2018 ALFA ROMEO 4C

Status: Unchanged for 2018 – Fiat Chrysler’s mid-engine sports car is light on its feet, quick off the mark and was and born and bred in Maserati and Ferrari’s back yard. The 4C coupe was joined by a Spider (roadster) version for 2016 that weighs a mere 10 kilograms more than the coupe. Both share a unique design, beginning with basic body structure made of lightweight carbon fiber. Attached to it are aluminum front and rear sub-frames for the engine, suspension and non-power steering system. Lastly, the fiberglass-ish body panels are attached. A turbocharged 1.7-litre four-cylinder engine producing 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque is a 4C staple. The sole transmission is a six-speed automated manual with steering-column-mounted paddle shifters. Alfa claims zero-to-60-mph (96 km-h) acceleration takes just 4.1 seconds using an electronic “launch control” system that produces quick starts with virtually no wheel spin. A “DNA selector system” sets the throttle, transmission and brakes to Natural (comfort); All-Weather (for slippery roads); Dynamic (sharpens accelerator response and reduces stability control interference); or Race (deactivates traction and stability control and is the required setting for launch control). All 4Cs include most of the basics, but an assortment of optional equipment includes a race-tuned suspension with special muffler-less exhaust, sport seats, carbon-fibre rear spoiler and numerous dress-up items.