South African tuner RGMotorsport says it has hiked the peak power output of a client’s Alfa Romeo 4C from the standard 177 kW to a whopping claimed 388 kW.
The Randburg-based firm says the 4C coupé now features a “radically uprated” version of the turbocharged 1,7-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, churning out 388 kW at 6 500 r/min and maximum torque of 610 N.m (up from the stock 350 N.m). No word on exactly what effect these new outputs have on the standard claimed 0-100 km/h time of 4,5 seconds.
RGM’s upgrades included the addition of Arrow Rods and Omega Pistons, a gas-flowed ported cylinder head and a carbon-fibre cold air intake system. The compression ratio of the engine has also been increased, while a larger Garrett GTX28/71R ceramic ball bearing turbocharger on a custom ceramic-coated turbo manifold has been added (with maximum boost hiked from the standard 1,45 bar to 2,45 bar). A water-methanol injection system is also part of the upgrade, while the transmission gains an oil cooler and an uprated Alfaworks clutch.
RGM says that since the owner plans on using the Alfa on the track, “measures have been put in place to prevent oil surge” during hard cornering. The widened alloy wheels are wrapped in Toyo 888 tyres (265/30/19 rear and 225/40/18 front), while the braking system has been upgraded with high-performance discs, pads and brake fluid. Furthermore, the suspension has been lowered using KW Variant Three dampers with a range of adjustments.
“This was much more than a bolt-on. In fact, we scoured the planet and carried out extensive research to find the very best components to build this engine. The internals are upgraded in every area – as one would expect of an engine designed to cope with twice the factory output,” said RGMotorsport founder, Rob Green.
“When we first took a close look at the 4C we felt that it had the makings of a ‘mini-supercar’ and set out to turn it into one. But the reality is that there isn’t anything ‘mini’ about it anymore – this is now an authentic, red-blooded Italian supercar.”
