This is the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider. The powertrain is identical to the 4C we know and love: a 237bhp turbo’d four-pot that can hurl the 4C to 62mph in 4.5sec and over 155mph flat out. So, let’s concentrate on what’s new…
Alfa Romeo 4C Spider: the changes
You get a soft-top roof to cover the Spider’s cabin, which now features more exposed carbonfibre. Despite the intrinsic strength of the 4C’s carbon tub, Alfa admits it’s had to make some strengthening tweaks to the 4C to cope with being decapitated, with the net result being a 60kg weight increase.
As we’ve said, that doesn’t impact on the car’s acceleration, which is accessed via a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. There’s no manual option, and there never will be, so dry your eyes and enjoy the paddles.
>> Click here to read CAR’s Alfa 4C vs Porsche Cayman vs Lotus Elise verdict
Gone are the insect-eye headlight clusters that caused such a storm when the hard-top 4C was unveiled. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne told CAR that the switch was worth it to save €4m – not any more, it seems.
The 4C Spider’s headlights are less jarring units that ape the original concept car’s clusters. Alfa insiders say there’s no reason the Spider’s new lights can’t be retrofitted to existing 4C coupes. Same goes for the new alloy wheels – and the exhaust system.
What’s going on with the tail pipes?
The 4C Spider has a centrally mounted twin-pipe system, manufactured by Slovenia’s trick exhaust specialists Akrapovic. The pipes, which are fashioned from carbon and titanium, give the 4C a more intimidating bark, says Alfa, which can be encouraged or quietened by pushing a button inside the two-seater cockpit.
Yummy!
Want one? The car doesn’t go into production until 2015, but we’d be snappy getting your order in if you want to spend summer 2015 in this rather stunning lightweight roadster. Price? You won’t be getting change from £50,000…