Alfa Romeo 4C

Buying a mid-engine Italian sports car might seem a quaint fantasy for most car buyers, short of looting one's retirement account or children's college fund. But you'd be surprised that Italian flair can be had for a relatively modest sum with the 2020 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider.

Unlike Italy's more expensive hardware, the 4C is a no-frills two-seater, which shares more in common with today's Lotus Elise than a Ferrari. After climbing over a wide doorsill, the driver drops into a thinly padded seat and similarly spartan cabin accommodations.

Alfa's obsession with keeping the 4C's weight down extends to its all-aluminum engine and exposed carpet-free, carbon-fiber tub. The 4C Spider is more notable for what it doesn't have, such as a central infotainment display. It doesn't even come with a solid removable top. You'll need to make do with a rollable fabric roof. It's all a testament to the 4C's mission of being a shockingly agile and reflexive handling machine.

For 2020, the 4C carries over unchanged, with the exception of the ultra limited-edition 4C Spider Italia variant, which offers an exclusive blue color and unique trim details. It's limited to just 15 units.

Ultimately, the 4C adds up to a hardcore sports car that offers unparalleled driver control and feedback at an elevated, but not exotic, price. You'll pay for it in other ways, however. A rough ride, heavy steering, and difficult entry and exit make simple tasks like going to the grocery store a challenge. Combined with a clunky transmission and almost nonexistent storage space, the 4C asks a lot of its driver, while rivals such as the Chevrolet Corvette, Jaguar F-Type and Porsche Boxster are far more accommodating.

Which 4C does MatoCar recommend?

The 4C Spider only comes as one model with a standard features set, but there are a handful of options for personalization. Most options are cosmetic, such as carbon-fiber interior trim accents, but a few enhance the 4C's performance credentials. The Akrapovic dual-mode exhaust is worth considering since the standard exhaust is too loud for every occasion. The super-stiff race suspension is best avoided unless you plan to drive the 4C on the track regularly. Buyers seeking more exclusivity can look to the limited-edition Alfa Romeo 4C Spider Italia. Only 15 units are slated for North America.

The 2020 Alfa Romeo 4C is powered by a turbocharged 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine (237 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque) paired to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sending power to the rear wheels.

It comes in one trim level with a modest set of standard features, highlighted by high-performance tires, a manually operated soft top, leather-trimmed interior panels, and Bluetooth. There are also a few concessions toward modern driver aids, such as a backup camera and rear parking sensors.

A handful of options allow owners to tailor the 4C to taste, including larger wheels, a stiffer race-tuned suspension, bi-xenon headlights, an upgraded exhaust system, leather seats, carbon-fiber trim accents, and an Alpine sound system (CD player, USB, satellite and HD radio) with an optional subwoofer.

A limited-edition Alfa Romeo 4C Spider Italia is also available. It's distinguished by an exclusive blue paint color, piano-black exterior trim and aluminum interior trim.