Zender Alfa Romeo 4C is a Juiced up Junior Supercar [w/ Video]

Prior to the arrival of the Alfa Romeo 4C, carbon-fiber-tubbed mid-engine sports cars were, without exception, mega-money and mega horsepower missiles attainable only my the super rich. The 4C flips that script by going with a small turbocharged four cylinder and a price tag that makes it attainable by the merely rich. So who is Zender to claim it can make this good little Italian thing even better?

Well, for one thing, Zender is a German tuner that has been around since 1969, so it didn’t just fall off the metaphorical turnip truck. For another thing, the company had added quite a few parts aimed at enhancing this Alfa’s performance and appearance. There’s a rather subtle body kit featuring, among other things, front and side valence extensions and a rear lip spoiler. Zender also added a new set of wheels, and put in a pop-up carbon fiber sunroof/vent. Inside, the seats, door panels and other key surfaces receive Alcantara inserts.

And in case you were worried Zender forgot about the turbocharged 1.7L inline-four, you’ll be pleased to know that the firm most certainly hasn’t. An ECU tune bumps output to 271 horsepower and 295 lb.-ft of torque, which the company says is sufficient to lob this pint-sized exotic to 62 mph in 4.3 seconds and onto a top speed of 165 mph. All in all, there’s a lot to love about Zender’s tuning package for the Alfa Romeo 4C. We’re wondering how many people will spend their money on this instead of a stock “big boy” supercar.

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