Alfa Romeo 4C VS Porsche Boxster - Can An Upstart Challenge The Establishment?

Alfa Romeo is one of the most evocative names in the world of motoring, but for the last few decades, the firm hasn't had a sports car that lives up to its illustrious sporting heritage. Now it has - the Alfa Romeo 4C.

With a carbon fibre chassis, dual-clutch gearbox and a mid-engine layout, the spec sheet reads like a supercar, yet it costs less than £50,000. But how does it compare to arguably the best mid-engined sports car in the world - the Porsches Cayman? Watch our Auto Express track battle to find out.

The stunningly beautiful 4C is a return to Alfa Romeo's sports car past. With its carbon fibre chassis, it weights just 895kg while the 1.7-litre four-cylinder turbo engine produces 270bhp and 350Nm of torque.

jeffgall - 1/27/2014 1:10:38 PM

+2 Boost

Since when is Alpha an upstart?

jeffgall - 1/27/2014 1:11:11 PM

+2 Boost

Alfa that is. Spell check error

MattDarringer - 1/27/2014 9:06:54 PM

+1 Boost

The idiot on the video clearly forgot the 8C when he says, "Alfa Romeo is one of the most evocative names in the world of motoring, but for the last few decades, the firm hasn't had a sports car that lives up to its illustrious sporting heritage." It looks like a Pontiac Fiero with a Ferrariesque body kit and apparently has the refinement of a TVR. I love my TVRs, but could never get past the sheer ugliness of the Alfa.

MattDarringer - 1/28/2014 9:07:11 AM

+1 Boost

The video also showed Porsche being smooth as silk in its moves and the Alfa being on the verge of uncontrollable the entire time. Alfa needed something more refined and priced squarely in the Mustang GT / Nissan 370Z range NOT the ridiculously high asking price for a car with ZERO creature comforts. The Porsche has them standard and is still a great track car.

mini22 - 1/28/2014 10:42:34 AM

+1 Boost

Look this is Alfa first foray into the RWD semi affordable sports car arena since the mid 80's. You really cannot count the 8C because that is essentially a rebodied Maserati.The criticisms of the 4C are valid.
But it seems like a lot of these things Alfa can refine out over time.
For example Alfa could probably rework the steering geometry for more road feel. They could update the brakes. They can certainly improve the interior to make less spartan. They could give the engine more power. Porsche has been building sports cars nonstop for voer 60 years. Alfa took a 30 year break from doing it. They have some catching up to do. But you have to say the 4C is a great effort.