You’ve got to love the Italians right? It doesn’t matter to them if a ferocious financial crisis is plaguing Europe, they will plough on regardless, with the development a mid-engined, two-seater sports car. Alfa Romeo only produce two cars at the moment, the Giulietta and the Mito. While any other manufacturer would turn to something fashionable like a crossover utility vehicle (CUV) to shore up the struggling business, naturally, the red-blooded Italians decided a rear-wheel drive sports coupe will complement their range just perfectly.
That’s why we love Alfa Romeo and in their defence, the 4C is a car everyone is very excited about, regardless of the business outlook. It debuted in concept form more than a year ago and recently a road-going prototype was spotted on the streets of Turin. It is now also reported that a production ready 4C will descend upon the 2013 Geneva Motor Show next March. A roadster version of the 4C is on the drawing board as well and it should be ready by 2015 at the latest. Of course, based on Fiat-Chrysler CEO, Sergio Marchionne’s, unreliable timelines of the past, it is reasonable to take any news about future Alfa Romeo plans with a pinch of salt.
The project is said to be at a very advanced stage of development however and is vital to Alfa Romeo’s re-entry into the U.S. market. Gauging the 4C on its concept details, it will be powered by Alfa Romeo’s 1 750 cc turbocharged petrol four-cylinder engine. Combined lightweight materials such as carbon fibre (we seriously doubt wholesale use of carbon will make it into production) the weight will be kept below 1 000 kg. It will have a double-clutch automatic gearbox and around 220 kW.
