With its turbocharged 1.75-liter four-cylinder engine and sub-900 kg kerb weight, the Alfa Romeo 4C has proven itself to be quite an impressive performer. For hillclimb racer Marco Gramenzi, however, a standard 4C simply isn’t enough.
For the 2017 Italian hillclimb championship, Gramenzi will compete in a totally bespoke 4C produce by Picchio Racing. Prior to its competitive debut next year, Gramenzi took the Italian beast to the Trofeo Vallecomoncia hillclimb and understandably, it left spectators stunned.
The only original parts from the 4C that have been maintained include the sport’s car’s carbon fiber chassis as well as some of the exterior panels. The 1.75-liter engine has also been maintained, but it has been modified to now deliver a rather absurd 600 hp at 8,200 rpm and 580 Nm of torque at 7,500 rpm.
All of that power is sent to the rear wheels courtesy of a sequential transmission from Hewland.
As with most other hillclimb cars, Gramenzi’s 4C focuses extensively on maximizing downforce. As such, it has an absolutely massive rear wing and diffuser dominating the rear end. There’s also a splitter protruding from out of the front bumper, a large roof scoop and distinctive side skirts engineered to improve airflow.