Alfa Romeo's 4C concept. Image: Alfa Romeo
For fan of the Alfa Romeo brand, its return to the United States can’t happen fast enough. The same holds true for parent company Fiat, where Alfa Romeo’s aging product line isn’t contributing as expected to the bottom line. New cars, destined for the U.S. market, will help to change that, and none is more eagerly awaited than the 4C mid-engine, rear drive sport coupe.
As Left Lane News reminds us, the 4C debuted in concept form at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The concept was a stunner, and the idea of an affordable (or semi-affordable, depending upon your perspective) Italian sports car spread like wildfire. The 4C will likely be priced in Corvette territory, and will feature a carbon fiber monocoque wrapped in carbon composite materials. Power will come from a 1.75-liter turbocharged four, said to be good for 296 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of around 4.5 seconds.
Alfa Romeo's 4C concept. Image: Alfa Romeo
Britain’s Autocar is reporting that the production version of the Alfa Romeo 4C could debut next summer, not at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show as originally projected. If that’s the case, production cars could hit dealer inventory by the end of 2013, or in early 2014.
We say it’s still a roll of the dice, since Fiat head Sergio Marchionne is known to be a perfectionist when it comes to new models. The 4C will be a flagship car meant to resurrect an historically significant brand, so it’s even more critical that Alfa gets the car right the first time. Color us cautiously optimistic, if not convinced.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
