Alfa Romeo - The 4C Prototype model

This model, the 4C Alfa Romeo concept car, has an aggressive front, like most Alfa's.  The shape is like a bullet, which makes it better aerodynamical.

The design of cars always seems in conflict with it's surrounding environment because it has to fight air resistance and road friction to move but it's Lava Red Body emphasises such conflict anyway.
The process of such a creative concept started as most other sports car designs, from the designer's pencil sketches, done on the drawingboard.  These sketches show all emphases and enthusiasm on the dynamic body shape, showing the streamlined shape and each sketch improves on the one before.

Last final sketches integrate one's feelings and conviction for a successful design and for having a unique shape.  After all these sketches, the designer started a technical design.  These show the relevant precise details and measurements of this concept car in 2D.

Once the technical design is completed, the design is formed into a 3D concept by making it into a clay model.  This was done to a scale of 3/8 of the real final product.  The Alfa 4C, with its curves and smooth lines is taking shape.

An actual hard model looking like the final real concept car is made.  It is 4m long and has a wheel base of 2.4m.

The final real model is made of a carbon fibre chassis with a floor pan that includes space for seats.

Aluminium is used at the back and at crash boxes, to help make the car lighter.  This is like carbon fibre chassis and getting the best centre of gravity.

This bring again the conflict between the powerful agressive performance expected of the racing car with its light body and shape that hide "Maximum agility and road holding is achieved through sofisticated suspensions."

The strong and agressive performance is because of a turbo  concept car having strong volumes and cross sections at rears and at the front having to long muscles that give rise to two front wings and a ' V'shape on the bonnet ending in a distinctive badge.

Maximum agility and road holding is achieved through sofisticated suspensions.

The strong and agressive performance is because of a turbo petrol engine placed in the centre which can accelerate 0 to 100km in just under 5 seconds.

The designer's sketch becomes the powerful car, ready to take on the fight with the environment to be the fastest.

available at: http://www.alfaromeo.com/com/#/design/4c-concept [Accessed 10th November 2012]