As far as I’m concerned, there’s only one good type of spider in this world: the automotive kind. Alfa Romeo is set to increase the amount of that sort of arachnid with its 2015 4C Spider.
The sheet-molded compound composite-bodied two-seater’s exterior tops a carbon fiber monocoque chassis. An aluminum 1.7-liter turbocharged I4 generates 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It breathes through a standard dual-exhaust. If you don’t feel like listening to that, you can crank up the Alpine stereo system, which features Bluetooth phone and streaming capabilities, an iPod interface, CD/MP3 functionality, HD radio, and SiriusXM radio.
A titanium two-mode Akrapovic exhaust will be available at a later date, but not at launch, which is some time this summer in the U.S. and Canada. Alfa Romeo will even offer a racing exhaust setup, which “removes the muffler, and instead integrates a uniquely designed asymmetric Y-shape system after the catalyst.”
The Italian automaker’s TCT (twin-clutch transmission) handles gear changes in as little as 130 milliseconds at wide-open throttle. However, you have to do all of the steering – manually. Alfa said, “the conventional power steering system is removed altogether.”
A heavy foot on the right pedal brings about 60 mph in an estimated 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 160 mph. The 4C Spider’s double-wishbone front and MacPherson rear suspensions are tasked with handling such quickness, as well as a maximum lateral acceleration figure of 1.1 g.
When you have to brake, four ventilated, perforated discs, in conjunction with Brembo four-piston aluminum calipers up front, will bring you to a stop.
An optional Track Package includes, among other parts, upgraded shock absorbers, larger sway bars at both ends, and 18 x 7-inch front and 19 x 8.5-inch rear forged aluminum wheels inside of available Pirelli P-Zero “AR Racing” rubber.
Alfa gives you your choice of seven exterior colors, six interior combinations, four brake caliper hues, and four wheel designs. You can also pick whether you want your 4C to come with a removable, stowable cloth roof or, at some point after launch, an optional exposed carbon fiber hardtop.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
