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Everything we wanted a lightweight Italian sports car to be, right down to the traditional Alfa flaws

Good stuff

Looks, performance, carbon chassis

Bad stuff

Engine and gearbox, not as good to drive as it should be, noisy, interior finish

Overview

What is it?

The 4C is nothing less than the most important Alfa Romeo for an entire generation. Mid-engined, and with a carbon fibre chassis that’s pretty damn close to the one at the heart of the McLaren 675LT, it vaults this lovely but perennially underachieving Italian brand straight into the big league. It also poses some interesting philosophical questions. Alfa insists that the 4C is a junior supercar, but can it really justify the big talk when there’s a four-cylinder, turbocharged 1.7-litre engine in there? Even if it comes up a bit short on that front, does its 42mpg average fuel consumption and 157g/km CO2 emissions make up for it?

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Our choice from the range

What's the verdict?

The 4C is seductive, sexy, and highly desirable. But it’s still an Alfa, so it’s a flawed gem.

The Rivals

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