Alfa 4C, a Rant, and Thoughts - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Skippy · #1 12-31-2014, 07:50 AM

Alfa Romeo is coming back to the U.S. with the 4C. In short: Me want:

. There's a "but" coming, however first I'll post a few links about what makes me like this car:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnuNv77rB0Q

Note the Euro version has the radio, AC, and adjustable passenger seats as optional extras. Quoted weight of 925 kg

with 240 bhp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI-E8qjfqQ0

But:

The U.S.-Spec Alfa Romeo 4C Is 342 Pounds Heavier

342 pounds

Rant:

Why is it so difficult to get a minimalist enthusiast driver's car in this country? Yes, it's possible to get an Ariel Atom or a Caterham (Lotus) 7 as a kit car. Yes you can build your own by stripping something that was built with a bunch of extraneous parts, or you can spend A LOT of money for something like a GT3 RS. Why isn't there an affordable car made without all the things that don't make the car stop, change direction, or go?

Thought:

Or is it? I already own a vehicle that has roughly the same raw performance numbers (aside from top speed) of that Alfa, and I paid the princely sum of $1500 for it when it had a hair under ten thousand miles on it. BTW, it averages about 50 mpg. Aircon? No. Airbags? No. Radio? No. Crash protection of any kind? No. Curb weight? About 440 lbs. What is this wonderfully minimalist inexpensive high performance rig? A 2007 Kawaski Ninja 650R. If I wanted to go even lighter and faster, Suzuki offers the GSXR 750 for an MSRP of $12,299. For this price you get about 145 bhp and a curb weight of around 410 lbs. Even if you figure in the weight of a geared up rider (call it 175 lbs), you get a power to weight ratio of about 495 bhp/ton. This is shockingly close to what you get in a Pagani Huayra for a lot less money. Bikes are clearly the way to go fast for cheap. But what if I want to haul more than a backpack full of groceries? What happens when it snows? There should be some middle ground.