It produces 237bhp and drives the rear wheels through, when it behaves, a lightning-quick, six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
With the coupé weighing only 925kg and the Spider 1080kg, 0-62mph takes 4.5sec, but its in-gear acceleration impresses more.
At launch, the 4C attracted mixed press. Everyone loved its looks and rawness, but a few testers, including Autocar’s, criticised its unruly handling and steering on all but handling and steering on all but the smoothest of surfaces. Alfa took note and recalled early cars for tweaks to their geometry.
The first coupés could be ordered in Launch Edition trim, offering unique paint colours, 18in and 19in forged teledial wheels in place of the standard cast 17in and 18in items, carbon-surround bi-LED headlights, specially calibrated suspension and a ‘Race’ exhaust.
The launch of the Spider ushered in further steering and geometry improvements and even a rear anti-roll bar, plus an upgraded interior featuring leather trim. It gained improved headlights, too. Subsequently, these tweaks were shared with the coupé.
To celebrate 50 years since the Duetto’s starring role in The Graduate, a special edition Spider with the larger wheels, a race exhaust, carbon bits and special colours arrived in 2016.
A very limited-run Competizione C4 edition followed in 2018, then in 2019 it was all over for the coupé and a year later for the Spider.
Options included an Akrapovic exhaust (rare but desirable) and a Race Pack featuring a loud race exhaust, uprated suspension and those larger 18in and 19in wheels.
There are many aftermarket upgrades, including those by the respected Alfa Workshop. Joe Quinn at Supercar Sourcing has owned a few 4Cs and reckons the one to have is a 2017 coupé or Spider in Rosso red with teledial wheels and black leather.
With more 4Cs looking for new homes, now is the time to buy before prices rise further.