2018 Alfa Romeo 4C

Overview

The 2018 Alfa Romeo 4C is the closest you’ll get to driving a brand-new vintage sports car. Raw and uncompromising, this mid-engine Italian speed machine can be had in coupe or Spider (convertible) format. Neither comes anywhere close to being practical for daily driving—unless your commute involves hot-lapping a racetrack. Despite its flaws, or maybe because of them, the Alfa Romeo 4C is addictive, intoxicating, and just plain outrageously fun to drive.

What's New for 2018?

Changes to the Alfa Romeo 4C for 2018 are limited to a few cosmetic tweaks. A revised front end with carbon-fiber air intakes is available. Black leather seats with yellow stitching can be combined with any 4C Coupe or Spider, as long as it’s painted white, black, or grey.

Pricing

Original MSRP:

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

Behind the 4C's cabin is a turbocharged 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine that directs 237 horsepower to the rear wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Few cars cry out for a manual gearbox option more than the 4C does, although the automatic never hesitates to help blast this little Alfa down the road. There is old-school turbo lag, which means it’s up to the driver, not endless computer nannies, to judge when it’s smart and safe to punch the gas pedal. The 4C's handling is electrifying; it darts through corners like an open-wheel racing machine. At low speeds, however, the steering is enormously heavy and routine parking tasks require embarrassing amounts of time and space to finally get the 4C settled.

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Fuel Economy

EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The cabin of the two-passenger Alfa Romeo 4C is simplistic in the extreme, a throwback to earlier times with few electronic overseers. Once you've settled into the driver's seat, the intimate cabin seems to wrap around you with all controls within easy reach, and you'll see plenty of exposed and unadorned carbon-fiber trim. Is it comfortable? Not very; every bump in the road is telegraphed from the tires upward through the chassis and then into your spine and cerebral cortex. But that's all part of the experience. The trunk is minuscule even for a mid-engine sports car. A large backpack will eat up all the available room.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

If you want a dedicated space devoted entirely to the joy of driving, the cabin of the Alfa Romeo 4C is your dream come true. There’s no infotainment screen, and the four-speaker sound system can be politely described as rudimentary. Not that it matters, because even with the volume cranked, you’re unlikely to hear anything above the roar of the turbo four-cylinder and the rush of wind noise.

Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings

For more information about the Alfa Romeo 4C’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty

Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.