If you first encountered the Alfa-Romeo 4C from the inside, you might well be thinking: this is another disappointing car from the Milan-based firm. Poor quality plastics and a variety of other flimsy materials compose the interior, while the radio is underwhelming, and getting a decent view out the back is near-impossible.
But if you espied the 4C from the outside, you might well think it's one of the finest Alfas to come out of Milan for years. Only it doesn't come out of Milan; this sweeping, architectural beauty was built in Modena by Maserati (both marques are owned by Fiat-Chrysler). And at least as far as the exterior is concerned, the supercar maker has not cut any corners.
So we can just about forgive the 4C its pound-shop interior. And when we fire up the engine, worries over shoddy coachwork will melt away like a gelato in the midday sun, vanish like a good Chianti, disappear into the distance as quickly as this 160mph dream machine will move its lucky owner.
It's a visceral ride that rockets from nought to 62mph in just 4.5 seconds, powered by a 240bhp, 1,750cc turbo engine that sits behind the driver like a growling cheetah in search of its dinner.
At £45,000 this particular cat is not cheap, but as the best car Alfa Romeo has produced for years, it's likely to inspire real hunger in Alfa and Italian sports car lovers everywhere.
For any of our breakdown insurance customers in the market for a 4C, this monster from Modena is available to buy now.
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