Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe and Spider review - it may look like a miniature supercar, but does it drive like one?

Arguably the 4C will never live up to the colossal expectations we put on it. It’s a small, rear drive, sports car with unassisted steering and a carbon fibre chassis. If that isn’t tantalising enough, it looks like a miniature Italian supercar. But above all, it’s an Alfa Romeo; a brand that despite not really having properly catered for enthusiasts since the 80s still has a reputation for being the connoisseur’s choice.

The 4C doesn’t just fall short of our hopes it thoroughly disappoints. The focussed nature that the exotic carbon chassis and unassisted steering promise, is not something the 4C delivers on. There are times where the 4C is enjoyable, but the window is so narrow you rarely get to appreciate it.

However, that doesn’t stop it looking so incredible, nor does it stop it being an Alfa and that will be enough for some.

At £7000 more, the Spider is significantly costlier than the Coupe. As they are predominantly the same car, just one has a removable roof, it doesn’t seem worth the premium.

The Spider gets a different set of headlights though. They are much more like lights on the original concept and are much prettier than the units on the Coupe. But, £7000 is still a lot for some headlights.

‘The parpy exhaust note is entertaining in moderation, if not as cultured as those of six-cylinder rivals from Porsche and Lotus, and the styling will always be a highlight.’ David Vivian