- Alfa Romeo continues to refine its sensational 4C concept, first seen earlier this year at the Geneva auto show.
- For the Frankfurt auto show, the concept has been refinished in a "fluid metal" matte gray.
- The rear-drive two-seat coupe features a mid-mounted turbo 1.75-liter four-cylinder engine rated at more than 200 horsepower.
TURIN, Italy — Alfa Romeo continues to refine its sensational 4C concept, first seen earlier this year at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show. For the upcoming 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, the latest version of the 4C has been refinished in a "fluid metal" matte gray and should appear in near-production-ready trim.
Alfa has confirmed that the weight target remains 1,875 pounds for the two-place coupe, which is heavily inspired by the larger 8C Competizione. More than 200 horsepower is delivered to the rear wheels from a turbocharged 1,750cc four-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine, mounted amidship and lashed to Alfa's six-speed TCT twin-clutch automated manual gearbox.
The production version of the 4C is expected to go into production in late 2012 and will be sold around the world, including the U.S. It likely will be followed by a soft-top variant in 2013-'14.
Expect a starting price of around $60,000.
Inside Line says: Ahead of the Frankfurt auto show, Alfa isn't saying much more about the car, other than it "has been refined and enriched with technical contents to enhance the dynamic excellence."
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hotrodw says:
05:49 AM, 09/14/2011
I still think it looks great! Despite the weight and power difference, I would most certainly cross-shop this with the Cayman. Of course, I would also have Jag's super sexy coupe on my shopping list if it makes it to dealers looking anything like the concept (see C-X16 Concept). Based on emotion alone, I give the Jag the advantage going in.
lzks says:
05:11 AM, 09/05/2011
Why are people comparing this car to cayman? Cayman has 6 cylinders not 4, it weighs 3000lbs, not sub 2000lbs. This is more comparable to the exige with similar weight and similar power with rwd and engine in the middle. This is definitely more beautiful than exige, but comes with a hefty pricetag. Is it worth it? Well, the performance, comfort, and refinement of this car will tell the story. The fanboys below will never learn...
05stangdriver says:
01:48 AM, 09/01/2011
Holy cow! Is it just me, or did this car get WWAAAAYYYY uglier since the first version of this concept was shown, the red one?
Bleargh, yecchhh!
mcd0234 says:
09:49 PM, 08/31/2011
Not as beautiful as the 8C (not much is of course in fairness) but its nice enough. I will believe the US availability when I actually drive past an Alfa dealership since they've been promising it so long now its way past even being a joke. I am disappointed in the price quoted, what on earth are they thinking. Alfa's are sort of VW competitors in Europe, not premium but just above mainstream. $60k is way, way too expensive - they just don't deserve to be in the company of premium European car manufacturers. Alfa's have always sold on 1 thing and 1 thing only - that Italian style that was priced within reach. The performance has never been remarkable and their reliability has always been a concern, but they are almost always beautiful cars. The 8C was a one-off super-car I thought (with a lot of Ferrari DNA), this 4C better be bringing something really special to the market if they hope to sell it $60k+
higgsboson says:
08:12 PM, 08/31/2011
It's the Rosie Odonnell to the 8C's Charlize Theron.
Short. Fat. Dumpy.
Feh
lookatmyshoes says:
02:23 PM, 08/31/2011
Agree, the Cayman is getting better and better with the time. I am sure the interior will take elements of the new 911. The only thing comparable will be the price.
A great move for the fiat group would be to have a compact sports car for the masses and affordable to compete vs. the toyobaru I don't care if they sell it as Fiat or Dodge. What the US market needs is an alternative to the hot asian sports cars, with great handling, mpg but with the Italian refinement.
If its priced right will sell very well but most important will create brand loyalty this brands needs to survive in the US.
smallfield says:
01:15 PM, 08/31/2011
I like the idea of this car.
How does it only compete with a Cayman? At the curb weight it is more Lotus to me. Isn't the Cayman R still 1000lbs heavier?
I think 50 to 60K and they'll sell. The lightness will result in Elise like handling/performance. Those cars sold well enough here.
jmaroun says:
01:06 PM, 08/31/2011
Looks a bit OVT but weighing less than a ton and with a mid-engine; sounds like a winner.
Hope they get the steering right and they'll need to hit 60 in less than 5. Should be doable.
cz_75 says:
12:37 PM, 08/31/2011
This is for people who want something far better-looking than the Cayman, but I agree about reliability, probably even performance.
kkear3 says:
09:16 AM, 08/31/2011
Good luck against the cheaper, much more powerful- and far more reliable-Cayman.