(September 18, 2013) The lightweight sport coupe Alfa Romeo 4C will go on sale in Europe in October with first deliveries early in 2014. Alfa says the sports car is an uncompromised thoroughbred that will also be sold in the United States. Speculation is that 500 of the expected 3,500 model run for 2014 will reach North American shores.



Alfa says its "natural beauty" is defined by function; the need to wrap the engine and chassis in a compact, aerodynamically-efficient shape, making it a worthy descendent of one of the most beautiful coupés of all time: the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

Designed and engineered by Alfa Romeo and built at the Maserati plant in Modena, Italy, the mid-engined Alfa Romeo 4C employs the latest technologies of Alfa Romeo's newest models: The new, all-aluminum 1750 Turbo gas engine; the latest-generation "Alfa TCT" dry twin clutch transmission and theAlfa DNA driving mode selector — now with a new “Race” mode.



Carbon-fibre was chosen for the one-piece monocoque due its high levels of structural rigidity and exceptionally low weight and is built using sophisticated Formula 1-derived technologies, evolved especially for Alfa Romeo for series production. SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound), which is lighter than both steel and aluminum, is used for the bodywork while even the thickness of the glass has been slimmed down by 15% to help reduce the Alfa Romeo 4C’s overall weight.

The 4C will be powered by a new 1.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with an aluminum block and head generating 240 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

Less than 160 inches in length and with a wheelbase of 93 inches, the Alfa Romeo 4C’s compact shape accentuates its remarkable agility: With a dry weight of 1,900 pounds and a 40:60 front-to-rear weight distribution, the 4C is capable of generating 1.1g of lateral acceleration and in excess of 1.2g of deceleration force.

To optimize handling, its double-wishbone front suspension is secured directly to the monocoque while the rear uses a performance-tuned McPherson arrangement. The brakes, engineered with track use in mind, employ a patented aluminum/cast iron hybrid construction complete with ventilated, cross-drilled 305mm/292mm discs (F/R) clamped by Brembo calipers. Seventeen-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels are standard, while 18/19-inch wheels with Alfa Romeo’s signature, five-hole “telephone dial” design are optional.

Accelerating from 0 to 62 mph takes just 4.5 seconds and top speed is 160 mph.

Being an Alfa Romeo, the driving experience is more than just raw statistics. The exhaust has been tuned to emit a full, rich sound and particular attention paid to the seat design so the movement and reactions of the car can be "felt" properly. The steering, unassisted, is progressive, direct and engineered to convey as much feedback and feel as possible. The steering ratio (16.2) is such as to allow 90% of bends to be taken without having to take your hands off the steering wheel. Both brake and throttle responsiveness have also been tuned to match with the dynamic nature of the Alfa Romeo 4C.

Inside the Alfa Romeo 4C, the exposed carbon-fibre chassis and driver-oriented controls leave you in no doubt as to the purposeful nature of the car. In place of traditional dials, a multi-function, digital display occupies the instrument binnacle and the steering wheel is a bespoke, flat-bottomed, two-spoke item with integrated paddle gear-shifters.

The remaining controls are grouped together on the tunnel console, including the button-operated TCT transmission selector and the DNA system selector, which alters the operational parameters of the engine, transmission, ESC and electronic Q2 differential depending on the driver’s requirements. Composite bucket seats and aluminum pedals complete the minimalistic, drive-focussed cabin.

The all-new Alfa Romeo Romeo 4C goes on sale in the UK in October priced from £45,000 (about $71,000) on the road, with first deliveries expected early in 2014.

No U.S. price has been set, but expect it to exceed $80,000.