Alfa Romeo crowns 4C range with Competizione LE

ALFA Romeo Australia has a new flagship, the 4C Competizione Limited Edition (LE), but with only 10 examples of the mid-engined sportscar available to purchase, it will not be around for long.

Part of a global production run of 108 units, the Competizione LE is based on the full-time 4C Coupe but costs a considerable $30,900 more, at $119,900 plus on-road costs.

Other than exclusivity, buyers are compensated for the extra spend with an anti-social bi-modal Akrapovic exhaust system and a central carbon-fibre tailpipe surround, with full noise available in the Competizione LE’s Race driving mode.

These enhancements are complemented by sports suspension, which consists of double wishbones up front and MacPherson struts at the rear.

The mechanical upgrades are rounded out by dark-finish alloy wheels that feature Alfa Romeo’s signature five-hole design and measure 18 and 19 inches at the front and rear respectively.

The rims are wrapped in Pirelli tyres, while red-painted brake callipers sit behind, with the front stoppers afforded extra cooling via the Competizione LE’s extra set of air intakes, which are integrated into its front bumper.

These key upgrades form the Racing Pack that is available on the ‘regular’ 4C Coupe and its removable-hardtop Spider sibling for $10,000, although the red-painted brake callipers are a separate $1000 option.

Externally, the Competizione LE steps up with its Vesuvio Matte Grey paintwork that is punctuated by a black livery with red highlights that extends from the bonnet to the bootlid.

The Competizione LE’s racing intent is further highlighted by the use of exposed carbon-fibre for its side-mirror covers, roof panel, side air intakes and rear spoiler, which add to the lightweight bi-LED headlight clusters that carry over from the 4C Coupe.

Inside, the Competizione LE’s sports steering wheel and two sports seats are upholstered in black leather and microfibre, and contrasted with red stitching.

Additionally, an individually numbered ‘4C Competizione’ aluminium build plate features on the centre console, while a similarly branded aluminium insert graces the dashboard.

If the soundtrack provided by the bi-modal Akrapovic exhaust system is not to owners’ tastes, the Competizione LE’s upgraded Alpine sound system should be able to drown it out at full blast.

Its subwoofer is centrally mounted behind the two sports seats, while an amplifier is located in the passenger-side footwell.

Like the 4C Coupe, the Competizione LE is motivated by a mid-mounted 1.7-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine that produces 177kW of power at 6000rpm and 350Nm of torque from 2200-4250rpm.

These outputs are exclusively sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Matching the comparable 4C Coupe, the Competizione LE sprints from standstill to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds while on the way to its top speed of 258km/h.

This sportscar-rivalling acceleration is enabled by the 4C Coupe’s 1025kg tare mass, which makes it significantly lighter than its rivals, including Porsche’s 718 Cayman, with a carbon-fibre shell and aluminium sub-frames contribute to its lightweight status.

“Bringing together Alfa Romeo DNA, performance and enviable Italian design in a full carbon theme, the 4C Competizione will speak to the hearts of Alfistis, racing lovers and first-time supercar buyers alike,” said Alfa Romeo Australia director of brand and product strategy Guillaume Drelon.

“This baby supercar is a statement, not only because of its looks, but because of the specification enhancements that deliver exceptional performance.”

4C sales have remained low this year, with just 13 examples sold to the end of July – a 23.5 per cent decrease over the 17 deliveries made during the same period in 2018.

As such, the 4C is the 15th best-selling model in the $80,000-200,000 sportscar segment, trailing the both of its direct rivals, the aforementioned 718 Cayman (76 units) and Alpine’s reborn A110 (17).