Skip advert
Advertisement

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

With a carbon fibre chassis, unassisted steering and those looks, how can the 4C fail to impress?

Evo rating
RRP
from £53,255
  • Incredible looks and an exotic chassis
  • Steering, engine, steering, cabin quality and steering

Prices and rivals 

The 4C is, undoubtedly, expensive considering it’s rival and how competent they are. The Coupe starts at £53,255 while the Spider is £7000 more at £60,255.

Since the demise of the naturally aspirated flat six from the Boxster and Cayman, the Porsches can no longer trump the 4C in terms of powertrains so considerably. We have only driven Porsche’s new turbocharged four cylinder in the 718 Boxster, and although it doesn’t match the old engine it is far nicer than the Alfa’s very industrial feeling motor. The 718 is also a far more resolved, fun and satisfying car to drive than the 4C and is significantly cheaper. The 718 Cayman S is £48,834, while the Boxster S is £50,695.

Advertisement - Article continues below

In terms of price, the 4C Spider is on a par with the Porsche Boxster Spyder. With a more driver-focused chassis, a back to basics interior and roof, it’s more like the hardcore Alfa. But, with the atmospheric flat six engine from a Carrera and an intuitive and natural driving experience it destroys the 4C.

If the Porsche’s are too soft for your tastes, then the Lotus Exige should placate you. Like the Alfa they do without assisted steering, but instead of ruining the way they drive it only enhances it. The Exige’s aluminum chassis might not be as exotic as the Alfa’s but it still keeps the Lotus’s weight down to 1166kg; considering its supercharged V6 that’s an impressive figure. The Exige isn’t just an extremely talented road car though, it’s well within its abilities on a track too. An Exige S Coupe is £55,450, so a bit more than the hard-top 4C, but the Roadster is cheaper than the Spider at £56,450.

Often considerably more expensive, less capable and with uninspiring engine, the 4C doesn’t stack up very well next to it’s rivals; that’s the price you pay for a carbon fibre chassis.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Ford Focus ST (Mk3) – the car world's greatest misses
Ford Focus ST Mk3
Features

Ford Focus ST (Mk3) – the car world's greatest misses

We’d hoped the 2015 Focus ST would share a good dose of its little brother’s magic. Sadly, it didn’t
28 Apr 2025
The Ferrari 296 Speciale has arrived, and it could be the most thrilling Ferrari ever
Ferrari 296 Speciale – front
News

The Ferrari 296 Speciale has arrived, and it could be the most thrilling Ferrari ever

The 296 Speciale is the latest in Ferrari's line of mid-engined road racers, packing 868bhp and LaFerrari-beating pace on track
29 Apr 2025
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale 2025 review – a rare Italian jewel beyond compare
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale front
Reviews

Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale 2025 review – a rare Italian jewel beyond compare

What’s Alfa Romeo’s near-£2m hand-built supercar like to drive? We find out, on the Balocco test track
29 Apr 2025