Photo: Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo's return to the United States was all about the 4C, a super-light sports car built around a carbon shell. However, after leading the charge, it's now being retired, at least in coupe form.
Frankly, we're not surprised to see that the Alfa 4C is being discontinued since the company's new 5-year plan leaves no room for it. However, we expected it to stick around for a few more years.
The good news is that Alfa kept the 4C Spider. However, that's probably because it's way more expensive and thus profitable.
Motor Authority magazine spoke to Product Manager Danny Britt, who said the 4C Coupe will be dropped after the 2018 model year. Likewise, the Track Package option will be discontinued, though you will still be able to order the things it brought separately.
It takes a special kind of customer to buy a car like the 4C. Yeah, it's carbon-tubbed and mid-engined, which makes it a mini Ferrari. True that it's much lighter and more involving than a Porsche 718 Cayman. But it's also about as comfortable as sitting on a pile of bricks.
The 4C has only 3 cubic feet of trunk space, no glovebox, no powered steering, virtually no seat padding or soundproofing. Many people aren't able to fit inside, while reverse-parking is a nightmare.
You might think that's not important in an Alfa Romeo, but they don't, which is why the Stelvio SUV has been made. Speaking of which, the Italian brand will have a larger SUV a 600 horsepower GTV successor and another 8C with around 700 HP. Blimey!
But let's not forget that FCA doesn't have the best track record. If we remember correctly, Alfa was supposed to have a new Giulietta, a Giulia wagon, and coupe by now. We'd also like to point out that the 4C is going to be discontinued before Alfa has a chance of making that QV performance version.
Update: We've received a quick update from Alfa Romeo. The 4C Coupe will remain available in North America while the supply of 2018 model year units last. However, the factory in Italy will still be making them for the rest of the world.
Also, for the 2019 model year, the 4C Spider will get features that address the problems we've mentioned, such as a rear back-up camera, rear park sensors, and cruise control.
The good news is that Alfa kept the 4C Spider. However, that's probably because it's way more expensive and thus profitable.
Motor Authority magazine spoke to Product Manager Danny Britt, who said the 4C Coupe will be dropped after the 2018 model year. Likewise, the Track Package option will be discontinued, though you will still be able to order the things it brought separately.
It takes a special kind of customer to buy a car like the 4C. Yeah, it's carbon-tubbed and mid-engined, which makes it a mini Ferrari. True that it's much lighter and more involving than a Porsche 718 Cayman. But it's also about as comfortable as sitting on a pile of bricks.
The 4C has only 3 cubic feet of trunk space, no glovebox, no powered steering, virtually no seat padding or soundproofing. Many people aren't able to fit inside, while reverse-parking is a nightmare.
You might think that's not important in an Alfa Romeo, but they don't, which is why the Stelvio SUV has been made. Speaking of which, the Italian brand will have a larger SUV a 600 horsepower GTV successor and another 8C with around 700 HP. Blimey!
But let's not forget that FCA doesn't have the best track record. If we remember correctly, Alfa was supposed to have a new Giulietta, a Giulia wagon, and coupe by now. We'd also like to point out that the 4C is going to be discontinued before Alfa has a chance of making that QV performance version.
Update: We've received a quick update from Alfa Romeo. The 4C Coupe will remain available in North America while the supply of 2018 model year units last. However, the factory in Italy will still be making them for the rest of the world.
Also, for the 2019 model year, the 4C Spider will get features that address the problems we've mentioned, such as a rear back-up camera, rear park sensors, and cruise control.
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