Alfa 4C laps the ‘Ring in 8:04 – fastest sub-250 hp car

Alfa_4C_Nurburgring_01

Alfa Romeo has just confirmed that its 4C sports car managed a swift 8 minute and 4 second lap around the Nurburgring Nordschleife. The lap, achieved with ‘Ring expert Horst von Saurma behind the wheel, may not appear to be remarkable in any way, especially with all the buzz around the Porsche 918’s sub-seven-minute breakthrough.

But that’s hardly a fair comparison, is it? To put it into perspective, the lithe 240 hp, 1.75 litre, four-cylinder Alfa 4C’s 8:04 time makes it faster around the Green Hell than the 420 hp 4.2 litre V8-powered E92 BMW M3 Coupe and the previous-gen Porsche Cayman S with its 320 hp 3.4 litre flat-six engine.

The Alfa Romeo 4C even beats the Renault Megane RS 265 Trophy’s time (still the fastest front-wheel drive car around the track) by four seconds, and is now the new all-time record holder for sub-250 hp production cars. Tyres used were specially-developed ‘AR’ Pirelli P Zero Trofeo rubbers unique to the 4C.

Key to its quick lap time is its supercar-style all-carbon-fibre monocoque chassis, which trims down the two-seat coupe to a featherweight 895 kg. Powered by an uprated 240 hp/350 Nm 1750 (1.75 litre) turbo four, the Alfa 4C has a power to weight ratio of well over 250 hp per tonne. Alfa Romeo claims a 0-100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds and a 256 km/h top speed.

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Hafriz Shah

Preferring to drive cars rather than desks, Hafriz Shah ditched his suit and tie to join the ranks of Malaysia’s motoring hacks. A car’s technical brilliance is completely lost on him, appreciating character-making quirks more. When not writing this ego trip of a bio, he’s usually off driving about aimlessly, preferably in a car with the right combination of three foot pedals and six gears.

 

Comments

  • fredo on Oct 21, 2013 at 12:56 pm

    power rating is similar to an F30 328i but with just 895kg kerb weight, its surely a better car for an Ulu Yam-Gohtong weekend drive

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
  • Dear santa…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Chris on Oct 21, 2013 at 3:04 pm

    Cars like this makes me realize how “fat” and complicated modern car has become.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
    • Just compare with collora last time and altis now, how big the size has became

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • All carbon fibre monocoque chassis with special ‘AR’ Pirelli P Zero Trofeo rubbers and can only beat the 265 Megane by 4 seconds is kinda not in my opinion. The central of gravity, the weight and the tires should have beaten the Megane 265 by a big margin. Plus, it’s a rear wheel drive, which should be able to control the under and oversteer easily, compared to front wheel drive. What has Alfa Romeo been doing? It is a looker, but I’m guessing with a price tag which could be higher than the Evora and the Cayman, I’d still go for the Megane 265.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 7
  • Seriously Alfa, your headlights look like s**t

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
  • This car will breakdown before you can even drive out of your car porch.

    Oh, and tow truck will be your best of the best buddy and speed dial programmed into your mobile phone #1 slot.

    Oh, No resale value too. German car more prestige and more reliable. Buy VW.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 8
    • german car like VW more reliable?..AHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAAAAAHAHHAHAHAHHAHA

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 3
    • Dear DSG,
      Hahaha..you exactly sounded as a VW version of Sam Loo!

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • PauKaya on Oct 21, 2013 at 9:16 pm

    with all those tapes…isnt alfa like cheating? unless they gonna promote a special black tape edition.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
    • kelso on Oct 22, 2013 at 9:18 am

      Ahuh… 4C performance pack. Comes with a roll of 3M tape. Does it work like the stickers on the lil’ ol’ Citys and Toyotas?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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