Alfa Romeo 4C: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Alfa Romeo 4C catalogue offers two closely matched versions: 1.7 TCT and 1.8 TCT. Both belong to the model’s only generation, use a central turbocharged Gasoline engine producing 240 hp and 350 Nm, and combine a 6-speed Robotic transmission with RWD. The main differences are displacement, injection system, kerb weight, top speed, fuel consumption, and CO₂ output.
The Alfa Romeo 4C catalogue offers two closely matched versions: 1.7 TCT and 1.8 TCT. Both belong to the model’s only generation, use a central turbocharged Gasoline engine producing 240 hp and 350 Nm, and combine a 6-speed Robotic transmission with RWD. The main differences are displacement, injection system, kerb weight, top speed, fuel consumption, and CO₂ output. On the supplied figures, the 1.7 TCT is the stronger choice for performance and economy: it weighs 45 kg less, reaches a top speed 1 km/h higher, and uses 0.1 l/100 km less fuel in combined driving. The 1.8 TCT has a marginally larger engine and direct injection, but its extra 8 cm³ does not produce additional power or torque.
Alfa Romeo 4C generations and versions
There is one Alfa Romeo 4C generation in the catalogue. The 1 generation ran from 2013 to 2016, used a Targa body, and contained two versions. Because both choices come from the same generation, the decision is not about a newer body or a generational redesign; it is a direct comparison between two specifications.
The 1.7 TCT was listed from 2013 to 2016, while the 1.8 TCT was listed from 2014 to 2016. No restyling is identified in the supplied data. The catalogue therefore provides no basis for claiming that one version has revised styling, different dimensions, or a substantially different chassis.
Alfa Romeo 4C engine and transmission specs
| Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Injection | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.7 TCT | 240 hp (177 kW) at 6000 rpm | 350 Nm at 2200–4250 rpm | 1742 cm³ | Gasoline, 95 | 4 | Inline | Turbo | Distributed injection (multi-point) | 6-speed Robotic | RWD |
| 1.8 TCT | 240 hp (177 kW) at 6000 rpm | 350 Nm at 2200–4250 rpm | 1750 cm³ | Gasoline, 95 | 4 | Inline | Turbo | Direct injection (direct) | 6-speed Robotic | RWD |
Each engine has 4 valves per cylinder, an 83 × 80.5 bore-and-stroke specification, and central placement. The 1.7 TCT has a 9.25 compression ratio, while the 1.8 TCT has a 9.3 ratio.
The 1.7 TCT produces approximately 137.8 hp per litre, compared with approximately 137.1 hp per litre for the 1.8 TCT. The difference is about 0.7 hp per litre in favor of the 1.7 TCT. Torque output per litre is also marginally higher: approximately 200.9 Nm per litre for the 1.7 TCT, versus 200 Nm per litre for the 1.8 TCT.
These calculations do not imply different advertised outputs: both versions still deliver exactly 240 hp and 350 Nm. The practical specification distinction is that the 1.7 TCT achieves those outputs from 8 cm³ less displacement and uses Distributed injection (multi-point), whereas the 1.8 TCT uses Direct injection (direct).
Alfa Romeo 4C performance, 0–100 and mpg
| Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.7 TCT | 4.5 seconds | 258 km/h | 9.8 l/100 km | 5 l/100 km | 6.8 l/100 km | 157 g/km |
| 1.8 TCT | 4.5 seconds | 257 km/h | 10.1 l/100 km | 5.1 l/100 km | 6.9 l/100 km | 161 g/km |
Neither version has a measured 0–60 mph figure in the supplied data; 0–60 mph is not measured. The available acceleration measurement is 0–100 km/h, and both versions complete it in 4.5 seconds.
The 1.7 TCT has a 1 km/h top-speed advantage. Its city consumption is 0.3 l/100 km lower, its highway consumption is 0.1 l/100 km lower, and its combined consumption is 0.1 l/100 km lower. It also emits 4 g/km less CO₂. Both versions meet Euro 6.
For buyers searching for Alfa Romeo 4C mpg, no mpg measurement is present in the supplied data, so mpg is not measured. The comparable catalogue figures are the l/100 km values shown above.
Alfa Romeo 4C dimensions, weight and wheels
| Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.7 TCT | 895 kg | not measured | 114 mm | 40 l | 205/45 R17, 235/40 R18, 205/40 R18, 235/35 R19 |
| 1.8 TCT | 940 kg | not measured | 114 mm | 40 l | 205/45 R17, 235/40 R18, 205/40 R18, 235/35 R19 |
The major weight difference is clear: the 1.7 TCT is 45 kg lighter than the 1.8 TCT. With equal power, the 1.7 TCT carries approximately 3.73 kg per horsepower, while the 1.8 TCT carries approximately 3.92 kg per horsepower. The lighter version therefore carries about 0.19 kg less per horsepower.
Expressed as power per tonne, the 1.7 TCT provides approximately 268.2 hp per tonne, compared with approximately 255.3 hp per tonne for the 1.8 TCT. That gives the 1.7 TCT an advantage of approximately 12.9 hp per tonne. Even so, both versions have the same measured 4.5-second 0–100 km/h result.
Gross weight is not measured for either version. Overall length, width, height, wheelbase, weight distribution, and weight limit are also not measured in the supplied data. No valid Alfa Romeo 4C size comparison can therefore be made from this catalogue entry.
Both versions have 114 mm of ground clearance and a 40 l tank. Their listed wheel sizes are identical. They also share Independent, spring suspension at the front and rear, plus Ventilated disc brakes at both ends. The supplied numbers consequently give no wheel, clearance, tank-capacity, suspension, or braking advantage to either version.
Alfa Romeo 4C reliability and known problems
Reliability, service history, failure rates, engine life, transmission-fluid intervals, and known problems are not measured in the supplied data. The catalogue cannot support a claim that the 1.7 TCT or 1.8 TCT is more reliable.
Engine code, engine manufacturer, replacement-engine availability, engine-swap compatibility, and engine-cover details are also not measured. A used-car inspection and documented maintenance history may affect an individual purchase, but those records are not part of this comparison.
Which Alfa Romeo 4C version should you buy?
Choose the 1.7 TCT if the decision is based strictly on the supplied performance, weight, and economy figures. It has the same 240 hp, 350 Nm, 4.5-second 0–100 km/h time, 6-speed Robotic transmission, and RWD layout as the 1.8 TCT, yet it is 45 kg lighter. It also reaches 258 km/h rather than 257 km/h, consumes 6.8 rather than 6.9 l/100 km combined, and emits 157 rather than 161 g/km of CO₂.
Choose the 1.8 TCT specifically if its 1750 cm³ displacement and Direct injection (direct) system are requirements. Those features distinguish it from the 1742 cm³ 1.7 TCT with Distributed injection (multi-point), but the supplied data shows no gain in horsepower, torque, or 0–100 km/h acceleration. It is also 45 kg heavier and has slightly higher consumption.
Price is not measured, and no cars-for-sale data is supplied. It is therefore impossible to calculate what any extra purchase cost buys or decide whether a price difference is justified. Without price and condition information, the numerical verdict is the 1.7 TCT: it matches the 1.8 TCT in power, torque, and acceleration while offering the better power-to-weight ratio, slightly higher top speed, and slightly lower fuel consumption.