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NEWS
Goodwood debut for superlight Alfa Romeo 4C
Swoopy sports coupe boasts exotic materials technology for a kerb weight below 900kgAlfa Romeo will officially unveil its production-ready 4C at the Goodwood Festival of Speed next month.
And the two-seater's light-weight construction, with carbon-fibre and aluminium used throughout, will be the focal point of the Italian brand's presence at the UK event.
Information revealed overnight places the all-up weight of the carbon-fibre monocoque shell at just 65kg, resulting in a total weight of 895kg for the car. SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound) reduces the weight from 7.8g/cm³ (steel) or 2.7 g/cm³ (aluminium) to just 1.5 g/cm³. Injected polyurethane for the bumpers and quarter panels is 20 per cent lighter than steel and still allows Alfa stylists to produce exotic and complex designs in three dimensions. Further weight reduction is the result of advanced development in glass technology for the windows and windscreen, with the latter measuring just 4mm in thickness.
Alfa Romeo plans to build 1000 units of the 4C each year at its Modena plant, after production commences. In series production terms it's a tiny number, but the carbon-fibre shell is a structure employing materials technology akin to a Formula One car's. The shell is reinforced with aluminium in the roof and at the front and rear.
Power for the 4C will be derived from the direct-injected 1750 turbo-petrol engine – with aluminium block – driving through a dry-plate dual-clutch transmission to the rear wheels.
Ahead of the car's official debut in Britain, the manufacturer has also produced a video concerning the new car.
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Written byCarsales Staff
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