The Alfa Romeo 4C sports car is just now arriving on our shores, yet parent-company Fiat’s R&D chief Harald Wester is already thinking about higher-powered derivatives. He recently told us that the 4C’s off-the-shelf 237-hp, turbocharged 1.75-liter four-cylinder engine has more potential: “We are only at 136 horsepower per liter, so there is space.”
We’d never argue against more power, especially when it’s added to a sweet-driving ride like the 4C. Reassuringly, Wester also confirmed that the car’s structure could handle more power: “The stiffness is very high. The first adjustment would be the brakes.”
Sadly, neither Europeans nor Americans will be able to get a manual transmission: “It messes up the entire architecture, and it would ruin the monocoque.” Wester also said that the decision to go for the dual-clutch automatic was triggered both by packaging and strategic considerations.
The R&D chief also elaborated on the 4C’s required preparations for U.S. sales, a process that apparently required significant adjustments. As Wester puts it, “the monocoque and the front and rear frames are different, the suspension has been reinforced, and suspension tuning has been changed.”
- 2014 Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe Driven: A Lancia Stratos for the Rest of Us
- 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550 4MATIC Coupe Driven: Raising the Flag
- Alfa Romeo 4C Research: Full Pricing, Specs, Reviews, and More
Some changes were marketing related: “The base car in the U.S. has richer equipment” because Americans like their comfort, and “Europeans are more willing to have a naked driving machine.” Clothed or otherwise, we’re just glad the Alfa 4C is coming here at all—and we’ll be awaiting the higher-output version with rich anticipation.
from Car and Driver Blog http://ift.tt/1oieqY9
via IFTTT
