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2016 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider: A pure and simple track weapon

Alfa Romeo's 4C is a gift to car enthusiasts with sexy looks, and an on-track drive character that's challenging and rewarding at the same time. However, as a daily driver, this no-frills number isn't ideal.

Jon Wong
Jon Wong was a reviews editor for CNET Cars. He test drove and wrote about new cars and oversaw coverage of automotive accessories and garage gear. In his spare time, he enjoys track days, caring for his fleet of old Japanese cars and searching for the next one to add to his garage.
Jon Wong
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Alfa Romeo's 4C is the affordable super car with its carbon fiber chassis, mid-engine layout and head-turning styling.

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4C coupes carry a base price of $57,495 including destination, while the open-top Spider commands a decent premium with a $67,495 starting price.

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Sitting in the middle of the car is a 1.75-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 237 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.

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To produce all that power from the small four-cylinder engine, the turbo pushes in 21.75 psi of boost.

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A six-speed dual-clutch transmission routes power to the rear wheels.

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With its compact dimensions and lightweight construction, the 4C spider has a curb weight of just 2,487 pounds, while the coupe is slightly lighter to tip the scales at 2,465 pounds.

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The 4C spider rides on 18-inch front and 19-inch rear Pirelli P Zero performance tires.

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Alfa Romeo claims that the 4C Spider sprints to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, and has a top speed of 160 mph.

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There's no blending in with the crowd when you drive a 4C in the public. Be prepared to receive plenty of attention in this sexy Italian.

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If you plan on taking a road trip in a 4C, you'll want to pack light since it only has 3.7 cubic feet of trunk space.

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