To celebrate the indissoluble link between Alfa Romeo and Nicola Larini, 1993 DTM champion with the Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI, the Stellantis Heritage department (Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia, and Abarth) has created and developed the 4C - Collezione GT “Nicola Larini”
project, which will feature three unique and spectacular models based on the supercar which brought the Biscione brand back to the USA in 2014.
The project has been unveiled today in a video (link) made in Turin at the Officine Classiche and the virtual room of the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, where Nicola Larini met up with Alessandro Ravera, Special Vehicles Operations Manager at Stellantis Heritage, and Alessandro Maccolini, the current Alfa Romeo Design Project Manager and the designer of the 4C. The video provides an exhilarating preview of these three collector’s items and highlights their exclusive look.
The decision to create this 4C tribute did not come about by chance. Nicola Larini had always expressed immense admiration for this vehicle, appreciating qualities which only a professional driver could comprehend, like its lightness, speed, reactivity, and grip. With a bold and aerodynamic design inspired by Alfa Romeo icons of the past, the 4C is a sporty vehicle with two bucket seats, rear-wheel drive, and a centrally placed engine, which is still impressive for a compact sports car today and capable of sending shivers down the spines of Alfa Romeo fans around the world.
Nicola Larini states: “What emotions do I feel when it comes to the Alfa Romeo 4C? Well, too many to name. But, honestly, I would rather speak about “sensations”, because I had the chance to fully get to know, experience, and drive it on a real proving ground like Balocco. I had the opportunity to push it to its limits there, and I understood that, despite being a road vehicle, it was made for the racetrack. Due to its capabilities, you can’t understand how secure it is until you push it to the edge. It’s also comfortable enough to be a hatchback, but features unparalleled performance, especially in terms of safety. I’ve never driven such an easy car to manage at high speeds, which is the most important thing when dealing with powerful vehicles. I think that the 4C will forever remain in the hearts of car enthusiasts and, especially, new owners of the new collection which bears my name. I hope they enjoy the very best sporty driving experience.”
Produced as part of the Stellantis Heritage "Reloaded by Creators" program, the three exclusive 4C “Nicola Larini” vehicles
are the result of changes made to preexisting cars. More specifically, the three captivating liveries chosen by Tuscan driver, Stellantis Heritage, and the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo play a key role in its look and pay homage to the Italian brand’s trademark audacity when it comes to choosing distinctive and memorable colors. In fact, the 4C - Collezione GT “Nicola Larini” was inspired by the original liveries of the iconic 1970s Giulia GT and comes in Pine Green, Plum Red, and Ochre Yellow, all of which are enhanced by white accents on the front and rear bumper...
Alessandro Maccolini explains: “Together with Nicola, we have chosen Pine Green, Plum Red, and Ochre Yellow, three colors which are part of Alfa Romeo’s history and were featured on the 1970s Giulia GT and GTV. On the 4C, the colors were slightly revisited to make them more compatible with its body. Moreover, in a nod to its racing heritage, we worked on the graphic design to produce a specific livery for each model. We listened to Nicola’s suggestions to recreate a racing feel on the interiors as well. For instance, we used a black microfiber to remove anything that could cause reflections within the vehicle, while making sure to maintain the grip required for the seat and steering wheel.”
These three lively and vibrant colors further emphasize the sculptural shape of the Alfa Romeo supercar. They are enhanced by the inclusion of Nicola Larini’s signature and the brand’s logo on the dashboard—two names bound to be associated with one another through the years—as well as by the alloy wheels which have been painted to match the livery of the vehicle. The driver’s autograph can also be found within the interiors—on the dashboard—which also feature a special upholstery with accents which recall the bodywork’s color, highlighting the uniqueness of these fascinating and special models...
Made for collectors and the brand’s fans throughout the world, the Alfa Romeo 4C “Nicola Larini” can already be ordered and will be produced, certified, and sold directly by the Stellantis Heritage department, which protects and preserves the historical heritage of the Italian brands of Alfa Romeo, FIAT, Lancia and Abarth...
Alessandro Ravera concludes: “Each of these three truly fabulous vehicles, which combine sportiness and glamour, will be accompanied by an Alfa Romeo Classiche certificate of authenticity. We’d like to recall that we have involved Larini in this new project on the occasion of the 1000 Miglia 2024, which will see him behind the wheel of our splendid 1954 Alfa Romeo 1900 Sport Spider. The return of the champ to Alfa Romeo racing has all motorsport fans excited, especially Alfisti. And today, with the 4C - Collezione GT “Nicola Larini”, we know we are providing the entire Alfa Romeo tribe with yet another unforgettable experience in the pursuit of the brand’s most cherished values.”
Nicola Larini & Alfa Romeo’s epic victories in the Touring class :
From 1992 to 2007, Alfa Romeo dominated motor racing in the Touring class—first with the 155 and then with the 156—writing unforgettable chapters in the history of motorsport with dozens of championship wins in Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Spain. The first successes came way back in 1992 with Nicola Larini’s victory in the Italian Superturismo Championship with the 155 GTA, followed one year later by the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) with the 155 V6 TI, breaking all the records in what was then considered the most prestigious championship for touring cars. In the early ’90s, the DTM grid consisted exclusively of German manufacturers. That continued until 1993, when Alfa Romeo decided to participate officially with the 155 V6 Ti driven by Alessandro Nannini and Nicola Larini, with other cars in the hands of semi-official teams. It made a sensational debut: in the first round in Zolder (Belgium), the 155 V6 Ti won both heats. By the end of the season, Larini had won 10 of the 20 races; with Nannini’s two victories, plus all the podiums and placings achieved by both Italian drivers, they earned Alfa Romeo the Constructors' title, with the Drivers’ title going to Larini. It was a real shock for the German competitors, who were forced to accept the 1993 DTM Championship being taken by an Italian brand at its debut in this top-level competition. Then came triumphs in the 1994 British Touring Car Championship and other victories in every part of the world. After the 155’s feats, in 1998 it was the turn of the 156 to continue on the road to success, winning 13 championships between manufacturers’ and teams’ drivers in a career spanning 10 years, and even taking victory in its last race in 2007 when the 156 had been out of production for some time...
Alfa Romeo 4C, Born to race :
Designed by the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, the 4C supercar immediately recalled some iconic models which had left an important mark on the brand’s history. Above all, due to its size and layout, it brought the 33 Stradale to mind—a vehicle combining extreme mechanical and functional requirements with a minimalist style which adequately “dressed” the engine and the body in unforgettable Alfa Romeo treatments. It was equipped with a brilliant direct-injection, aluminum 4-cylinder engine which, with a 1750 cm⊃3; engine capacity, produced 176 kW (240 HP) of power and was combined with "Alfa TCT" twin dry-clutch transmission and the Alfa DNA selector with Race mode. Moreover, the two-seater coupé’s unladen weight was just 895 kg and its weight-power ratio was below 4kg/HP—a record even among supercars. This was all due to the monocoque chassis in carbon fiber and the wide usage of aluminum for the body and the engine compartment and the special composite materials for the bodywork. Thanks to its reduced weight and engine power, its performance was breathtaking: 4.5 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h, a max speed of over 250 km/h, 1.1 of side acceleration on corners and 1.25 g of maximum braking deceleration. Furthermore, its four-meter length and 2.4-meter wheelbase highlighted the vehicle’s compactness on the one hand, and on the other emphasized its agility. In short, the 4C made its case of “being an Alfa” through and through, showcasing its sportiness on mixed terrain and, even more so, on the racetrack, where it provides one-of-a-kind driving sensation despite the increased demands on speed and transversal acceleration. As a demonstration of its “racing” soul, it is enough to recall one of its records: on September 12, 2013, a pre-series version of the 4C covered the 20.8 kilometers at the legendary Nürburgring racetrack in 8 minutes and 4 seconds, which is the best performance ever recorded to date for a road vehicle with a power range within 250 HP...
Alfa Romeo 4C 'Owners Club - Belgium... Copyright © ar4c-oc.be...
