Alfa Romeo 4C clocks 8:04 Nürburgring lap time

Typically when we report on a car lapping the Nürburgring, the time starts with a seven or even a six – but then again, the car that's achieved those lap times generally sell for six or seven figures. That's what makes this latest lap-time report as interesting as it is. Because while the mid-engined European sportscar in question has clocked in over the eight-minute mark, its price tag – and cylinder count – don't come anywhere near the kind of exotica these reports typically involve.

The car in question, of course, is the new Alfa Romeo 4C, which has reportedly clocked a Nordschleife lap time of 8:04. That would put it in stride with the Audi R8 and Porsche Cayman S, and second only to the flyweight, can't-believe-it's-still-street-legal Caterham R500 Superlight among the fastest four-cylinder cars ever to run around Green Hell.