Car Reviews

Two ‘future classics’: Alfa Romeo 4C and Abarth 595 will still be admired in 30 years’ time

When asked which current car models had the potential to become classic collectables, two were the names which stood out in the rankings of ‘Motor Klassik’ magazine: the Alfa Romeo 4C, which won the ‘Future Classic’ competition in the coupé category for the second time, and the Abarth 595, which nabbed the title in the small displacement engine class. Italian design and racing inspired technology are destined to dominate the decades to come.

Alfa Romeo 4c.1

The modern versions of the Alfa Romeo 4C coupé, packing Formula 1 style technology, and the Abarth 595, aroused the enthusiasm of lovers of classic cars, racing inspired technology and supercar performance. Their peerless allure will last for decades to come. This is what the expert readers of ‘Motor Klassik’ think having elected Alfa Romeo 4C the ‘Future Classic’ for the second time running in the coupé category where competition is particularly stiff. The Abarth 595 won for the first time in the small displacement class. The model was by far the most voted by the over 20,000 oldtimer enthusiasts who took part in the “Motor Klassik Awards 2015”.

 

The famous magazine asked readers, most of whom are classic car owners, to say which current car models they thought had the potential to become a timeless icon. Being named a ‘Future Classic’ is an important indicator of trends on the collectable car scene of tomorrow.

Alfa Romeo 4c.2

The twice winning Alfa Romeo 4C and the rookie Abarth 595 inherit an important tradition. Other Fiat Chrysler Automobiles models received the ‘Future Classic’ title in the past. In 2009, the Alfa Romeo 159 and the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione prevailed in their respective categories, while in 2012 and 2013 one of the most coveted trophies went to the Fiat 500. Alfa Romeo was also awarded in other ‘Motor Klassik’ categories in the past. For instance, in 2012 readers picked the 1930s Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 as ‘Classic of the Year’.

abarth-595-01

The second win in the ‘Future Classic’ contest is further confirmation of the Alfa Romeo 4C’s attraction. Before this, the coupé was named ‘Best Car’ by ‘Auto Motor & Sport’ and won the ‘Auto Trophy’ title organised by ‘Auto Zeitung’ in Germany, was named ‘Car of the Year’ by FHM in the UK, and was elected simply ‘The Most Beautiful Car of the Year’ in a worldwide online survey organised by Festival Automobile in France.

Abarth 595.1

The Alfa Romeo fits the best technology derived from the racing world. With a monocoque carbon fibre cockpit and extensive use of aluminium (in the chassis and engine compartment) and special composite materials (for the body), the two-seater coupé has an empty weight of 895 kg and a weight-to-power ratio of less than 4 kilograms: that’s a record even for a supercar. Like the brand-new and nearly identical (with the obvious difference of the open top) spider version, the Alfa Romeo 4C has a direct injection four-cylinder turbo engine displacing 1750 cm³ and delivering a power of 176 kW (240 hp).

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