4C Coupe (Type 960) 2013 - Current

Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition - Rosso Red

The Alfa Romeo 4C is a modern-day sports car that revived the brand’s lightweight sports car heritage using Formula 1-inspired technology. Below is the history and technical profile for the 4C, including specific details on the Launch Edition and aftermarket suspension enhancements.

📅 Vehicle History: P4CYL

Registration Date: This 4C was first delivered to its first owner in May 2014. It has been with the current owner since February 2022 and it is looked after by Alfaworkshop of Royston, who look after around 80% of 4Cs in the UK.

Plate: The registration P4CYL is a custom plate, referencing the car's 4-cylinder (4-Cyl) engine configuration. 4C is a moniker designed to follow the legendary Alfa Romeo 6C and 8C.

🏎️ The Carbon Fibre "Tub" & Development

The 4C was designed by Centro Stile Alfa Romeo and manufactured at the Maserati plant in Modena.

The Monocoque: At its core is a 65kg (143lb) carbon fibre tub, a technology typically reserved for supercars.

Lightweight Construction: The tub is paired with aluminium front and rear subframes, resulting in a total chassis weight of just 107kg.

Safety & Rigidity: The tub is exceptionally strong and virtually irreparable; in high-speed impacts, it often remains intact, though any damage usually results in a vehicle write-off.

The Alfa Romeo 4C offers near supercar performance with surprisingly high efficiency, boasting an official combined fuel economy of 41.5 mpg and a 0–62 mph time of just 4.5 seconds. Its light weight—under 940 kg—allows the 1.75L turbocharged engine to punch well above its displacement while remaining economical during long-distance cruising. 

The 4C has no power steering and very little visibility through the rearview mirror, making parking a workout for the arms and mind!

🏎️ Core UK Performance Specs

The 4C’s 1750cc aluminium-block engine produces high specific power, making it one of the most efficient performance units in its class.

• Acceleration: 0–60 mph in 4.4 seconds; 0–62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.5 seconds.
• Top Speed: Electronically limited to 160 mph.
• Power: 237 bhp (240 hp) at 6,000 rpm.
• Torque: 258 lb-ft (350 Nm), with 80% available from just 1,800 rpm.
• Transmission: 6-speed TCT Dual-Clutch automatic with steering-wheel paddle shifters.

⛽ Fuel Economy & Efficiency

The 4C achieved high MPG figures under the NEDC testing cycle, and owners often report seeing 40+ mpg during steady motorway runs.

• Official Combined: 41.5 mpg.
• Official Extra-Urban: Up to 56.5 mpg on longer, steady-speed journeys

🛠️ Alfa Workshop Suspension Upgrades

The 4C is known for a "twitchy" steering feel on uneven roads due to its aggressive factory geometry. The Alfa Workshop (Alfaworks) developed a widely-regarded suspension kit, which is fitted to P4CYL, to solve this:

Suspension Blocks: These custom-machined blocks replace factory components to alter caster and camber.

The Goal: By increasing the caster angle, the kit improves self-centring and reduces "tramlining" (the car following ruts in the road).

Driving Dynamics: The upgrade eliminates skittish behaviour on bumpy UK roads, making the steering feel more linear and predictable. It is however still an intense drive which requires concentration.

🌟 Launch Edition (LE) vs. Standard

The Launch Edition was the high-spec introductory model limited to a specific production run.

Launch Edition Differences

Exterior | Carbon fibre bi-LED headlight surrounds, rear spoiler, and mirror covers.

Mechanical | Racing exhaust, BMC air filter, and specific suspension calibration with a rear anti-roll bar (missing on standard cars).

Interior | Numbered aluminium plaque on the centre console and Alcantara/leather racing seats, Carbon fibre binnacle, gear change selector cover and dashboard strip.

Wheels | Burnished 18" front and 19" rear forged Teledial wheels in a unique darker colour.

Production Numbers

* Worldwide: Exactly 1,000 units were produced for the global Launch Edition run.

* Regional Split: 400 for Europe/Middle East/Africa, 500 for North America, and 100 for the rest of the world