Snap, crackle and pop
steel roll- bar behind the two occupants.
The 4C sits just centimetres off the ground and, with a front angled spoiler positioned about 100mm above the tarmac, you have to slowly navigate speed bumps. Driveways with steep curbs are out of bounds.
With a wide lip, entering and exiting the 4C is typical of such sports cars as the McLaren 560 C and Lotus Elise. You place one leg over the sill, flick your bottom into the seat then move your other leg in. To exit gracefully ( especially, if like me, if you’re wearing dress or skirt), you quickly put your leg out, place your hand on the sill to lever yourself and, as you start to stand, remove your other leg.
The 4C has no power steering which, on the positive side, means you get an upper body workout, but on the negative side means driving at low speed or trying to park is tough on you.
Slotted behind the cabin, the engine is showcased under glass and being so close to passenger and driver, means you get that turbo sound track up close and personal.
To keep weight down, the Alfa uses little sound- deadening material and has thin glass on the windows which means you’ll be getting lots of road, wind and engine noise.
You can forget the stereo ( which really is more of an after- thought than entertainment centre) to drown out the road noise, instead you should listen to the delightful crackle and pop cacophony of the turbo engine which alerts pedestrians to your presence.
And you can’t be shy if you own a 4C. I had drivers ( tsk, tsk) and passengers taking smartphone shots of the car, while a carload of young guys followed very close on the motorway so they could check out the car.
Parked, I had pedestrians asking me for a ride, though one of those fans who was approaching the 4C from behind, originally thought it was a Ferrari — a frequent comment due to the Alfa’s curved rear bumpers.
Although it may look like a baby Ferrari, the Alfa 4C has a very individual look and appeal. It’s priced to compete with the likes of the Porsche Boxster and Cayman, Jaguar’s F- Type coupe and height wise could match the Lotus Elise.
There isn’t much like it on our Alfa Romeo 4C: have wings, will fly. roads but tamer versions of this sports car include Toyota’s GT86 and Mazda’s MX- 5 2- litre.
But let’s be clear — while the F- Type, Cayman and GT86 could be used frequently, the Alfa Romeo 4C is not a daily drive.
The rear boot is deep but narrow and fits about three full bags of shopping. Just don’t put the white