Performance Review: Alfa-Romeo 4C 1.8 Turbo - [2013]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Alfa-Romeo 4C Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Alfa-Romeo 4C 1.8 Turbo is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2013. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2014 Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous Performance and the 2014 Koenigsegg One 1 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo.This particular Alfa-Romeo 4C has a 1742cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 4C shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 4C's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 895 kgs (1973 lbs) this makes the Alfa-Romeo 4C 1.8 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2007 Lotus Elise SC 1.8 or the give or take 50kg.

The Alfa-Romeo 4C shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1742cc 16V St4 engine produces 240 bhp (178 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (243 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 258 lb-ft (349.8 Nm) @ 2100 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft) or the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Alfa-Romeo 4C you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Jaguar F Type 5.0L V8 S Cabriolet (293.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Alfa-Romeo 4C.

The Alfa-Romeo 4C has a Power to weight ratio of 268.1 bhp per ton and 288.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2013 4C competing with the 2012 Jaguar F Type 5.0L V8 S Cabriolet (293.0 bhp per ton) or the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 63 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (292.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Alfa-Romeo 4C generating around 288.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2014 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat 6.2 V8 (313.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Roadster (313.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.5 secs, this made the Alfa-Romeo 4C 1.8 Turbo as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2020 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.40 secs) the or the 2020 Audi A4 S4 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.40 secs). This Alfa-Romeo 4C 1.8 Turbo is also faster than the 2022 BMW i7 xDrive60 (4.50 secs) the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge 6.6 V12 Twin turbo (4.50 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Cabrio 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs) the and the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 4C and the 1993 Mercedes E Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 W124

When talking about the performance of the Alfa-Romeo 4C on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.81 secs @ 106.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Mercedes E Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 W124 (12.80 secs), the 2019 Toyota Supra GR RZ 3.0 Turbo (12.81 secs), and the 2017 BMW X6 xDrive50i 4.4 V8 F16 (12.81 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2013 version of the Alfa-Romeo 4C 1.8 Turbo has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2013 4C equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2013 Alfa-Romeo 4C 1.8 Turbo then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2013 4C Rivals List.

A Brief History of Alfa-Romeo

Car Comparison