful race car from the ground up.

Posted by Louise Clark