Category: Alfa Romeo

Thank you Alfa Romeo.

Italian automotive icon Alfa Romeo has released these teaser images of what will become the hero model of the year, the 4C sportscar. A full reveal of the 4C will take place in a few weeks at the Geneva Motor Show. As such they’ve kept final specifications to themselves, but these pics, that’s it, that’s the real 4C that you will be able to buy.

It looks fantastic.

Actually, in truth there are a few parts of the exterior that aren’t quite right. And yet, that’s just one more piece to what will make this car the darling of the world’s motoring media. Beautiful ugly you could call it, perhaps.

What will make people really stop and take notice is the predicted performance. Let’s start with the basics, the 4C is a mid-engine, rear wheel drive sportscar that is quite squat and quite small (less than 4000mm in length, 2000mm wide and just 1180mm high). At the moment Alfa has kept quiet on the weight of the 4C, but it’s expected to weigh at around 900kg—that’s very light—so it should be very nimble.

Officially all Alfa has said regarding weight is that the car will have a power to weight ratio of less than 4kg per horsepower.

Which brings us to the engine. For now it looks as though talk of a 224kW (300hp) 1.8 litre can be quashed, as the release below confirms the 4C will use a new version of the 1750cc turbocharged motor currently found in the Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde. For round numbers, then, let’s suggest the 4C will have 250hp (185kW), that’s an increase of 15hp over the Giulietta and would result in a power to weight ratio of 3.6kg/hp (assuming a kerb weight of 900kg).

Coupled to a twin clutch transmission, a minor negative perhaps, the 4C should race through the gears increasing pace with a feeling that can only result in the broadest of smiles for the driver.

Sounds good to us. We can’t wait to learn more!

Autoblog brings the world some great interior shots of an Alfa Romeo 4C prototype which has been spied in Michigan, of all places. As you can see the dash instrumentation is fully digital and, we imagine, can be reconfigured in a number of varying combinations. Note the 6500rpm redline too.

Other interior shots show a fairly standard looking head unit (perhaps sat nav may be an option) and model specific badging near the glovebox. Pleasingly there’s a proper old skool handbrake, too, and not one of those fashionable electronic set ups.

Although, that is offset by the lack of any sort of gear shift of any kind in the centre console. There’s simply a quarter of buttons for selecting reverse, neutral, automatic, manual and the like. Peg the 4C down for a dual clutch transmission only then?

Follow the link for more pics.

[Source: Autoblog | Pic: KGP Photography]

Alfa Romeo’s development of the highly anticipated 4C sports coupé continues apace. In fact, after this prototype ended up in a ditch, you could say things are moving too fast.

There’s no details of what happened, just a short video showing the Alfa workers scratching their heads alongside the 4C. Thankfully it doesn’t appear that anything other that pride was seriously damaged.

Also making a brief appearance in the video is another prototype. Hard to tell what it is; a new Giulia or even an SUV maybe?

[Source: Carscoop]

Grainy spy shots of the latest and greatest car under development; is there anything better to build the hype and expectation for what lies beneath? Especially when inside the awkward disguise is the exquisite Alfa Romeo 4C.

This pic was taken in Turin recently and aside from serving as a reminder that the 4C is on its way, there’s not much else to tell you. And that’s okay, because we’re pretty sure nobody will ever tire of reading over the 4C’s predicted numbers. Here they are for you once again:

• Kerb weight: 900kg or less
• Engine: 1750cc turbocharged four cylinder
• Power: 170kW–224kW (depending on who you believe)
• Release date: Mid-2013

[Source: Marchettino]

The latest hot tip for the hottest supercar-in-waiting says Alfa Romeo will launch a 4C Spider version around 12 months after the coupé is released.

Mind the launch date of the 4C Coupé seems rather fluid at this stage, with earlier reports of mid-2013 now being replaced by suggestions it won’t hit the streets until early 2014.

We don’t really care when the gorgeous 4C is released, just as long as it is and Alfa can remain true to their promise of 224kW wrapped in a 900kg body.

[Source: Autocar]

It looks like there could be happy days ahead for Alfa Romeo fans with word they could be reprising the Duetto badge. Alfa Romeo is expected to build a new Spider on the next-generation MX-5 platform thanks to the newly formed Mazda–Fiat partnership.

The Duetto (please call it that) is a separate model to the mid-engined 4C that has the motoring world salivating. Although both cars could share a 1750cc turbocharged four cylinder engine with potential for up to 250hp. While the Duetto and MX-5 will share chassis components, key mechanicals, like the engine and transmission, will differ.

As with any car plans that are still a good two years away from fruition, and dare we say any plans involving Alfa Romeo, it’s best to treat anything you’ve just read with a grain of salt. Perhaps if we all sit in an e-corner, hold hands and think happy thoughts, a 21st century Duetto, deserving of the badge, will result.

[Source: Car and Driver]

The curvaceous Alfa Romeo 4C continues on its path towards a mid-2013 launch, Autocar reports. That’s not really a surprise, despite being described as a release earlier than first planned.

What is a surprise is Autocar‘s suggestion the 4C will launch with a 300hp (224kW) version of its turbocharged 1750cc engine. Don’t forget the 4C is expected to weigh around 900kg, so we’re talking genuine supercar performance here.

It had previously been tipped a lower-spec 230hp (170kW) engine would be the only option when the 4C first hits the market.

It’s no surprise the high-powered 1750cc unit has been slated for use across the Fiat Group family. That means we can expect to see it employed in models from Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Lancia.

Bring it on!

[Source: Autocar]

Alfa Romeo plans to start selling the production version of the gorgeous 4C by mid-2013 with a target price below £45,000, Top Gear reports. According to Fiat’s engineering boss, Mauro Pierallini, Alfa is currently on track to have a prototype ready for testing in around 6–7 months.

Even though the stunning concept car was a “if you build it, they will come” fantasy creation at first, it’s not expected any dramatic styling changes will have to be made for the production model. Even the carbon fibre tub of the show car should remain, although cheaper construction methods will be used for the front and rear frame, as well as the body panels.

Interestingly, the car’s target weight is now being reported as “around 900kg” which means the previously stated 850kg looks unlikely. At initial launch the 4C’s engine is expected to have around 230hp. Roughly speaking, we’re talking a power to weight ratio in line with a Porsche 911 Carrera.

Alfa hopes to sell 18,000 models over the 4C’s lifetime, which means that 300hp (224kW) engine we’ve already been excited about will likely follow later in the model’s life cycle as the range expands. Hairdressers chasing street cred, as well as style, will be pleased to know a 4C convertible is also on the drawing board.

That just leaves the price. It’s difficult to tell what £45,000 (or less) would translate to in the Australian market. However, as a reference, other cars priced in that ballpark in the UK include the BMW 1M, Porsche Boxster S and Audi TT RS Coupé. In other words, don’t expect the 4C to be a true performance bargain. Of course, that doesn’t mean it won’t be value for money!

[Source: Top Gear]