In the first half of 2015, the production of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider began, a logical continuation of the Alfa Romeo 4C coupe, a compact two-seat sports car produced since 2013. The car, like its base model, has a carbon monocoque body, which made it very light, although the Spider is 10 kilograms heavier due to the removable top design elements.
The removable roof is easily removed by one person and fits into the trunk. Although, of course, it takes up a lot of space in the trunk. This pre-production variation of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spyder was able to debut at the Detroit Auto Show. The entire range of Alfa Romeo.
Appearance
The exterior of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider is a real highlight of this car. However, if we recall the history of the development of an automobile company, then very often its cars were criticized, while other people often admired what the Italians produced and designed. Based on this, I would like to describe the appearance of the Italian car as objectively as possible.
The nose part has a short hood and original oval optics, which in turn in most cases resemble sports cars of the German company Porsche (for example, Porsche Carrera GT or Porsche Boxster). There is also a powerful bumper, which contains a unique triangular false radiator grille, large air intakes.
It is clear that all this looks quite unusual. Only after looking at the front of the car do you begin to understand why there are so many disputes around Alfa Romeo cars. The side of the car has powerful cases of external rear-view mirrors, which were installed on large legs. You can also see unique doors with attractive stampings and strokes that perfectly flow into the massive air duct.
The presence of ideal wheel arch radii successfully completes the image, but does not make it possible to form a single review that concerns this car. They can fit 17 or 19 inch wheels. As a separate option, it is possible to order in what color the brake calipers will be painted. Available in black, red, metallic and yellow. By the way, it is worth noting that the body itself can be painted in one of 7 colors.
The stern has an equally strange appearance due to the incomprehensible shape of the trunk compartment, a lean bumper with a diffuser, a non-standard optical light amplification system, which looks a bit like the rear lamps of the Nissan GT-R. By the way, it will not be superfluous to mention that they now have LED performance.
Optionally, you can order a different Akrapovic sports exhaust system. In reality, it is not so easy to describe the appearance of an Italian cabriolet, because it is too non-standard and does not look like any modern car in the automotive industry. Accordingly, just for such characteristics, many love the Italian company Alfa Romeo.
The Italians do not use already existing standards, they design the most unusual, albeit controversial, cars in the whole world. If we compare the car with the coupe variant 4C, then the convertible has got only a removable roof.
Interior
Getting inside the interior of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, you immediately understand that it is in full compliance with the external appearance - everything is unique, strange and original. The seats have obvious sporty notes and the required degree of lateral support. Manufacturers made elements of high quality materials.
I was pleased with the presence of an electric drive for settings, which only adds additional advantages to these chairs. It was nice to find a pedal block that is made of aluminum. It may seem strange, but the steering wheel turned out to be a regular shape, although it was expected to be multifunctional.
However, it received a natural undercut at the bottom, which can be found in sports cars and a quality leather trim. The gearbox control is located on the same steering wheel. It's nice that the steering column is adjustable in height and depth. A large electronic display flaunts on the front panel, which displays basic information about the car, speed, fuel consumption and more.
The console, located in the center, received decorations in the form of impressive air ducts, climate control units, Alpine audio system and other car options. An electro-acoustic option provides the ability to connect multimedia devices: Bluetooth calls, support for a USB connector, an interface for iPod and CD / MP3. What's more, the Alpine radio system gives you access to HD and Sirius XM Radio.
Interestingly, the center-mounted console is turned slightly towards the driver's side, which is a very wise decision and makes it easier to control and access various keys and controls. Needless to say, the Spider was built around a carbon fiber monocoque. A similar one was also used in the compartment version 4C.
When the question arose about the roof, the engineers decided to make it from fabric, which made it possible to significantly reduce the weight of the entire structure. But you will need to forget about the automated folding and unfolding of the roof - since now all these actions are carried out only mechanically by hand. Italian engineers and designers have thought of everything and it will not be difficult to equip it in the luggage compartment.
But here, too, it was not without a fly in the ointment - a similar fabric construction will take up a small amount of free space in the luggage compartment, which is only 100 liters. Such transformations made it possible to increase the weight of the convertible by the smallest 10 kg. Therefore, as a result of all the improvements, the total weight of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider is only 905 kg.
Generally speaking, the interior of the Italian is inspired by the world of racing and has been designed to synchronize a great degree of styling with functional details. In addition to leather, in the interior of the Italian convertible you can find Alcantara and carbon fiber. In more expensive modifications, a small display of the multimedia system has found its place on the top of the central panel.
Standard equipment has parking sensors, since the visibility of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider is not ideal. The salon makes it possible to feel comfortable even for tall passengers. To help the already small luggage compartment comes a niche located behind the seat backs.
Rear view mirrors and power windows are electrically operated. 4 airbags, a stabilization option and a service that monitors tire pressure come as safety.
Specifications
power unit
Speaking about the technical component of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider sports car, it is worth noting right away that there are no special innovations when comparing the car with the coupe version. Spider, just like the 4C model, has a turbocharged gasoline power unit, which has four cylinders in its arrangement, with a volume of 1.75 liters.
Despite such a modest volume, the engineering staff was able to extract 240 horsepower and 350 Nm of torque from it. All torque goes to the rear wheels. This is achieved thanks to a robotic gearbox with six ranges.
The latter, by the way, is equipped with a pair of clutches. There will be no questions about the dynamism of the car. The first hundred is reached by a sports car in 4.2 seconds, and the top speed is 258 km / h. Many sports cars have different driving modes and the Alfa Romeo 4C Spyder is no exception - it has 4 modes: Race, Dynamic, All-weather and Natural.
Moreover, the car is provided with a track package of options, which will include other shock absorbers, different-sized wheels (there will be 18-inch rollers in front and 19 in the back), a sports steering wheel, another dashboard panel and carbon lining on the rear-view mirrors.
As an additional option, you can buy a sports exhaust system with a sonorous Akrapovic jump, as well as a removable top made of carbon. It's nice that the designers have installed paddle shifters in manual mode. Speaking about the appetite of this power unit, it consumes from 5 to 9.8 liters per 100 kilometers.
The Spider version has a beautiful balance and improved mass distribution along the axles than the coupe version. Thanks to the electric limited-slip differential, oversteer problems fade into the background. Even with the ESC disabled, the convertible will be very hard to get into a skid.
Dimensions
The Italian convertible has the following actual figures for its dimensions: Alfa Romeo 4C Spyder is 3,998 mm long, 2,000 mm wide, 1,810 mm high, and the wheelbase is 2,400 mm.
Price and configuration
So far, there is no information on the pricing policy of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider cabriolet in the Russian Federation, but if translated into rubles, this price is approximately the following: 6,000,000. A track package is immediately prepared for the car, which includes the presence of other shock absorbers, different-sized wheels (18 ahead inches, rear by 19), a sports steering wheel, a different instrument panel, and carbon fiber trim for the rearview mirrors. Optionally, you can also buy an exhaust system with Akrapovic sports content and a removable roof made of carbon.
Advantages and disadvantages
Machine advantages
- Unique appearance;
- Removable roof;
- Aggressive and sporty exterior;
- Rear LED lighting system;
- Reduced vehicle weight;
- Good stability on the road;
- Excellent aerodynamics;
- Pleasant interior;
- Good quality interior;
- The presence of a display on the side panel;
- Comfortable chairs;
- Good dynamic performance;
- Equipment;
- Small fuel consumption.
Cons of the car
- Design is still an amateur;
- Lack of a multifunctional steering wheel;
- Small luggage compartment;
- Hard seats;
- Car cost.
Summing up
Summing up, I would like to note that, again, the Italian automobile company managed to create a model that will be vividly discussed. Everyone can find in it their minuses and pluses - it's all a matter of personal tastes and preferences. However, one thing remains a fact - the car looks unique, sporty, fast and youthful. All these pleasant and refined lines, the unusual design of the wheels, the front and rear lamps, the front air intake will simply not leave anyone indifferent.
Inside, everything is Italian-style beautiful and at the same time high quality. The presence of a display on the instrument panel and a second screen (available in more expensive trim levels) suggests that the company does not stand still, but rather wants to progress and develop to please any consumer. The quality of the interior details is at a high level, this includes leather and Alcantara and carbon fiber.
How do they do it? Front-wheel drive layout and compact dimensions - such parameters of the terms of reference are not very conducive to wide creative research. But the Italians came out with another masterpiece of those to which the male half is not indifferent, and the wives, looking at their burning eyes, turn green with jealousy.
Shining in the sun body beckons like a magnet. Like any Alpha, Spider is a pleasure to look at from all sides, admiring the details. A cunning four-eyed "pug" meets the front, smiling in full breadth of the bumper covered with aluminum mesh. But the main thing here is a huge fiberglass hood that combines the front fenders, the upper part of the arches and the branded beak of the radiator grille with the Alfa coat of arms.
There are only two headlights, and they are rectangular in shape. Four holes in the hood - just an imitation. Here is such an Italian defamation ... Deep stampings on the sides decisively cross out the profile of the body, visually dividing it into two unequal parts and adding swiftness.
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The coquettishly upturned rear end is decorated with a wide strip of optics in the spirit of cars of the 60s and 70s. I can’t even believe that the masters of the Zagato studio turned out to be the controversial Alfa Romeo SZ, often found in the ratings of ugly cars, from almost the same design cubes. And here - the most beautiful car in the world in 1995 and the winner of a whole bunch of awards. Bravo, Pininfarina!
Inside
The Italians removed the door handles from the body as unnecessary. To access the salon, you need to press a button hidden in the depths of that very side stamping and overcome the wide side threshold. Interior design against the backdrop of a dashing appearance is an island of calm. Even, God forgive me, I felt a light spirit of a boring German Ordnung. But looking at the wells of the main instruments with hanging arrows and a trinity of additional scales on the center console, helpfully deployed in my direction, I calm down - no, it's still Alfa.
Low landing and light tightness, like a hand in an unbroken glove - all in accordance with the laws of the sports car genre, and only for people under 190 cm tall. For the legs at the pedal assembly, a special recess is made in the floor. Like a Mercedes, a large steering wheel and a five-speed manual lever fit comfortably in your hands, setting you up for a combat mood. The usual southern laxity in ergonomics, when you expect to find an emergency gang button under the passenger seat, is not observed. All knobs-switches are in their usual places, spinning, clicking and working, in spite of skeptics who believe that the place of any Alpha is only in the service.
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It was not possible to evaluate the boominess or softness of the plastic due to the total sheathing of the entire interior in leather and Alcantara. Inauthentic, but expensive, beautiful and logical: a foppish car - a dandy finish. The poverty of the configuration, which does not indulge in comfortable options, is the result of a sober calculation. Why air conditioning and a power roof for a convertible originally based in southern Italy?
In move
150 l. With. and front-wheel drive - hmm, is this really a sports car? An excuse could be a weight of about a ton, but here it is almost 500 kg more. So maybe it's more like a pleasure car of young Lorenzo or Vincenzo, hunting for naive senoritas, relaxingly bored in coffee houses on Corso Buenos Aires? A tachometer with a red zone starting at 7,000 rpm is trying to convince me otherwise. But here you are your own boss. Alpha with native Italian courtesy gives the right to choose. The senior is tired and wants to calmly get home without unnecessary worries? Prego, up to 4,000 rpm, is an ordinary civilian car with sluggish acceleration.
It is easy to interrupt the siesta - you just have to press the long-stroke clutch pedal, stick in the lower one and, drowning the gas pedal, unscrew the two-liter four into a ringing. With a satisfied growl, the Italian rushes forward, pressing me into the chair so noticeably that doubts crept in about the veracity of the passport acceleration. Exactly 8.5 seconds to 100 km/h? What difference does it make, press again and let the whole world wait! Alfa begins to flourish where all competitors (well, all except) usually have “heads” from overheating. Properly selected gear ratios of five-speed mechanics and sensitive, like a bare nerve, the gas pedal allow you to experience these sensations in any of the gears. I wonder if it is realistic to shift the blame for speeding on this gang of provocateurs?
The serenades of the Twin Spark two-liter four are inimitable in any of the modes. For a real "alfisti" there is no music sweeter than this rumble on idle or ringing metal notes when approaching the red zone. By the way, I’ll note especially for skeptics that in the mid-90s that unfortunate era had not yet come when Alfa Romeo was equipped with V6 from Opel and diesel engines from Fiat. This is a primordially "alpha" motor - you will not find this anywhere else. And thanks to those who calculated the aerodynamics of the Spyder, because the wind with the top open does not interfere with the flawless sound of a quartet of cylinders for a very long time. With such a character, it is a sin to complain about a stiff suspension. I won't - they've seen it even tougher. Alpha elastically fulfills most of the bumps, and even a quick speed bump does not become a problem. Naturally, you should not abuse this, otherwise deprive the beauty of her main talent - controllability. Not for this, engineers tuned the rear multi-link for days and nights.
In capable hands, the Spider, tuned for neutral understeer, pounces on any turn with such fury that it takes your breath away. Going overboard with speed is advice, not a warning. The reward will be easily controlled side-slip with a slight hint of front wheel drift. Aggressive riding is probably the first item in the Spider manual. It is said that in Italy, exceeding the speed limit in an Alfa Romeo and falling into the clutches of the police, you can avoid a fine. It is enough to enthusiastically describe to the harsh carabinieri how this “Bella Macchina” drove you crazy, making you forget about everything, including traffic rules. They wag a finger and let go. In the end, it was their compatriots who brought out a population of cars in front of which a true driver is powerless. Alfa Romeo Spider is an honorary member of this clan.
Purchase History
When at the beginning of 2014 Konstantin thought about buying a new car, the main contender was the Toyota MR-2. But deciding for the sake of decency to look at alternative options, he unexpectedly stumbled upon an Alfa-Romeo GTV and was pleasantly surprised by the style and handling. Having carefully studied the issue of purchase, Konstantin decided: this is exactly what you need, especially since the range of the Italian model included an even more attractive Spider cabriolet. Konstantin bought this copy of 1996 with a run of 250,000 kilometers in Lithuania. The car was in a very deplorable state: a broken body, a shabby, sun-bleached interior, a broken contract engine. But there was nothing to choose from, it turned out to be the only copy of the open Alpha that was on sale. The price was appropriate - 100,000 rubles.
Repair
Knowing perfectly well what he would have to face, Konstantin plunged into the restoration of the Italian. A lot of work has been done. From the main: the suspension and gearbox were completely rebuilt, all the engine compartment wiring was changed, a new front panel with all devices was installed ... Having finished with the mandatory program, Konstantin moved on to more pleasant tuning fun.tuning
The improvements were massive. By profession, Konstantin is an interior designer, so he had his own special vision of how the ideal Alfa Romeo should look like. The bodywork of the Spyder was completely repainted with a Honda xeralic paint job. Now, thanks to the prism effect, Alpha looks especially impressive in bright sunlight. Externally, the Spider acquired all the elements of the 1998 restyling. The interior is completely wrapped in Monza leather, and the doors, seats, the central part of the steering wheel, gearshift and parking brake covers are additionally decorated with black Alcantara with red double stitching. The most difficult was the work with the front panel, which has a complex surface relief. Work with the interior, including a new roof awning with a modified geometry and shape of the rear window, cost 180,000 rubles. Additional GReddy devices placed on the left rack - preparation for installing the compressor. We completed the interior changes with the installation of a music system based on Alpine and Morel Tempo components.
Alpha's major technical changes are yet to come. In the meantime, the Spider is content with Brembo brakes from the three-litre version, struts under the hood and a Fujitsubo straight-through exhaust.
Exploitation
After a year of ownership, having invested several times more than the purchase amount and actually pulled the car out of the other world, Konstantin can already (finally!) Say that owning Alpha gives him pleasure. His personal mileage is about 30,000 km. Expenses:- regular maintenance with oil change (Pentosin) and filters - about 6,000 rubles;
- fuel consumption in the urban cycle - 13 l / 100 km;
- fuel consumption on the highway - 8.5-9.0 l / 100 km;
- fuel consumption in the combined cycle - 11 l / 100 km;
- gasoline - AI-95-98.
Plans
Tuning is an incurable disease. Despite impressive investments, Konstantin is not going to stop. Spider is waiting for the finalization of the appearance in the spirit of the last restyling of 2003 and the installation of a rear diffuser from the Autodelta studio. For operation in the winter period, a second-hand removable hard top has already been ordered from Italy for 800 euros, which, upon arrival, will be reupholstered to match the rest of the interior. The most significant changes will occur under the hood. After installing the Eaton M62 compressor, the motor power will be about 260-300 hp. with., surpassing the indicators of the flagship modification (V6 3.2 liters, 240 hp) with less weight and, accordingly, better handling. Parts and turnkey work will cost 250,000 rubles. Well, instead of stock shock absorbers, coilovers with adjustable stiffness will stand.Model history
The forerunner of the GTV/Spider family was the Alfa Romeo 164 Proteo concept. The prototype of a two-seater sports car on a shortened 164 sedan chassis, created in his own design studio by the now notorious Walter da Silva, was demonstrated at the 1991 Geneva Motor Show. The concept turned out to be especially good technically, but most of the innovations - such as four-wheel drive or a progressive roof folding system - did not receive serial implementation. But the design finds were not in vain! Production versions of the sports car were shown at the 1995 Geneva Motor Show. Sales began in the same year. The front-wheel drive coupe and convertible Spider were based on a modified platform of the 155 sedan and equipped with a rear multi-link. Initially, three engine options were available for the model: 2.0 Twin Spark (155 hp), 2.0 V6 Turbo (202 hp) and 3.0 V6 (192 hp). Gearbox - five-speed mechanics.The luxurious two-seater convertible Alfa Romeo Spider gained lightning fame and popularity among motorists as soon as it appeared in public. This can be evidenced by the title of "Cabriolet of the Year", which Alfa Romeo Spider received at its first presentation in 2006 in Geneva. This was to be expected, because such well-known studios as Pininfarina (creating supercars for Ferrari) and Giugiaro participated in the development of the model. But in addition to luxurious design, Alfa Romeo Spider also boasts outstanding technical characteristics.
Specifications Alfa Romeo Spider
cabriolet
city car
- width 1 830mm
- length 4 393mm
- height 1 318mm
- ground clearance 120mm
- seats 2
| Engine | Price | Fuel | Drive unit | Consumption | Up to a hundred |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 AMT (185 HP) | AI-95 | Front | 8,7 / 12,2 | 9.8 s | |
| 2.2MT (185 HP) | AI-95 | Front | 7,3 / 13 | 8.8 s | |
| 3.2MT (260 HP) | AI-95 | Full | 8,4 / 16,9 | 7 s | |
| 3.2AT (260 HP) | AI-95 | Full | 10,4 / 14,3 | 7 s |
Test drives Alfa Romeo Spider
Test drive December 28, 2007 In search of the sweet life (Spider 2.2, 3.2)“Alfa Romeo” and “beauty” are almost synonymous. In recent years, this company has issued design revelations one after another. Suffice it to mention only the hottest new items: a sedan and station wagon under the index “159”, the coupe “Brera” built on their basis and the open “Spider”. ? This is what I tried to find out, sitting behind the wheel of the last serial model - the two-seater "Spider".
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Alfa Romeo Spider (Alfa Romeo Spider) is an open version of the Brera model, created by Pininfarina designers. It was first shown at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. This 2-seater is 60 kg heavier than the Brera and costs an average of €2,000 more. The soft top is hydraulically lowered and raised. The Alfa Romeo Spider is produced with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive transmissions.
All-wheel drive is offered only with a 260-horsepower engine. On request, it is possible to trim the interior with genuine leather, seats with electric adjustments in eight positions, a steering wheel with audio control buttons. Only Alfa Romeo Spider modifications with 2.2 and 3.2 liter petrol engines were officially delivered to Russia.
The microclimate inside the car is always favorable, even with the top down: the 2-zone climate control system takes care of this. The Alfa Romeo Spider is equipped with a sophisticated Infotelematic system including a navigation system, car radio, CD player, GSM hands-free phone, voice control system and bCONNECT information service. Model withdrawn from sale in 2010.
Specifications Alfa Romeo Spide R
| ALFA ROMEO SPIDER | 2.0 i 16V T. Spark | 2.0 i V6 TB | 3.0 i V6 24V |
| Start of production | 1998 | 2002 | 2002 |
| body type | Cabriolet | Cabriolet | Sedan |
| Number of doors | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Number of seats | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| Length | 4285 mm | 4285 mm | 4435 mm |
| Width | 1780 mm | 1780 mm | 1743 mm |
| Height | 1320 mm | 1320 mm | 1430 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2540 | 2540 | 2595 |
| Front track | 1500 | 1500 | 1511 |
| Rear track | 1505 | 1505 | 1498 |
| Clearance | 120 mm | 120 mm | 140 mm |
| Curb weight | 1350 kg | 1430 kg | 1405 kg |
| Permissible gross weight | 1630 kg | 1680 kg | 1850 kg |
| Turning diameter | 9.9 m | 9.9 m | 9.9 m |
| Engine location | Front, transverse | Front, transverse | Front, transverse |
| Engine capacity | 1969 cm3 | 1997 cm3 | 2492 cm3 |
| Type of cylinder arrangement | inline | V-shaped | V-shaped |
| Number of cylinders | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| piston stroke | 91 mm | 66.2 mm | 68.3 mm |
| Cylinder diameter | 83 | 88 | 80 |
| Number of valves per cylinder | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Supply system | Distribution injection | Distribution injection | Distribution injection |
| Power | 155/6400 hp/rpm | 192/6300 hp/rpm | 200/5600 hp/r.min |
| Fuel type | AI-95 | AI-95 | AI-95 |
| Drive unit | Front | Front | Front |
| Number of transfers (manual transmission) | 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Number of gears (automatic transmission) | ── | ── | ── |
| Front brakes | Disc ventilated | Disc ventilated | Disc ventilated |
| Rear brakes | Disk | Disk | Disk |
| ABS: | There is | There is | There is |
| Brake assist: | ── | ── | ── |
| Fuel tank volume: | 70 l | 63 l | 70 l |
| Max Speed: | 210 km/h | 230 km/h | 228 km/h |
| Fuel consumption (urban cycle), l. per 100 km: | 13.3 l | 17.5 l | 16.6 l |
| Fuel consumption (extra-urban cycle) per 100 km: | 6.8 (7.2) l | 8.5 l | 7.5 l |
| Tire size: | 190/60ZR15 | 205/60 R15 | 205/45 R16 |
