Looking at the 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C in its U.S.-industry guise, you might feel that it is the identical animal as the European model, only with the usual rash of federal emissions-compliance gear onboard. You would be wrong. Alfa Romeo reps recently showed us around the North American version of the 4C, and for the duration of the stroll-around we were capable to hammer out exactly what makes the North American version of the small Italian sports car different from the one sold everywhere else. The list is more complete than you probably anticipated.
Bumpers and Lights: Naturally, U.S. regulations differ from European ones, so while our 4C looks almost identical to the Euro-spec model, there are important visual variations. The rear bumper is new, and it incorporates bulging Dagmars on either side of a narrowed license-plate-mounting nacelle, in place of the original 4C’s more sophisticated Euro-plate mount. Although the headlight and taillight internals seem to be the same, they are truly entirely new to comply with federal lighting laws, and U.S. purchasers won’t be provided the European car’s optional “bug-eye” lights that’s okay by us, because these are ugly.
Left: 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C (U.S-spec). Right: 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C (Euro-spec).
Carbon-Fiber Monocoque: The U.S.-market place 4C’s central carbon-fiber tub is special, with the fibers laid differently throughout to tailor the structure for federal crash tests. Consider us surprised to learn that Alfa Romeo altered more than just the bolt-on front and rear subframes.
Weight: Speaking of American crash tests and added gear, they’re accountable for almost all of the U.S.-spec car’s weight acquire more than the European version. The unique carbon-fiber tub is 92 pounds heavier, although other tweaks—an adjustable passenger seat (required by U.S. regulations), side and knee airbags, and standard air conditioning (46 pounds on its own)—add up to a total claimed weight distinction of 342 pounds between a base Euro model and ours.
Prime: 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C (U.S-spec). Bottom: 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C (Euro-spec).
Tuning: Anytime a hot European automobile comes stateside, we’re often pessimistic about its tuning. A car’s transition to accommodate “American tastes” almost always ruins the suspension tuning, for example. But lo and behold, the U.S.-industry 4C’s only suspension changes are mild bushing tweaks to account for its heavier curb weight plus a switch from cast-aluminum suspension pieces to steel ones for durability.
Happily, none of the U.S.-spec 4C’s alterations significantly alter the car’s lusty driving experience—even the added mass doesn’t ruin things—and parked side-by-side, most individuals would be challenging-pressed to spot the differences. In truth, we’re keen to concentrate on 4C content shared with both the U.S. and Euro versions: Manual steering that feels definitely wonderful, a stripped-down interior, the (optional) lack of a muffler, the identical 237 turbocharged horsepower, and these saliva-gland-stimulating appears.
Coming to America: What Tends to make the U.S.-Spec Alfa Romeo 4C Special? Really a Lot
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