Forget the usual suspects in the realm of passionate driving – the Boxsters, Miatas, or even Corvettes. If you crave a truly visceral and pure connection with the road, look no further than Italy, and specifically, the Alfa Romeo 4c Spider. My initial encounter with this machine was nothing short of a revelation, shattering preconceived notions of what a modern sports car should be. The 4C Spider isn’t just another sports car; it’s a throwback to a bygone era, a reminder of what elemental driving pleasure truly entails. Its mission is dual-fold: to deliver an unparalleled driving experience and to captivate with its stunning beauty. On both fronts, it succeeds spectacularly.
The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider immediately sets itself apart with its no-nonsense approach to driving. The seats are incredibly thin, crafted from composite frames, offering only basic adjustments – fore, aft, and a slight recline. The steering is purely manual, devoid of any power assistance. Starting the car involves selecting ‘1’ from the push-button transmission, then choosing between ‘M’ for manual or ‘A’ for automatic. The dual-clutch transmission is a marvel, arguably the closest you can get to an automated manual gearbox today, and in many ways, it elevates the driving experience beyond that of a traditional stick shift. A blip of the throttle ignites the 4C Spider, unleashing a sound that’s reminiscent of a Bugatti racing bike or a full-fledged race car, especially when equipped with the optional racing exhaust.
The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider possesses a personality that’s unmatched in the automotive world. It’s a raw, mid-engine race car at its core, and it makes no apologies for it. While its breathtakingly beautiful body might lead you to believe it’s a softer, more civilized machine – perhaps a baby Ferrari – it’s far closer in spirit to a Lotus Exige. This is a vehicle engineered for pure performance, stripped down to the essentials. Luxury takes a backseat, quite literally. The infotainment system is an optional, almost afterthought, Alpine unit perched on the dash. At idle, it’s barely audible, and once you’re moving, the glorious exhaust note completely drowns it out. Forget about a backup camera or navigation system – they are simply not part of the 4C Spider’s vocabulary. Phone syncing is possible, but practically useless when the engine is running; conversations are lost in the symphony of the engine. Air conditioning and heating are present, and the side windows operate with switches – these are the extent of the luxury appointments.
However, dismissing the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider for its lack of opulence is to completely miss the point. This is not a demerit; it’s a deliberate design choice. The 4C Spider is laser-focused on the driving experience. Behind the wheel, your entire being is consumed by the act of driving. The engine’s initial bark, followed by the guttural after-burble on upshifts, especially into second gear, is guaranteed to turn heads for blocks around. Push the accelerator to the floor, and the sound transforms into a race track roar, akin to dedicated track cars running at full tilt. The 4C Spider is an attention magnet, and it revels in it. As they say, “If you don’t want people looking at you, don’t go out dressed that way.”
Maneuvering the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider at parking speeds reveals its unassisted steering’s heft. You quickly learn to initiate turns while the car is in motion. But on the open road, this heavy steering transforms into an asset. The steering feel is phenomenal, offering an almost telepathic connection to the tarmac. You can feel every nuance of the road surface, from painted lane markers vibrating through your fingertips to the subtle tire scrub when cornering sharply. Acceleration lightens the steering as the front end lifts, while braking and turning bring the weight of the nose into focus. This level of feedback is something you must experience to truly appreciate; words struggle to do it justice.
The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider is not a dual-personality car; it’s a beast unleashed at all times. Yet, it paradoxically comes alive and sharpens its senses when you’re actively driving it, rather than simply cruising. On the highway, in a relaxed cruising mode, it can feel a bit restless, darting and reacting to every gust of wind and road imperfection. It requires constant attention to maintain a straight line. However, this very restlessness translates into incredible agility. Miss an exit? A quick glance, a clear road, and a sharp turn showcase the 4C Spider’s precision and responsiveness.
Around town, the same character persists. It feels almost squirrelly unless you drive with intent. Relax, and the car seems to trace every crack and ripple in the pavement. But find a series of tight S-turns and summon the courage to push your limits, and the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider becomes a scalpel, carving through corners with breathtaking precision. It feels like the best handling road car imaginable. That being said, this is emphatically not a grand tourer. Any stretch of rough pavement becomes a teeth-chattering experience. Railroad crossings feel like being thrown down stairs in a plastic bin. It’s a thrilling, albeit jarring, sensation you only endure once. You quickly learn to creep over truly damaged road surfaces. If there are actual springs in the 4C Spider’s suspension, it’s hard to believe; it feels like you’re riding directly on the chassis.
The acceleration of the 4C Spider is peculiar. Left in ‘A’ for automatic, it moves with a constant sense of urgency, every action sounding like you’re channeling Emerson Fittipaldi on a final lap. Regardless of your throttle input, it sounds and feels dramatic. Driving discreetly is simply not an option in the 4C Spider. Bystanders will inevitably assume you’re showing off. However, the actual thrust doesn’t always seem to match the auditory drama. Roll onto the throttle from a standstill, and the engine screams and abruptly shifts to second gear, but the acceleration is more firm than explosive. Keep the throttle buried, however, and speed builds rapidly, and you quickly run out of road. The 4C Spider is only truly quick when you treat the throttle like a switch – on or off. The 1750cc, 4-cylinder turbo engine, nestled behind you, produces a modest 237 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. In a car weighing a mere 2,500 pounds, this is more than sufficient for impressive performance figures. Yet, it lacks the brutal, sledgehammer-like acceleration from rest that you find in similarly priced cars like the BMW M4 or Camaro ZL1. A launch control system is available, enabling the Alfa to reach 60 mph in a claimed 4.1 seconds. The drive mode selector offers All-weather, Dynamic, Natural, and Racing options, promising varied driving experiences, which we eagerly anticipate testing further, especially on a track.
The 4C Spider’s slightly less explosive acceleration is, in fact, a virtue. Much like a Mazda Miata, this car’s thrills are accessible and enjoyable even at legal speeds on public roads. The sensation of speed is heightened, making you feel faster than you are. When you do unleash its full potential, the feeling is akin to flight, adrenaline surging through your veins. More than once, while enthusiastically driving the 4C Spider, a glimpse of a police car prompted a glance at the TFT speedometer, only to realize legal speed limits were still well within reach.
Alfa Romeo’s dedication to craftsmanship is evident throughout the 4C Spider. The carbon fiber elements are finished with a beautiful, glossy sheen. Even the windshield surround is crafted from carbon fiber, a detail that sets it apart. Compared to the BMW i8, which I recently drove, the 4C Spider seems to celebrate its carbon fiber construction more overtly. The i8’s exposed carbon fiber appeared almost industrial in comparison. The seats and interior of the 4C Spider exude a tailored, rather than manufactured, feel, setting a benchmark for cars in this price range. The exterior is replete with subtle touches that enhance its visual richness. Note the carbon fiber trim surrounding the lower intake vents on the side, or examine the purposeful front grille to appreciate the level of detail poured into the 4C Spider.
The interior of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider is remarkably compact, roughly the size of a Miata, but with a higher windshield line. There is no center armrest, and a comfortable resting place for the driver’s left arm is elusive. The high door sill worked for me (at 6 feet tall), but again, such minor inconveniences fade into insignificance when you realize both hands are needed for steering and shifting. The open-top experience of this targa-style convertible is, in my opinion, integral to the 4C Spider’s allure. Wind management is surprisingly effective, making highway drives enjoyable. If you’re considering a coupe 4C, I strongly urge you to try the Spider. A fixed roof would, I believe, diminish a significant part of the car’s appeal.
The roof itself is a roll-out fabric top, more akin to a tent, and not designed for in-car operation. It stows in the boot behind the engine, consuming about a third of the available space. This reinforces the 4C Spider’s identity as a fair-weather car, or one you can venture out in on a questionable day, knowing the top is there as a backup.
The test car was equipped with the optional racing exhaust. On the highway, it’s so loud that earplugs became a serious consideration. Around town, after an hour, the noise can be mentally fatiguing. If Alfa Romeo offered a more comfortable seat (at least with lumbar support), a backup camera, and an exhaust note control button, similar to those found in the Jaguar F-Type and other vehicles, it would be a compelling improvement.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, now Stellantis, boasts a US lineup brimming with personality, and the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider fits perfectly within a company that produces Vipers, Hellcats, Jeeps, Ferraris, and Fiats. These are vehicles that grab your attention and demand to be driven with passion. The 4C Spider is the quintessential weekend fun car and track-day weapon. Experience the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, and even if you don’t end up purchasing one, you’ll leave with a renewed appreciation that true, unadulterated sports cars still exist.
2015 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider
Options:
- Rosso Alfa $1,500
- Convenience Package $1,800
- Carbon Fiber Cluster Bezel $300
- Racing Exhaust $500
- Xenon Headlamps $1,000
Price: $70,595 including destination
Likes:
- Exterior Design
- No Excuses Personality
Dislikes
- Driver’s Seat Comfort
- Highway Noise (From Optional Exhaust)
Photography by John Goreham
