Alfa 4C Spider’s a stunner

IT’S one of the most stunning new cars in years and the new Alfa 4C Spider is set to hit UK streets this summer at a cost of £59,500.

The production version of the open top 4C will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show next week and like its coupe stablemate is built around a lightweight carbon fibre chassis.

As with the coupe, the bodywork is made entirely from SMC – sheet moulded compound – a high-strength composite material that’s 20 percent lighter yet more rigid than steel.

Even the Alfa’s windscreen and side windows have been optimised for lightness, using thinner glass to reduce weight by up to 15 per cent.

Regards design, the coupe’s glazed engine cover and flowing shape gives way to a more traditional spider form, with pronounced buttresses and a body-coloured engine deck-lid with three heat extractors and an aerodynamic spoiler, and the rollover structure is housed in a black or optional carbon fibre halo.

Other new features to debut on the car include a titanium exhaust system, mounted centrally with switchable modes which can be altered depending on the driver’s mood.

Developed by exhaust specialists Akrapovic the system has a pair of centrally-mounted tailpipes and computer-optimised mufflers with a dual-mode exhaust valve set-up.

New colours for the Spider include a new yellow paint scheme with matching stitching for the seating, steering wheel and doors, while a new Tobacco leather interior option is also planned for later in the year.

Powered by the same, 240bhp 1,750cc turbo petrol engine as the coupe, it includes direct fuel injection, dual continuous variable valve timing and a revolutionary scavenging control system that sees off any turbo lag.

Acceleration is 0-60 in 4.1 seconds with a top speed of 160mph.