Alfa Romeo 4C

In truth, it is at least 30 years since Alfa Romeo has built a car for real people that directly and affordably expresses its values. This is the 4C's mission and it is why it is so very significant.

Nothing about the fixed-head, two-seat 4C better underscores its seriousness than the fact that its chassis is an extremely rigid carbonfibre tub weighing just 65kg. This featherweight foundation, plus Alfa's use of a new, 22kg lighter, all-aluminium, direct-injection four-cylinder 1750 turbo engine - and a myriad more weight-saving features - mean that, parked in the street ready to go, a 4C weighs just 925kg.

Given that the engine produces 240bhp at 6000rpm, plus 258lb ft of torque between 2100rpm and 4000rpm, its power-to-weight ratio of 259bhp per tonne is really something to crow about, matching that of many big-capacity supercars at more than twice the price and power. Small wonder that the Alfa Romeo 4C can top 155mph and sprint 0-62mph in just 4.5sec, while returning an impressive 41.5mpg on the combined cycle.

Source: Autocar.co.uk