NEWS
Alfa Romeo teases 4C
Venerable Italian brand set to unleash its most exciting car in decades – the mid-engined, turbo-propelled 4CAlfa Romeo is whetting appetites for the Geneva motor show debut of its keenly anticipated mid-engined 4C sportster by issuing this teaser shot of the car’s wheel, underscored by the claim that it will be the “car to end all cars”.
The new model will also spearhead Alfa Romeo’s return to the high-volume US market (although a relaunch date has not been set) and the company has already trademarked the 4C name in North America
First revealed as a concept at the 2011 Geneva motor show, the 4C has all the on-paper credentials to mark it as a proper driver’s car – a description that can’t genuinely be affixed to any of Alfa’s current offerings.
Housed just aft of the cabin will be a new aluminium version of Alfa’s 1742cc turbo engine. In the Giulietta Quadrifoglio this motor puts out 173kW, but that figure could be bumped as high as 220kW in the range-topping version of the 4C.
Even better news is the likelihood that the 4C will tip the scales at under 1000kg (thanks to extensive use of carbonfibre and aluminium), which will give it one of the best power-to-weight ratios of any car in its segment.
Purists may be disappointed to learn there will be no conventional manual version as a six-speed dual-clutch sequential ’box will be the only transmission offered.
It’s believed the taut, muscular proportions of the drop-dead-gorgeous concept will carry through to the production 4C, with external changes likely to be restricted to a few minor tweaks.
Alfa Romeo has not announced any target volumes for the car, saying it will be “built to demand”. Although it will be a global model, the 4C will be manufactured only in Italy.
The 4C will be offered initially only in coupe form, but an open-topped version is due to follow in 2014-15.
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Written byGautam Sharma
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If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
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