- An Alfa Romeo coupe concept is said to be headed for the Geneva auto show, with production beginning in 2012.
- The two-passenger 4C GTA coupe is said to be based on the chassis of the KTM X-Bow, with styling done in-house at Alfa Romeo.
- The production version of the 4C GTA is described by insiders as an affordable successor to the 8C Competizione.
TURIN, Italy — Alfa Romeo reportedly will bring to the 2011 Geneva Auto Show a new coupe concept dubbed 4C GTA that is said to be based on the KTM X-Bow and will go on sale in late 2012, priced from around $55,000 and pitched as an affordable successor to the 8C Competizione.
Rumors from Europe last year had Fiat's Abarth performance group working with KTM on an exclusive midengine two-seater aimed at the Lotus Exige. That project, reported by Britain's Auto Express and other European publications, appears to have morphed into a larger program and shifted to Alfa Romeo.
The latest report, from Automotive News Europe, describes the 4C GTA as a rear-engine, rear-drive coupe, designed in-house at Alfa Romeo's styling center and intended to serve as a "halo" vehicle for the sagging brand.
The report said the production version of the 4C GTA, due in late 2012, could be sold in the U.S. by Alfa Romeo, coinciding with the brand's return to the American market.
A teaser image of the concept released by Alfa Romeo reveals only a signature grille and logo.
A number of European Web sites have reported that the 4C GTA will be based on the latest version of the KTM X-Bow, which was previewed for the media last fall at the Nurburgring.
Power reportedly will be supplied by a turbocharged version of Fiat's 1.8-liter MultiAir four-cylinder engine, producing around 260 horsepower.
Last April, Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne revealed future product plans for each of the Italian automaker's European brands, as well as for the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep brands. His presentation on the future of Alfa Romeo indicated a replacement for the Spider due in 2013, but no indication of a new Coupe.
Inside Line says: Hopefully, the 4C GTA will bear more than a passing resemblance to Pininfarina's sensational 2010 2uettottanta concept. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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akula1 says:
04:32 PM, 02/04/2011
mk2mark says:
11:00 AM, 02/04/2011
Find this hard to believe. Alfa, part of the Fiat monolith, instead of developing their own flagship model, outsource chassis development to Australian niche-motorcycle company whose overweight mundane-engined dabble into track cars was a complete flop.
First, they are Austrian, not Australian. Second, how are they a flop? They compete in tons of events including the RoC every year and outhandle an Ariel or Caterham. Agreed about the engine, I'd prefer a rotary myself but....
mk2mark says:
11:00 AM, 02/04/2011
Find this hard to believe. Alfa, part of the Fiat monolith, instead of developing their own flagship model, outsource chassis development to Australian niche-motorcycle company whose overweight mundane-engined dabble into track cars was a complete flop.
smallfield says:
06:55 AM, 02/04/2011
First Fiat conglomerate product that I'm interested in so far. Hopefully watered down enough, but not too much. (I'd like a hard-top version as many DEs frown on open tops even with a roll cage)
Interesting they can sell this $55K, the x=bow starts at 52K euros, right?
akula1 says:
04:09 PM, 02/03/2011
Oh god. You can keep the Cinquecento. Do this right Fiat and I will become a loyalist! I've been waiting for a US XBow for ages. Time for a deposit.