Perfection four-pot convertible | Six of the best

Anyone who says that four-cylinder convertibles can’t be glamorous sports cars has obviously never heard of the Alfa Romeo 4C. Supercar styling and carbon construction created a hype around a new Alfa Romeo in 2013 that the brand had not enjoyed for years – perhaps even decades. The powerful little 1.75 turbo, like the Giuliettas and 159s, made short work of the 4C’s sub-tonne weight and clawed its way through the DCT’s proportions as something of a rally refugee. Perfect, the 4C wasn’t memorable, that’s for sure. Modifications to the Spider made it widely considered the better 4C to drive, and there are all kinds of aftermarket support to get the most out of an exotic platform. You’re paying for the privilege of having this one basically new out of the box, but there aren’t many other cars as dramatic as a 4C. And actually none with four cylinders.

Never the purest or rawest sports car (there are plenty of them coming, don’t worry), the TT is perhaps more appealing than ever now that production has ceased. It’s not just a matter of wanting what you had when it’s gone, either: try to find a new Audi that’s better designed, better built and with a smarter interior than this one. Precisely. While the five-cylinder RS ​​will always have significant emotional appeal, the 2.0-liter S shouldn’t be ignored; much of it is carried over from the Mk7 Golf R of the era, a car still praised for its AWD capabilities. A more stylish Golf with a soft top sells the TT short, but you get the point: the bones are good. This has a very modest mileage and is supplied with a Haldex service before sale. Don’t be surprised that you like it more than you think.

Does the much-maligned Porsche 718 Boxster deserve a place on a list of great four-cylinder sports cars? Well, actually. See, the 2.0- and 2.5-liter flat fours weren’t hot hatch hand-me-downs (sorry, Audi), but bespoke Porsche engines that revved and responded like no other comparable example. The sound may have been uninspiring, but it wasn’t fair to completely dismiss the turbos because of it. The extra torque was also a joy when testing the fine chassis. This auction car is a GTS, the most powerful of them all with 365 hp, and has been recently serviced. There is also an MOT that will get you through the summer. With already more miles than most, the next owner won’t have to worry about anything other than enjoying their Porsche to the fullest. Shouldn’t be too difficult…

There aren’t many engines that become as famous as, if not more beloved than, the cars they power. It’s an even smaller list that can only claim four cylinders – and Honda has most of them. B18, K20, H22… a mystery to most, magic to those who know. The S2000 is perhaps the purest modern vision of Honda’s four-cylinder ambition, with the 9,000 rpm F20C powering a dedicated rear-drive roadster rather than a modified hatchback or sedan. Values ​​have risen enormously recently, now that these types of engines have become the domain of super exotics. While even the most ardent fans will admit that the S2000 isn’t the best sports car in the world to drive, it’s not hard to see its appeal. You can pay more than the £22,000 this Suzuka Blue retails for, or you can pay less, but in either example the S2000’s 2.0-litre USP promises to be as intoxicating as ever.

Probably the best exponent of four-cylinder sports cars that has ever existed. Think about it: during the Elise’s quarter century, there wasn’t a four-pot that didn’t match it. Modestly powered or manic K-series, 1.6 or 1.8-liter Toyota, supercharged or 8,500 rpm (or both!), they were all near-perfect powerplants for the Lotus Type 111. Happy with its lightness, keeping the capacity and number of cylinders low perfectly complemented that approach. This 135R spiced up the S2 early in its life with a ported and polished head and an ECU fettle; its spectacular track characteristics (not to mention its sheer beauty) have kept it highly sought after ever since. Never will so little power have seemed so good.

Yes, it’s another BBR MX-5. Another BBR MX-5 from PH auctions, although we make no apologies for offering this one. Purely as an MX-5 it’s a Soul Red stunner, owned by the seller since new in 2015 and with 10 main dealer services to back up the modest 27,000 miles. But it lands on this list thanks to the Super 200 upgrade, which brings to life a somewhat flat (at least in its original 160-horsepower setup) engine with punchy camshafts, ECU grease, a new manifold-to-tip exhaust and a cold air intake. As the name suggests, this means adding a further 25 percent to standard power, creating a brilliant four-cylinder sports car – here helped by better brakes, Tein suspension and upgraded ARBs. An ideal car to explore further tuning options, or to enjoy as is.