The Alfa Romeo 4C has been revealed in its production car guise ahead of its world premiere at next month’s Geneva motor show.
Powered by a version of the 173kW 1.8-litre direct injection turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine found in the Quadrifoglio Verde version of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, upgraded with a new intake manifold and exhaust, the Alfa Romeo 4C will also get a dual clutch gearbox with paddle-shifters.
With a chassis made entirely of carbonfibre and measuring four metres long, two metres wide and 1.18m high and sitting on a sub-2.4m wheelbase, the Alfa Romeo 4C was built with the goal of achieving a power to weight ratio of less than 2.96kg/kW.
The styling, partially seen in recent spy shots, remains strongly influenced by the first 4C concept car seen at the 2011 Geneva motor show, with a highly sculptured bonnet, large side vents and individual round tail-lights. While not pictured, Alfa Romeo says carbonfibre also features inside the cabin with the car’s “central cell” made out of the lightweight material.
The 4C will also debut the company’s new Race mode for its Alfa DNA drive selector system. Continuing to offer the three existing driver selectable settings, Dynamic, Natural, and All Weather, the Italian manufacturer says the new Race mode function “is designed to enhance the driving experience on a race track even further”.
To be produced in the Maserati plant in Modena, Italy, the compact mid-engined rear-wheel drive Alfa Romeo 4C is due to go on sale later this year.
The new coupe is likely to be joined by an upcoming ‘Spyder’ version said to be badged 4C but based on an entirely different platform to be shared with the next Mazda MX-5. The move follows an agreement between Alfa Romeo and Mazda to build a pair of open-top two-seat sports cars from 2015.
The 2013 Geneva motor show kicks off on March 5.
