2015 Alfa Romeo 4C -- First Drive & Shake Down at Chrysler Chelsea Proving Grounds

[@dva1098]

Why is it that nearly three minutes in, there has been more mention of the Lotus Elise than an Alfa. Have I missed something.

[@MotoManTV]

First off, welcome to our show. Second, I am a MAJOR Lotus guy - have owned a couple of them - and usually use them as reference or mention them where I can. Think of it as a running commentary over the past 5 years of the show.

[@israelmelendezjr1860]

MotoManTV Phew. Thanks for clarifying. I am new to your channel. Thanks for the review.

[@gene978]

Sweet Deal MOTOMAN! Can't wait for you and Mean Gene to inspect this baby and tell us more. If I had the means I'd be writing out a check with you MotoMan.

[@Rossetti]

~Ahaha what a hilarious introduction to the 4c. ~I love how you include your enjoyment and passion for the cars you review, instead of just 0-60 data. ~R.

[@MotoManTV]

+- Rossetti Thanks!

[@Rossetti]

MotoManTV I should be the one to thank you! Your content brings me such thrilling joy▬2016 is going to be a big year! ~Say hello to Mean Gene for me, when you see him. ~R.

[@MotoManTV]

+- Rossetti Absolutely will do . . .

[@JohnInSale]

Can't wait for the Alfa Spider based on the New Mazda MX-5. Italian Design Flair + Japanese Build Quality, should be Amazin , especially if they use this lovely sounding engine !!!

[@GimliTehDwarf]

Cant wait to see full episode!

[@mylesnic]

Looking forward to the Australian version 2015.. Heart & Soul Alfa Romeos. Thx for the vid

[@opptest1]

Great Video!

[@joysaysab]

Thanks for sharing

[@TheHoth1]

@5:52 just see the quality of the paint.......wow

[@c05l24]

Great short review.....however it has been over 18 months and no follow up with more content. Have you changed your opinion or is there a lengthier review coming? My apologies if I missed it.

[@MotoManTV]

+Chad McBain Thanks, Chad! While we still VERY MUCH love this car as well as some of the great people that design, engineer & build some of the FCA products, we no longer feature FCA products on the show. Actually, this shoot was the last. There is a very detailed response in the comments of our Hellcat episode (kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJmQq2Bmlsp4nsk) as to why. Hope you guys can understand and truly hope this changes in the future.

[@c05l24]

Hi....thanks for clarifying. Sorry to hear about the issues. FAC is not a particularly progressive company in many ways. I just emailed them about the 124 spider and they sent me a beautiful brochure on all their vehicles "except" the spider lol. Not bright....anyway I have more interest in the 4c then an Abarth spider so we shall see:)

[@nathanfears6732]

love the show and love the car

[@domdegood5376]

Alfa is based on traditional alfa made before lotus.

[@KevinSmith-qi5yn]

In my opinion, Fiat buying Chrysler has been the most positive thing to happen for the Car Industry in the last 20 years. Its opened the door for more Fiat brands and most of Chrysler is producing 1 good car at a time.

[@humbertoterronesesquivel5287]

Alfa Only!

[@Trekologist]

I'm right there with you MotoMan. I would (probably) give up my American Muscle for this 4C. Unless I had a Hellcat. :)

[@MotoManTV]

Hey Eric! So funny thing - they had the 4C and the Hellcat sitting RIGHT next to each other . . . I would agree - a VERY tough call but you know me . . .

[@zaq1938]

Hurry up with the longer review already. Looking forward to it. Aren't you?

[@MotoManTV]

As you could tell by the film. we LOVED this car. That said, wanted to share a response to a comment on our Hellcat film that is also pertinent to referenced longer review: Appreciate you reaching out . . . first off, want to say that we are HUGE fans of Ralph, Klaus Busse, Mark Trostle, Dick Winkles, Erich Heuschele, Chris Nowak, Dave Cottrell and all the people we have been fortunate enough to work with over the years that dream up, design, engineer and build Chrysler and SRT (especially) cars. If you have seen our episodes with these guys, you know that they have become friends over the years. That said, about two and half years ago the communications group within Chrysler up in Auburn Hills made the decision to severely limit our access to their cars which left us with a problem: We had developed a hugely loyal viewer base in the Mopar faithful that watched our films for which we are VERY thankful. You guys watched our films to the point that let’s just say, I'm not saying we’re Motor Trend but numbers were not the problem. But the reality of our business is this: timely access to cars is everything. Shoot a car too late, and you won’t make enough revenue from advertising and views to cover your cost of production. At first, because of the highly strategic relationship we had developed with Chrysler - Ralph especially - and the size of the audience we had developed that followed this specific brand within our show, we became creative on how to work around the issue. But as we got more creative, the problem became worse to the point of not being sustainable. Sadly, even though we had tried hard to come to a solution over the past 2 years it was with the Hellcat that the issue came to an impasse. As stated at the beginning of this post, we have great admiration for the folks behind the cars and VERY much want to arrive at a solution to this issue so we can continue creating great films with Ralph and the boys on their - as of late - truly epic cars.

[@zaq1938]

MotoManTV Well that's really too bad :-/ still, I'll press you for a comment on the one concern I keep hearing with this car which is that it has "vague center steering feel". What do you make of that criticism - can it be fixed with suspension modifications and do you think it has been over emphasized among other reviewers?

[@MotoManTV]

zaq Going to preface this by saying that you guys saw the sum total of my wheel time with this car in this film. Really not much more than that - we shot VERY efficiently. That said, yes, it is a light car with no power assist to the steering so yes there is going to be some numb feel when driving down a straightaway. Having been a Lotus guy for a while, I have driven Lotus' with different set ups that address this kind of issue so I would hope it is possible but can't say with any certainty. But with anything, you would have some serious tradeoffs.

[@IceDree]

Lord have mercy ! Sounds like someone had too much fun ... 4C + Canyons? Looks like MotoMan gonna run away with an Italian chick :P I have to visit the local Alfa Romeo showroom soon. As always M, awesome video & keep up the excellent work.

[@MotoManTV]

It was not pretty - they had to drag me kicking and screaming out of that car (no joke).

[@IceDree]

daymn ! :( when you get it again for the Mulholland tests ... Run for the boarders ;) better start working on your Spanish. This Conversation Never Happened ;)

[@MotoManTV]

IceDree Te prometo, señor, dejé los papeles de propiedad de vuelta a casa

[@IceDree]

Excelente, usted está a mitad de camino

[@alineharam]

In Los Angeles, I was told it will be here on August 15, 2014. In downtown FIAT dealership. I'll see you there!

[@chrisnorcross3322]

I wish Alpha would just do the simple thing that they need to do. Stretch the wheelbase three or 4 inches for interior room So drivers can inhale and maybe even recline the seat an inch or two and stretch it a little more to squeeze that glorious V6 and I would pay six figures for this car in a heartbeat!

[@Rob16299]

awesome

[@wiibaron]

The car looks nice except the badge on the grille which just looks stupid where it is.

[@BCEngineer321]

What happened to the follow up video?

[@MotoManTV]

It was right after we shot this episode that we had no choice but to stop featuring FCA on the show. Answer as to why in the comments of this episode: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipzcmWV-eplkbM0 - Hope you understand.

[@emaskibl]

Don't invent words Michael! Come on, you're the product planning manager, you should know what you're saying! It's Quadrifoglio Verde, not Quadroverdefolio... or whatever you said! ahahahah

[@alineharam]

Micheal has an easy job, gets paid tons of money doing it. He needs to seriously do his homework. Chrysler should be better than that. If you need help selling this thing. Call me, I live in the west coast.

[@JoJoJoker]

How's the gearbox?

[@MotoManTV]

Can we put a pin in this conversation until we get a longer episode out to you? My time was short with the car and only on that AutoCross so would like to get some solid wheel time before going on the record . . .

[@christiansalazar4992]

60k? Would rather have an M3/4 or a C-class AMG. Not going to lie, that is one impressive little car though.

[@dumyjobby]

i would preffer the alfa, the merc or bmw are pimped up versions of everyday cars, the alfa is much more special. The alfa have to be the second car when whith a bmw or mer you can use them as primary cars. If i have the money to buy an alfa 4c i think i would have also the money to have another everyday car

[@christiansalazar4992]

I was talking more along the lines of an "all-in-one" car. If were talking about track toys...Well that's a whole other story.

[@MotoManTV]

Dumy Jobby I kinda agree with this logic . . .

[@gary_beniford]

+Kreus GS the M3 starts at 62k without options it's already more expensive than the alfa a well optioned M3 would cost around 80k. TBH though it's a tough decision since the M3 would be more practical since it can carry 5 people and has decent trunk space and it's around the same 0-60 as the 4C that is about 4 sec give or take a tenth

[@rinof.g.8990]

MotoMan we want the full review of the 4C please..........................................................

[@MotoManTV]

Sadly, it ain't happening . . . We no longer feature FCA on the show. Long answer in the comments of this episode (kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJmQq2Bmlsp4nsk)

[@mountainhobo]

Your mechanic will love you. BTW, for the same money you can get a well-equipped Cayman.

[@MotoManTV]

TOTALLY different cars. That said, just booked a base Cayman with a manual transmission to shoot now having driven this . . . stay tuned.

[@mountainhobo]

MotoManTV Looking forward to the Cayman review. Glad you booked the base one with the proper manual.

[@emaskibl]

The 4C, is a light weight track car. The Cayman, is an heavy, everyday use "gran turismo", wich is a completely different kind of car, that you can't compare with a 4C or a Lotus Elise...

[@alineharam]

You know (we all know) that you make a very good point. One cannot pretend that the 4C is a Porsche killer. The Cayman is perfect, maybe this competition will make it even better. I happen to own an Alfa Romeo and love it. There is an emotional component to the pleasure I get from driving my spider.

[@mountainhobo]

Emanuele Pinna > The Cayman, is an heavy, everyday use "gran turismo" LOL

[@gpatricka]

How can you compare this fine automobile to a box of parts from the postbox, bolted together, and called a car? The 4C is union designed, engineered, and manufactured in Italy. The Exige, I assume you are referencing, is supposed to be a UK automobile. No! The suspension is from Germany, the interior is from Belgium, and the engine is out of a Toyota. A handful of blokes get some bits in the mail and piece them together, leaving most to presume built-in England. Norfolk, whatever. It's like buying a Chevrolet built-in Mexico. WTH? Alfa Romeo made Enzo Ferrari into the man and his products we know today. Thanks to Alfa we have Maserati. Maybe Lotus should reach out to Fiat. What thanks are do Lotus? No, really. Other than fond memories of the eighties, or early nineties even, Esprit; what has Lotus provided the world?

[@laziosociaria]

there will be no alfa spider based on Miata. Marchionne said a fiat spider will be based on Miata platform.

[@tmeo9712]

Uh, Lotus has a "prop rod" too, and it is as flimsy and lightweight as the 4C. They are virtually identical cars, the Elise and 4C in every way possible. The only real difference is the manufacturer. Both are 4 bangers, both have manual racks, both are low, both are hard to get in and out, both get great gas mileage, both have terrible radios and speakers, both are loud, both handle well at speeds over 10 mph and miserably under 5mph, and both are striking. Even the weight is close, within 200 lbs. Carbon Fiber versus aluminum, both have terribly uncomfortable seats, but one is automatic and one is manual.

[@domdegood5376]

The alfa is not automatic but it has advanced paddles.

[@tmeo9712]

Dom Degood It's not a manual, it runs with the push of a button. The paddles are optional but this is considered AUTOMATIC meaning you do not have a physical clutch you push. Look up a corvette Z06, they have paddle shifters, and they are listed as automatic. Sorry, i own both a lotus and a C4, believe me, the C4 is an automatic. Three pedals or two? The C4 has a clutch like my Mercedes C Class does, you can shift it on the handle or drive in full auto. No manual clutch. Sorry.

[@MotoManTV]

Tony Meoli A Lotus AND a C4 . . . Respect!

[@domdegood5376]

Tony Meoli Manual means you can change gear with the stick or with the paddle, automatic means that you don't change any thing the gearbox dose it all.

[@tmeo9712]

Dom Degood Manual means you cannot move the car without a manually operated clutch. This car is not considered an automatic in any magazine nor in my owner's manual. It is a shifts-able, automatic transmission. It also has full automatic mode.

[@kaizen7852]

wtf lollllllllll quatevedefolio ? wtf is that means lolllllllllllllllll

[@coureurdebois]

:)

[@opptest1]

test

[@opptest1]

awesome

[@opptest1]

test