Local tuning house RGM is known for producing powerful cars. Their efforts are usually seen on German brands, but here we have an Alfa Romeo 4C than has been breathed on by the Green brothers of Johannesburg.

More powweeeeerr

The chaps at RGM have completely revamped the stock 4C powerplant. Upgrades include uprated pistons and conrods, a gas-flowed, ported cylinder head that is fed by an RGM carbon-fibre cold air intake system. The compression ratio of the engine is now 10,1:1 up from 9,25 and maximum boost has increased from 1,45 bar to 2,45 bars.

An enlarged Garrett GTX28/71R ceramic ball bearing turbo on a custom ceramic-coated turbo manifold feeds the engine, which also boasts water-methanol injection to avoid any detonation.

On RGM’s in-house dynamometer the engine produces of 388 kW of power at 6 500 r/min more than double the 177 kW the same engine produces in stock form. RGM rates peak torque at 610 N.m.

To save the drivetrain the gearbox was fitted with an oil cooler while an Alfaworks Kevlar/sintered copper button clutch helps to transfer the increased power to the road.

Tying it down

With circuit use in mind, the car is fitted with a set of Toyo 888 semi-slick tyres (265/30/19 rears and 225/40/18 fronts) on widened rims, upgraded RGM-Vari brake hook-slotted and heat-treated discs, plus high-performance brake fluid and pads. Lowered suspension is via KW Variant Three dampers with a comprehensive range of adjustments.

Click here to read about an extremely unlikely track car.

“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,” says Green. “But the reality is that there isn’t anything ‘mini’ about it anymore…this is now an authentic, red-blooded Italian supercar!”